Basketball was her game. Football officiating is her profession. Sarah Thomas, a 37-year-old mother of two sons (Bridley, 10, and Brady, 7), wife to Brian Thomas and full-time pharmaceutical sales representative, is also a college-football official.
The Pascagoula native and Brandon reservoir-area resident attended the University of Mobile, where she was a member of the women's basketball team. She graduated in 1995 with a bachelor's degree in communications with a public-relations emphasis. Aside from being a mother and wife, perhaps her greatest feat was breaking the glass ceiling in 2007, becoming the first woman to officiate a Division I college football game.
How did you start officiating?
I accompanied my brother to a football officials meeting just because I was curious. I was looking to be challenged, and I realized that I could do this. I started on the pee-wee level, then junior high and high school. My first college game was in 2007.
How was that first college game?
I was reminiscing about it just the other day with a fellow official. It was Memphis vs. Jacksonville State. I had already officiated at the high school level for 10 years. I was a little nervous at first, but once it gets kicked off, it's just football.
How did line judge become your position?
Line judge is the area that I was placed in. I did not know the difference between that position or any other.
As a referee, is it hard to stay objective when being yelled?
It's a profession. You have to have thick skin and understand that they want you to do the best job that you can do.
Do you listen to sports radio and watch sports television networks?
I watch sports with my husband, but now when I watch it, I watch it from an officiating standpoint.
What adversity have you faced thus far being a college referee?
The old uniform! It was not flattering for women with hips. We have new uniforms now with black pants. I like the black pants.
The learning curve—I have a great group of guys that I study with—also, handling work and having the freedom to do it. I have a very supportive and wonderful husband, who is an overall good man. I could not do it without his support.
What do the women in your community think?
My mom is a breast-cancer survivor, so I just did Huddles and Heels (Aug. 23 at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum) to benefit Susan G. Komen. There was a great group of women there, and I have good friends that are really supportive and help out, too.
Would you recommend other women to pursue officiating?
Anybody can do it with the right mindset, whether they are female or male. If there is something that you want to do, and you are doing it for the right reasons, everything will fall into place.
Do you have NFL aspirations?
If you do something because you love it, it happens. If it does not happen, then it is not God's will. I just strive to be the best that I can be whenever I am given the opportunity to work.
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