Tom Kozelko established himself as one of the University of Toledo's most accomplished basketball players during his collegiate career from 1971-1973. He ranks as the second-highest scorer in Toledo history with 1,561 points, achieving this mark in just three varsity seasons due to freshman eligibility rules of the era.

Kozelko's impact was immediate at Toledo, where he helped lead the Rockets to the 1971-72 Mid-American Conference Championship. His individual accolades include being named First-Team All-MAC twice and earning MAC Player of the Year honors in both 1972 and 1973.

Tournament success marked Kozelko's career at Toledo. As a sophomore, he was named Most Valuable Player and selected to the all-tournament team at the Sugar Bowl Classic. He repeated these honors at the Michigan Invitational in both his junior and senior seasons.

Following his outstanding 1972 season, Kozelko was selected as one of 66 players to compete for a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team. He earned alternate status for the squad that competed in Munich, Germany.

His professional career began when he was selected in the third round of the NBA draft by the Washington Bullets. Kozelko played with the Bullets from 1973-1976. In 1977, he continued his professional career in Italy until a back injury led to his retirement from the sport.

Before his collegiate success, Kozelko played his high school basketball at Central High School in Traverse City, Michigan. His achievements and contributions to University of Toledo athletics were recognized with his 1983 induction into the UT Athletics Hall of Fame.

Throughout his career, Kozelko demonstrated consistent excellence as both a scorer and team player. His accomplishments at Toledo—including his scoring prowess, consecutive MAC Player of the Year selections, and leadership during the program's championship season—established him as one of the most significant figures in the university's basketball history. His success extended beyond college to both the national and international levels, from his selection as an Olympic alternate to his professional career in the NBA and European basketball.