Tom James was introduced to the sport of wrestling when he enrolled at Memorial Junior High in Long Island New York. Mr. Harold Earl, the school’s wrestling coach, encouraged Tom to join the team. Tom had never been on a wrestling mat, but, when he entered the wrestling room, he was immediately hooked the moment he took his fist opponent down to the mat. Tom wrestled in high school at 154lbs and was undefeated his Senior hear in dual meets. Unfortunately, he suffered an injury, ending his high school wrestling career.

After graduation, Tom left the mat to follow his second athletic love, football, at Albert Lea College in Minnesota, transferred and earned his teaching degree in Physical Education at Yankton in South Dakota. His next stop would be Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where Tom settled into a teaching and coaching career. His high school wrestling coach and mentor, Mr. Earl, suggested he contact Mike Frame, the coach at Fort Lauderdale High School. Frame, who didn’t need another assistant, provided Tom with another contact, John Lyzott, the coach at McArthur High School. For the next two years, Tom apprenticed with Ron Schultz as John Lyzotts’ assistant coaches. Lyzott asked Tom to work with a promising wrestler, Charles Reid. Charles would become Tom’s first State Champion. In South Florida, Tom had the opportunity to work with some of the best men in Florida wrestling. In 1990, Tom was hired as a physical education teacher and an assistant coach for Bill Reinnegar. Two years later, Tom was made head coach for the Plantation wrestling team. Tom’s first move was to hire Dan Bowles to be his assistant. Soon after, Plantation had its first State wrestling Champion, Mike Way. Tom’s coaching focus was to provide young wrestlers with preparation, and skill development during the four years of their high school career with focus on strength, endurance, and confidence for success on and off the mat. Coach James had four state champions while at Plantation High Tom left coaching to take on another challenge, high school administrator. During this time, Tom spent lots of time in wrestling rooms across the county when not on the clock. Tom returned to his first love, teaching and coaching by joining the staff at South Broward High School until his retirement. 

Tom and his wife Karen were true snowbirds, spending six months at their North Carolina cabin and six months in Sorrento FL.   Son Greg and his family reside in Tennessee. Daughter Christina Forchette and her family live in Delray Beach.  Tom’s stepdaughter, Mary O’Toole, lives in Ft. Lauderdale.