JT Thomas Inducted Into Slight League Football News Corridor of Fame

James “JT” Thomas, former linebacker of the West Virginia Mountaineers, will be inducted into the Minor League Soccer Information Corridor of Fame on Thursday, December 6, 2007 at the Oasis Resort Hotel & Casino in Mesquite, Nevada.

Thomas’ nomination was reviewed by the MLFN’s Board of Directors, and he obtained notification of his acceptance on July 30.

“It is definitely an honor to be receiving this award,” stated Thomas. “I owe a major thank you to absolutely everyone for supporting me as a result of the several years.”

Thomas has utilised powerful leadership skills, tireless get the job done ethic, and passion for the match to come to be a driving pressure in the advancement and marketing of slight league and semi-skilled soccer throughout the Midwest.

The tale of JT Thomas’ football vocation can be damaged into three distinctive chapters: player, mentor, and government. Thomas’ collegiate vocation began at Fort Scott Neighborhood University (Kansas) in 1992. Pursuing his sophomore year, Thomas transferred to West Virginia College (WVU).

In two seasons at Fort Scott – the two as crew captain – Thomas gained two All-Kansas Jayhawk Meeting honors at outside the house linebacker and Defensive Player of the Match in 1992’s Valley of the Sun Bowl. At within linebacker for WVU, Thomas gained two Mountaineer Club Awards for on-discipline excellence, acquired two All-Big East workforce honors, and won Defensive Player of the Game in the 1994 CarQuest Bowl. He also led each groups in tackles each and every period.

A successful university job led Thomas to the semi-professional soccer circuit in 1996 with the Charleston Rockets, the place he was equipped to engage in with former WVU excellent Significant Harris. Returning to outside linebacker, Thomas led the crew in tackles and became a league All-Star as the Rockets finished their 11-match typical year 10-1. Thomas tried to carry his achievements from semi-pro ball to the Arena Football League in 1997 with the Albany Firebirds, but sustained a profession ending leg injuries on the third working day of coaching camp.

As an alternative of a helmet and pads, the next action of Thomas’ football profession featured a headset and clipboard. Just after a stint as Defensive Coordinator for a championship crew of 13-16 12 months olds, Thomas returned to semi-professional soccer in 2000 as Head Coach of the West Virginia WHAM! Positioned in Morgantown, WV, Thomas compiled a .695 successful share (41 wins, 18 losses), won a few Mentor of the Calendar year awards, and coached three league All-Star games in 6 seasons as WHAM! head coach.

In 2001, Thomas also led the WHAM! to the Mid-Ohio Football League (MOFL) Championship.

During the 2003 season, Thomas took above total possession of the WHAM! When he stepped off the WHAM! sideline in 2005, he made the decision to change his focus full-time to acquiring the achievement of semi-qualified football and the WHAM! franchise. In the two many years due to the fact he has stopped coaching, Thomas has held government positions inside the Ohio Valley Football League and the MOFL. In January of 2007, Thomas was promoted to MOFL Commissioner.

At present, Thomas oversees the day-to-day functions of the MOFL – an growing, 10-group semi-professional league throughout Ohio, Michigan, and Kentucky. His appreciate for semi-specialist football is matched only by his need to see the MOFL – and every single small league football group – deliver a football product that is competitive, structured, developed, and entertaining for the players in the activity and the lovers in the stands.

Thomas also serves as a Semi-Specialist Sporting activities Specialist with League Level, LLC, a enterprise that supplies internet marketing and advertising methods for businesses with an emphasis in newbie and semi-skilled athletics.

He at the moment resides in Morgantown, WV, with his wife Rochelle and two young children, Jared, 3, and AJ, 10 months. Thomas also has son, JT Thomas III, from a previous connection.