Tom Collins made his collegiate debut when he stepped into the Rutgers-Camden starting lineup for the Scarlet Raptors’ second game of the 2006 season. The Raptors posted a 3-0 shutout over Neumann College in that contest on Sept. 6, and Collins appeared in every game the rest of the way. By the time his freshman season was over, he had played in 22 games, starting 18, and had established himself as one of the top young defenders in the New Jersey Athletic Conference.

        Collins helped Rutgers-Camden post 10 shutouts and a 0.70 goals-against average, the second-lowest GAA in program history. His stellar post-season play helped Rutgers-Camden capture the ECAC Division III Metro Men’s Soccer Championship, allowing only one goal over a three-game run to the title.

        Collins was a three-year soccer standout at Lenape High School for Coach Jack Earl. He also earned one varsity track letter with the Indians. As a senior with the Indians in 2005, Collins earned First Team Olympic Conference American Division honors. The Courier-Postnewspaper also named him to its All-Group 4 Second Team and he capped his career being named to the Soccer Coaches Association of New Jersey All-State Second Team.

        An Engineering major at Rutgers-Camden, Tom is the son of Dora and Tom Collins of Mt. Laurel.