Member Biography

A native of Ironwood, Michigan, Brock Strom attended Indiana University before transferring to the Air Force Academy where his name was synonymous with football success. In 1958, the 6-0, 217-pound tackle became the Academy's first All-American football player and the Associated Press described him as "the bulwark of the team that almost literally came from outer space to go through the season undefeated and land in the Cotton Bowl opposite Texas Christian on New Year's Day." Strom was captain of the unbeaten Falcons (their record tainted only by a 13-13 tie with Rose Bowl bound Iowa), and he was known for his leadership ability and hard-nose football. He blocked and tackled with authority and, according to Falcon coach Ben Martin, was a captain in every sense of the word. The game Strom most remembers was against Iowa. Before the season began, the Falcons were picked to lose 50-0. Iowa had come from behind to tie 13-13 in the last quarter. Strom served in Southeast Asia and was decorated with two Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Bronze Stars, and three Air Medals. He served as Deputy of the Space Defense Systems in Los Angeles, responsible to the Secretary of the Air Force for the entire U.S. Space Defense Program. In Strom's first year at the academy, 1955, the players were all freshmen. They played freshman teams of other colleges. Strom was co- captain of the teams of 1955, 1957, and 1958