Fabio Jr. Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 For those who don't know we lost an Icon todaY. Official and Wrestlong fan Tom Clark passed away. I don't have many details But I just want to say how much Tom means to me as a coach wrestler and friend. He always gave me crap for being a short nobody. But he was always the first one to answer any interpretation questions I have. He was always there to put a smile on my face and when he was with his son you know he was with his bestn friend in the world. Tom I know your up there looking down and going to see a hell of a folkstyle state and NCAA tournament. I plan on giving out a lot of hugs tomorrow to the guys in stripes. I know we have been having some petty issues recently but I want you all to know that I love each and everyone of you. Remember to hug your loved ones tonight because you never know what tomorrow brings. Tom I miss you already. I know I'll miss your letters to Urban Meyer during football season. But I know you will have the beat seats in the shoe. Love you man sammyg, trackgopher, Cosgrove and 15 others 18 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaiderColfax Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 Such a great guy. Huge loss to the Indiana wrestling family. Thoughts and prayers to his family. ontherise219, TripleB, Fabio Jr. and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ontherise219 Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 A true legend and pillar of our community. Always was great to talk to. I always appreciaye the knowledge you shared. Thoughts go out to his family. Rest easy FCFIGHTER170, Fabio Jr. and TripleB 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TripleB Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 In absolute shock, one of the few Packer and Buckeye fans I openly let harass me bc I thought so much of him. When I first got involved in officiating Freestyle he welcomed me and as always been a friend and mentor since then. formercollegekid, ontherise219, FCFIGHTER170 and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gogoplata89 Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 Tom was the unwavering voice of the Olympic spirit here in Indiana. Easy to talk to, always had a cool story to tell, he was one of a kind. Fabio Jr., ontherise219, FCFIGHTER170 and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkelich Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 Always enjoyed conversations with Tom and his stories. From the time I was a kid beginning to wrestle to now coaching. RIP Tom. Prayers to his family. FCFIGHTER170, ontherise219, TripleB and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FCFIGHTER170 Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 (edited) Man what a huge bummer...Sadly last time I spoke to him in person was @Mrs Peckinpaughs funeral showing our respects...this is a huge loss to us all..R.i.p Big Guy Edited March 11, 2017 by FCFIGHTER170 TripleB, FCFIGHTER170 and ontherise219 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Numberz Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 I just spent some time with him @ the Big 10's. He always supported my boys. I'm going to wait until tomorrow to tell them. RIP my friend. TripleB, FCFIGHTER170 and ontherise219 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xbrick132 Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 Wow that sucks! I just spoke with him in Bloomington at the Big Tens this past weekend. He will definitely be missed. RIP Tom. Thoughts and prayers to the family. ontherise219, FCFIGHTER170 and TripleB 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattyb Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 (edited) Great man. Loved to just sit and listen to him speak. He told some of the best stories that I have ever had the pleasure of hearing. Words can't explain how awesome of a person he was. Thoughts and prayers to Hayden and his family. Gone too soon! Edited March 11, 2017 by Mattyb FCFIGHTER170, TripleB, rdrodd1 and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dingo Brigade Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 Oh damn, that is awful. One of the true good guys and a giant in the officiating world. Rest easy, my friend. You'll be missed FCFIGHTER170, TripleB and ontherise219 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maligned Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 Wow, just woke up in Europe to this news and I knew it as soon as I saw Nick's topic heading. A sad day indeed. Amazing guy that was always willing to give his time and attention to anyone wanting to learn about officiating or the sport of wrestling in general. He was of course an incredible official and constant student of the intricacies of officiating folkstyle, freestyle, and greco well--but he was also such a fan of the sport, always anxious to break down the big match or reminisce about his favorite athletes to watch. But first and foremost, I'll remember his care for people and genuine desire to connect with them. "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn." Definitely joining in spirit with his family and for anyone who knew him well today. Peace. FCFIGHTER170, TripleB and ontherise219 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Y2CJ41 Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 There are so many words to describe Tom, he was a friend to everyone and is the type of person that makes this sport so great. Just reading Facebook tonight with many, many friends posting messages and stories about him tells you the reach he had. He made an impact on so many of us and will be dearly missed. The stories and his impact on this sport not only in Indiana, but throughout the world will last for eternity. We lost a great one today, but he will be looking down on us and I'm sure he'll keep us all in line in his own personal way. ontherise219, quinnsDAD, rdrodd1 and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattM Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 (edited) Oh my. I just had a long conversation with him in between sessions during Big10s last weekend. He got a chuckle out of the fact he got to relax in the other side of the whistle for once. He was always a great guy to talk to, asking about how my schools program was going, sharing stories about his own travels, and genuinely wanting to know about how things were going with life. I'm not sure there is another ref I looked forward to speaking with during HS or USA competitions more than Tom. He will really be missed. Edited March 11, 2017 by MattM TripleB 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Cloud Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 So many above have told what Tom meant to them so I will just say this: Thanks, Tom. You left things better than you found them in Indiana wrestling. Dave Cloud rhayes, formercollegekid, Falcon06 and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Y2CJ41 Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 Here is a video from Flo with him in 2010 http://www.flowrestling.org/video/355073-questions-with-referee-tom-clark-25-year-veteran#.WMQEA28rKpp diamondintheruff, worthmatt, rdrodd1 and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
battlingbraves Posted March 13, 2017 Share Posted March 13, 2017 Great man! Always willing to help others. Thoughts and prayers to his family. He will be missed. Bob Freije Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Ratliff Posted March 13, 2017 Share Posted March 13, 2017 A mighty oak has fallen. I always made sure to catch up with Tom at tournaments to talk wrestling and family. He will be greatly missed by all. He has definitely left a legacy in Indiana and beyond. Prayers for Hayden and family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maligned Posted March 13, 2017 Share Posted March 13, 2017 Article now up on TheMat.com: http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2017/March/13/Olympic-referee-Tom-Clark-passed-away-Friday-Services-set-for-March-21 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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