Hall of Fame biography: Tom Clark, Meritorious Official

Tom Clark - Meritorious Official


For his outstanding service as a referee, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame posthumously honors Tom Clark as its 2022 Meritorious Official.


Tom Clark, who passed away in 2017 at the age of 58, is being represented by his son, Hayden, and Hayden’s mother Retha Parsley during Hall of Fame Honors Weekend.


Tom officiated for 35 years, beginning while attending Ohio State and continuing in Indiana.


The Bluffton, Ohio native was selected as a referee for the Olympics in 2008 and worked dozens of World Championships and major international competitions at the senior level.


Named Official of the Year by USA Wrestling in 1988, Tom retired after the Seoul Olympics to open up opportunities at the highest level for young, talented officials.


A top high school wrestling official, he received the Indiana Interscholastic Athletic Officials Association Award for excellence in wrestling in 2007 and was the Indiana Wrestling Association Official of the Year in 2005.


Clark served as a board member for the U.S. Wrestling Officials Association and was vice president of the organization at the time of his death.


His commitment to wrestling was at every level, from youth to high school to the international level.