| James "JT" Thomas, former linebacker of the West | | | | training camp. |
| Virginia Mountaineers, will be inducted into the Minor | | | | Instead of a helmet and pads, the next step of |
| League Football News Hall of Fame on Thursday, | | | | Thomas' football career featured a headset and |
| December 6, 2007 at the Oasis Resort Hotel & | | | | clipboard. After a stint as Defensive Coordinator for a |
| Casino in Mesquite, Nevada. | | | | championship team of 13-16 year olds, Thomas |
| Thomas' nomination was reviewed by the MLFN's | | | | returned to semi-pro football in 2000 as Head Coach |
| Board of Directors, and he received notification of his | | | | of the West Virginia WHAM! Located in Morgantown, |
| acceptance on July 30. | | | | WV, Thomas compiled a .695 winning percentage (41 |
| "It is truly an honor to be receiving this award," said | | | | wins, 18 losses), won three Coach of the Year |
| Thomas. "I owe a big thank you to everyone for | | | | awards, and coached three league All-Star games in |
| supporting me through the years." | | | | six seasons as WHAM! head coach. |
| Thomas has used strong leadership skills, tireless work | | | | In 2001, Thomas also led the WHAM! to the Mid-Ohio |
| ethic, and passion for the game to become a driving | | | | Football League (MOFL) Championship. |
| force in the development and promotion of minor | | | | During the 2003 season, Thomas took over full |
| league and semi-professional football across the | | | | ownership of the WHAM! When he stepped off the |
| Midwest. | | | | WHAM! sideline in 2005, he decided to shift his focus |
| The story of JT Thomas' football career can be | | | | full-time towards developing the success of |
| broken into three distinct chapters: player, coach, and | | | | semi-professional football and the WHAM! franchise. In |
| executive. Thomas' collegiate career started at Fort | | | | the two years since he has stopped coaching, |
| Scott Community College (Kansas) in 1992. Following | | | | Thomas has held executive positions within the Ohio |
| his sophomore season, Thomas transferred to West | | | | Valley Football League and the MOFL. In January of |
| Virginia University (WVU). | | | | 2007, Thomas was promoted to MOFL Commissioner. |
| In two seasons at Fort Scott - both as team captain - | | | | Currently, Thomas oversees the day-to-day |
| Thomas earned two All-Kansas Jayhawk Conference | | | | operations of the MOFL - an expanding, 10-team |
| honors at outside linebacker and Defensive Player of | | | | semi-pro league across Ohio, Michigan, and Kentucky. |
| the Game in 1992's Valley of the Sun Bowl. At inside | | | | His love for semi-professional football is matched only |
| linebacker for WVU, Thomas received two | | | | by his desire to see the MOFL - and every minor |
| Mountaineer Club Awards for on-field excellence, | | | | league football organization - produce a football |
| earned two All-Big East team honors, and won | | | | product that is competitive, organized, developed, and |
| Defensive Player of the Game in the 1994 CarQuest | | | | entertaining for the players in the game and the fans in |
| Bowl. He also led both teams in tackles each season. | | | | the stands. |
| A successful college career led Thomas to the | | | | Thomas also serves as a Semi-Professional Sports |
| semi-pro football circuit in 1996 with the Charleston | | | | Consultant with League Level, LLC, a company that |
| Rockets, where he was able to play with former | | | | provides marketing and promotional strategies for |
| WVU great Major Harris. Returning to outside | | | | organizations with an emphasis in amateur and |
| linebacker, Thomas led the team in tackles and | | | | semi-professional athletics. |
| became a league All-Star as the Rockets finished their | | | | He currently resides in Morgantown, WV, with his wife |
| 11-game regular season 10-1. Thomas attempted to | | | | Rochelle and two children, Jared, 3, and AJ, 10 months. |
| carry his success from semi-pro ball to the Arena | | | | Thomas also has son, JT Thomas III, from a previous |
| Football League in 1997 with the Albany Firebirds, but | | | | relationship. |
| sustained a career ending leg injury on the third day of | | | | |