As a pioneer for women's track at Oregon, Tom took the program from its infancy to one of the most powerful names in women's distance. Tom coached NCAA champions and collegiate record-holders at every distance from 800-meters to 10,000-meters. He coached Annette Peters in college and beyond, leading her to an NCAA 5000m title in 1988, a spot on the U.S. Olympic team in 1992, and an American Record in the 5000m in 1993, when she became the first American woman to break 15:00. He guided his athletes to 15 NCAA/AIAW titles, 108 All-America honors and 55 Pac-10/NorPac Conference titles in track and field. Many of his athletes went on to have post-collegiate success, with three American records, 17 Olympic appearances, 10 World Championships invites, 12 U.S. national track and field titles, 22 World Championships cross country invites, and five U.S. cross country crowns. His 1985 track team won the NCAA championship.

As an athlete, Tom enjoyed an equally successful career. A graduate of Robbinsdale High School, Tom first showed his athletic talent by finishing 5th at the MSHSL Cross Country State Meet and runner-up in the State mile. After graduation, he became a member of Roy Griak's first recruiting class at the University of Minnesota in 1963. As a Gopher, Tom was a member of the 1964 Big Ten champion cross country team, finishing fourth individually. Before his U of M career was over, Heinonen would win a Big Ten title at three-miles and earn All-American distinction at three-miles and six-miles. Tom continued racing after college, clocking the fastest marathon time by an American in 1968 (2:18:30), representing the USA at the World Cross Country Championships the same year, and winning the 1969 AAU Marathon title. His wife, Janet, also had a successful running career, and went on to write a regular column for Runner's World as well as pen several books on running. His son Erik and his daughter Liisa both ran at the NCAA level.

Tom has now brought similar success to the club setting. Beginning with a small corps of runners in 2003, he has built the program both in size and ability. In 2007, he added two more national championships to his tally, taking home NIRCA cross country championships for both men and women. He has guided Club athletes who have gone on to join the NCAA team at Oregon as he molded the Club into a group that has beaten NCAA Division I teams in cross country team competition.