Tom DeSylvia (Sep. 29, 1924 – Dec. 6, 2002) was an outstanding football player at Oregon State but is best known for his success coaching Jefferson High School, including, perhaps, the best teams in Oregon prep history.
As a player, Tom DeSylvia was a four-year letterman for Oregon State football teams, playing guard on the offensive line. He was named to the All-Coast second Team and received an All-American honorable mention. In 1949, DeSylvia was voted Beavers team captain and played in the East-West Shrine game. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles.
As a coach, DeSylvia won seven state championships in football, baseball and track. At Jefferson he accumulated a nine-year record in football of 74-15-1 and won back-to-back state championships in 1957 & 1958. Those seasons were part of a 34-game win streak, the longest in Oregon large-school history. Jeff football won a total of seven straight PIL titles. The 1958 team is considered one of the best teams in Oregon history featuring the Renfro brothers and future Heisman trophy winner Terry Baker. The Democrats won were undefeated over three total seasons until the 1959 state final loss to Medford.
Tom took a shot at the college ranks leading Porland State for one season in 1962 then returned to the high school level, coaching at both David Douglas and Grant until his retirement.
He won multiple awards, including league Coach of the Year, and he is one of the original founders of Oregon Pop Warner football. Tom DeSylvia is a member of the PIL and Oregon State halls of fame.