By Chris Gasiewski, Delaware State News
DOVER – The past few years, Ross Thomas opened the mailbox at his Smyrna home, awaiting a contract from the NCAA.
It never came.
Thomas never gave up hope, however, since the opportunity was still there to be an official at the Division I wrestling championships.
Hope prevailed on June 12 as Thomas finally received the letter. He said he’s the first official from Delaware to officiate in the NCAA championships, which begin in March 2007 at the Palace at Auburn Hills in Detroit.
“It’s kind of neat to be the first guy from Delaware to get the snip at it, “Thomas said. “That was kind of the goal.”
Not too many officials across the nation enjoy the opportunity either.
Division I coaches grade the officials after the qualifiers for the championships each year. The NCAA then selects the officials for the championships.
So how does the feat rank among a wrestling resume filled with accomplishments?
“This is probably the biggest thing I’ve done, “he said. “I was one match away from going as an athlete.”
Officiating gave Thomas a way to continue in wrestling after participating in the sport throughout high school and college.
During his competing years, he was a standout for Smyrna High from 1976-80. His best finish at the state tournament was third, capping his senior year in 1980.
He moved on to college, where, after a stint at Virginia Tech, he transferred to Delaware State. DSU proved to be a good choice. Thomas was one of the first white wrestlers to win a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title.
“The big deal is to stay involved in the sport, “Thomas said. “It got me my education. You’ve got to keep hammering.”
He did, joining the officiating ranks in 1982 as a referee for local bouts.
Thomas joined the Marine Corps four years later, which allowed him to officiate across the nation.
In 1992, he advanced to the higher level of Division I wrestling, officiating matches at Oklahoma State and Mississippi. For the past few years, he’s given reversal and escape calls for the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Calling the finals at the national championships, though, is where he wants to be.
“Yeah, you fight to get there for so long, “Thomas said. “The day you open the contract, you hope you can do it successfully. You think you chill out. But man you’ve got to do a good (job).”
Thomas hasn’t forgotten his Delaware roots. He’s officiated nine straight state tournaments and teaches accounting at Polytech.
And the NCAA championships might not be the only collegiate opportunity coming up for Thomas.
“The Big 12 called this week, “he said. “They have a guy that’s retiring. There’s a possibility that I can step up to the Big 12.”
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