Cal Poly Athletics Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 1987
Thomas Kline is one of the most accomplished wrestlers in Cal Poly history. His achievements include four conference championships, two Division II national titles and the first-ever Division I National Championship at Cal Poly, the 191-pound title in 1969.
While at Cal Poly he was an honor student, graduating in 1970 with a bachelor's degree in English, and was recognized as the Cal Poly Alumni Association's 1980 Honored Alum. Tom has been active in athletic fundraising and has served as Supporters of Mustang Athletic Teams (SUMAT) President.
He led Cal Poly to national Division II team championships in both 1968 and 1969. The 1969 nationals were held in the Mott Athletics Center.
Tom coached high school football and wrestling before passing away in April 2017 at the age of 70.
He once held the world record in the bench press in his age group and was owner and president of Thomas Kline Associates, an insurance company in Carlsbad, Calif. Publisher of several books, Kline was a board member with the Boys & Girls Club of San Diego.
Kline was survived by his wife Vilma and five children.
