Colorado Mesa University Athletics

Information as of 1996:  Tolman graduated from Delta High School in Utah in 1930, where he played football and ran track. Tolman attended Utah State Agricultural College where he played football and track, receiving all conference honors in both sports. Tolman coached both high school and junior college football teams in St. George, Utah - the same year, and both were champions. Tolman coached track, football and basketball at Mesa in the 1940's. He held the positions of Athletic Director, Dean of Students and Vice President of Student Affairs at Mesa. He was elected to the Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1982, and awarded the National Junior College Certificate of Service in 1969. The Jay W. Tolman Residence Hall is named in his honor. According to Sam Suplizio, "there would be no NJCAA World Series in Grand Junction," if not for the efforts of Jay Tolman. It is fitting that Tolman be one of the first inductees into the Mesa State College Hall of Honor for all his contributions to Mesa State College.