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JT Thomas inducted into the Minor League Soccer News Hall of Fame

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

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

“It is truly an honor to receive this award,” said Thomas. “I owe everyone a big thank you for supporting me over the years.”

Thomas has used strong leadership skills, tireless work ethic, and passion for the game to become a driving force in the development and promotion of minor league and semi-professional soccer throughout the Midwest.

The history of JT Thomas’ football career can be divided into three different chapters: player, coach and executive. Thomas’ college career began at Fort Scott Community College (Kansas) in 1992. After his second season, Thomas transferred to West Virginia University (WVU).

In two seasons at Fort Scott, both as team captain, Thomas earned two Jayhawk All-Kansas Conference honors as outside linebacker and Defensive Player of the Game in the 1992 Valley of the Sun Bowl. As a WVU inside linebacker, Thomas received two Mountaineer Club Awards for excellence on the field, earned two All-Big East team honors and won the Defensive Player of the Game award at the 1994 CarQuest Bowl. He also led both teams in tackles each season.

A successful college career brought Thomas to the semi-professional soccer circuit in 1996 with the Charleston Rockets, where he was able to play with former WVU great Major Harris. Returning as an outside linebacker, Thomas led the team in tackles and became a league All-Star when the Rockets finished their 11-game regular season 10-1. Thomas tried to carry his semi-professional ball success to the Arena Football League in 1997 with the Albany Firebirds, but suffered a career-ending leg injury on the third day of training camp.

Instead of a helmet and pads, the next step in Thomas’ soccer career included a headset and clipboard. After a season as the Defensive Coordinator of a 13-16 year old championship team, Thomas returned to semi-professional soccer in 2000 as the Head Coach of West Virginia WHAM! Located in Morgantown, WV, Thomas compiled a .695 winning percentage (41 wins, 18 losses), won three Coach of the Year awards, and led three league All-Star games in six seasons as WHAM! trainer.

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

During the 2003 season, Thomas assumed full ownership of WHAM! When he got off the WHAM! In 2005, he decided to shift his full-time focus to developing the success of semi-professional soccer and the WHAM! franchise. In the two years since he left coaching, Thomas held executive positions in the Ohio Valley Soccer League and the MOFL. In January 2007, Thomas was promoted to MOFL Commissioner.

Currently, Thomas oversees the day-to-day operations of the MOFL, an expanding 10-team semi-professional league in Ohio, Michigan and Kentucky. His love for semi-professional soccer is only matched by his desire to see the MOFL, and all minor league soccer organizations, produce a soccer product that is competitive, organized, developed, and entertaining for the game’s players and fans. of football. he wake up.

Thomas also serves as a semi-professional sports consultant at League Level, LLC, a company that provides marketing and promotional strategies for organizations with an emphasis on amateur and semi-professional athletics.

He currently resides in Morgantown, WV, with his wife Rochelle and two sons, Jared, 3, and AJ, 10 months. Thomas also has a son, JT Thomas III, from a previous relationship.

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