Recognized as the New York Metropolitan area's outstanding player, Tom Sullivan was honored as co-recipient of the prestigious Haggerty Award in 1972. As a junior he performed as an undersized center on Digger Phelps 1971 NCAA team at Fordham. During his years on the hardwood at Rose Hill he played under three different coaches. His outstanding career led to a New York Knicks draft selection before he opted to play professional in Switzerland and Puerto Rico.
 
Upon leaving the playing ranks, Sullivan served as an assistant coach at Hunter College, at Fordham, and at New Hampshire College. He also served nine seasons as the head coach and athletic director at New Hampshire College boasting a 151-98 mark. During this time, he led the squad to two NCAA Division II New England Region Championships in 1979-80 and 1980-81. He earned regional coach of the year honors both of those seasons.