Wrestler, coach, tournament jack-of-all-trades, founder of organizations to promote wrestling and recognize achievement, Thomas (Tommy) McMillan has been a mainstay of Peninsula wrestling for 50 years.

After wrestling at Oscar Smith High School for three years, he entered Old Dominion University in 1962, where he wrestled for Pete Robinson. Placing third in the Mason-Dixon Conference Tournament at 191 pounds his first year, he followed up with conference championships at 177 pounds in 1964 and 1965. That year, he also won the First Colony Tournament at 177 in 1965, then added a final championship, wrestling at 191 in the Army Freestyle Tournament of 1967.

He started to officiate in 1965, continuing for almost 40 years until a medical condition forced his withdrawal in 2004. During this time, he worked numerous district, regional, and one state tournament.

He also served as secretary-treasurer of the officials' association for six years and stepped in for the commissioner whenever necessary.

As Coach McMillan, he started with Truitt Middle School in 1988, winning a divisional championship in 2002. During this time, he retired from the Navy in 1999 and joined the school as a teacher's assistant.

Another door opened when Oscar Smith High School, moving to a new building in 1994, won assignment to a series of regional and state wrestling tournaments. Always ready to help, Coach McMillan assisted in the set-up, maintenance, control, and break-down of the wrestling area.

Broadening his effort, he joined Virginia Challenge in 2001; he helped them to put on wrestling tournaments to "build tomorrow's champions today," rising to the presidency of this organization in 2009.

By 2013, their signature tournament, the Holiday Duals, was hosting 60 teams from 30 states.

Finally, he established the Colen E. Baker Award, honoring an ardent supporter of Virginia wrestling in order to recognize significant contributors to the sport.

He was inducted as a Legend in the Chesapeake Sports Club and was named the 16th recipient of the Colon E. and Anna L. Baker Award at the Virginia Duals for his many contributions to the sport of wrestling.