He was always watching BHS sporting events, even though he wasn’t in the stands
Tom Clark left Bluffton after high school, but Bluffton never left Tom.
The son of Jim and Mary Clark, he grew up with older brother, Steve, in the family house on North Main Street where Riley tees into Main. He graduated from BHS in 1977.
• Watch a video below with 4 U.S. referees, including Tom, working Junior World Championships in Romania in 2011.
• Click here to view his obituary.
The BHS Cappy Clark Award, given to the outstanding male and female senior, is named in honor of Tom's father.
Surprisingly, Tom was vice president for a company that makes fruit baskets that resemble flower arrangements.
Tom made a name for himself in the sport of wrestling:
• an official for 35 years in Ohio and Indiana
• 1988 USA Wrestling Official of the Year
• Referee at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games
• Worked dozens of World Championships and major international competitions at the Senior level
• board member of the U.S. Wrestling Officials Association, and current USWOA vice-president
• active in USA Wrestling programs in Indiana and Ohio
• named 2005 ISWA Official of the Year
• received Indiana Interscholastic Athletic Officials Association Award for excellence in wrestling in 2007
Rich Bender, USA wrestling director, said this of Tom: "He is one of the true 'good guys' in the sport of wrestling. Tom's friendly and fun-loving spirit will be deeply missed. He was a true lover of the wrestling sport, deeply committed to helping others.”
He commitment to wrestling was at all levels, from youth to high school and on the international level.
According to USA Wrestling, Tom retired from international officiating after the Beijing Games, because he wanted to open up opportunities at the highest level for young, talented officials.
In a personal note, Tom was an avid Bluffton Icon viewer. Nearly ever time the Icon posted the score of a BHS varsity game – win or lose – Tom would “like” the story.
He was always watching Bluffton sporting events, even though he wasn’t in the stands.
Stories Posted This Week
Saturday, November 23, 2024
- Owen D. Ziessler worked for Accubuilt
- Weekend Doctor: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
- Agenda for Bluffton Council on November 25
- Super Cute Dresses ships 10,000 packages via Bluffton Post Office in 2024
- Volunteer opportunities at Bluffton Hospital
- Invitation to provide monthly display at Bluffton library
Friday, November 22, 2024
- Ticket and livestream info for Bluffton Pirates v. Patrick Henry football
- Service of thanks at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran
- Pirate girls basketball beats Hornets in McDonald’s opener
- 100+ voices in Bluffton's Handel's Messiah chorus
- Pirate Worcester named top district defender
- BVHS receives Level 7 achievement in ‘Most Wired’ survey
Thursday, November 21, 2024
- McDonald’s Holiday Tournament, Thursday, November 21
- 2024 Fall Festival in pictures: At the Schumacher Homestead
- Fairy I. Parkins was postmaster of Benton Ridge
- Council committee and residents discuss ADUs, best and worst case scenarios
- BPL hosts Open Crafts and Game Space, November 26
- Women in Business meet November 21
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
- Bluffton Beavers sports roundup, Nov. 13-19
- ODOT prepping for first snow of the season
- Mason named OBL 2024 Banker of the Year
- October 2024 land transfers in Bluffton school district
- November chamber meeting explores member news, Blaze plans and flag etiquette
- Bluffton EMS by the numbers: October 2024
- Children left unattended in running vehicles can lead to abductions
- Icon search function goes from 0 to 30
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
- Tickets and streaming information for Nov. 22 Pirate football playoff game
- Spirit Bus for November 22 football playoff in Findlay
- Tea Bag Exchange & Tasting at BPL, November 21
- Letter: University students learn about Fair Trade
- Join volunteer crew for 2024 Ream Display-Blaze of Lights setup
- Village of Bluffton asks for updated utility billing contact information