A licensed official for 23 years, Noblesville resident Tom Clark was this year's recipient of the Indiana Interscholastic Athletic Official Association Award for excellence in the sport of wrestling.

Clark was honored in a special ceremony during the IHSAA Wrestling Individual State Finals at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN. Including this season, Clark has 11 sectionals, nine regionals, seven semi-states, and four state finals to his credit. He was one of 12 officials working the 2007 individual finals.

Each year, the Indiana High School Athletic Association, in cooperation with the National Federation of Interscholastic Officials Association, recognizes and honors an outstanding official in each of the 11 sports during the school year.

Clark was nominated for this award by Dave Nicholson, sports chairman of the Indiana Officials Association (IOA), one of 26 associations located throughout Indiana comprised of men and women who give up much of their personal time to assist in providing meaningful and healthy activities for the student-athletes of our state. This honor comes as a result of Clark's selection by a committee representing those 26 associations. Statewide, there are almost 7,500 officials licensed by the IHSAA in 11 sports.

An 11-year member of the Indiana Officials Association, he has served as an IHSAA rules interpreter for three years.

Tom has been actively involved in the Indiana State Wrestling Association as a freestyle, Greco and folkstyle official with USA Wrestling, since moving to Indiana in 1996. In 2005, he was named ISWA Official of the Year in recognition of his dedication to the sport. He not only works local and state events but also is always there to conduct clinics and offer advice whenever needed.  

Clark, a FILA 1 Official, has officiated four U.S. Olympic Team Trials dating back to 1992. In addition, he was named USA Wrestling National Official of the Year (freestyle and Greco-Roman) in 1998 and has served on the Board of Directors of the United States Wrestling Officials Association. 	

A native of Bluffton, Ohio, Clark attended Ohio State University and worked as an official for many years in Ohio before relocating to Indiana. He currently is vice-president of Clark, Baker and Associates, which operates Edible Arrangements in Fishers. 

Tom and his wife, Retha have two children: Taylor and Hayden.