James “JT” Thomas, earlier linebacker of the West Virginia Mountaineers, might be inducted into the Slight League Soccer Info Hall of Fame on Thursday, December 6, 2007 on the Oasis Trip resort Resort & On line on line casino in Mesquite, Nevada.
Thomas’ nomination was reviewed by the MLFN’s Board of Administrators, and he been given notification of his acceptance on July 30.
“It’s truly an honor to be acquiring this award,” acknowledged Thomas. “I owe an enormous thanks to anybody for supporting me by way of the a number of years.”
Thomas has made use of sturdy administration abilities, tireless function ethic, and fervour for the game to show right into a driving strain within the development and promoting of minor league and semi-qualified soccer all through the Midwest.
The story of JT Thomas’ soccer vocation may be damaged into three distinctive chapters: participant, coach, and authorities. Thomas’ collegiate vocation began off at Fort Scott Group College (Kansas) in 1992. Subsequent his sophomore yr, Thomas transferred to West Virginia Faculty (WVU).
In two seasons at Fort Scott – each as group captain – Thomas gained two All-Kansas Jayhawk Convention honors at exterior linebacker and Defensive Participant of the Recreation in 1992’s Valley of the Sunshine Bowl. At within linebacker for WVU, Thomas gained two Mountaineer Membership Awards for on-subject excellence, attained two All-Large East workforce honors, and received Defensive Participant of the Sport within the 1994 CarQuest Bowl. He additionally led each groups in tackles each time.
A profitable college occupation led Thomas to the semi-professional soccer circuit in 1996 with the Charleston Rockets, the place by he was capable of take pleasure in with earlier WVU great Essential Harris. Returning to outdoors linebacker, Thomas led the crew in tackles and grew to turn into a league All-Star because the Rockets completed their 11-sport frequent interval 10-1. Thomas tried to have his good outcomes from semi-pro ball to the Area Soccer League in 1997 with the Albany Firebirds, however sustained a vocation ending leg hurt on the third working day of education camp.
As a substitute of a helmet and pads, the up coming transfer of Thomas’ soccer vocation highlighted a headset and clipboard. Proper after a stint as Defensive Coordinator for a championship group of 13-16 yr olds, Thomas returned to semi-pro soccer in 2000 as Head Mentor of the West Virginia WHAM! Positioned in Morgantown, WV, Thomas compiled a .695 worthwhile share (41 wins, 18 losses), acquired 3 Coach of the Calendar yr awards, and coached three league All-Star video video games in 6 seasons as WHAM! head coach.
In 2001, Thomas additionally led the WHAM! to the Mid-Ohio Soccer League (MOFL) Championship.
In the midst of the 2003 yr, Thomas took round entire possession of the WHAM! When he stepped off the WHAM! sideline in 2005, he made the choice to alter his focus full-time within the path of creating the achievements of semi-experienced soccer and the WHAM! franchise. Within the two yrs contemplating that he has stopped teaching, Thomas has held govt positions throughout the Ohio Valley Soccer League and the MOFL. In January of 2007, Thomas was promoted to MOFL Commissioner.
Right now, Thomas oversees the day-to-working day features of the MOFL – an rising, 10-workforce semi-pro league all through Ohio, Michigan, and Kentucky. His like for semi-expert soccer is matched solely by his drive to see the MOFL – and nearly each slight league soccer group – create a soccer merchandise that’s aggressive, structured, designed, and entertaining for the players within the exercise and the admirers within the stands.
Thomas additionally serves as a Semi-Skilled Sports activities Advertising and marketing advisor with League Degree, LLC, a company that gives promoting and advertising strategies for firms with an emphasis in newbie and semi-professional athletics.
He presently resides in Morgantown, WV, together with his partner Rochelle and two youngsters, Jared, 3, and AJ, 10 months. Thomas additionally has son, JT Thomas III, from a earlier partnership.