Anthony "Tony" Clarke began his wrestling career at Neal Junior High in North Chicago. After wrestling three years for North Chicago High School under Hall of Fame Coach Amos Jones, Tony graduated from Waukegan West High School in 1982, where he was a sectional qualifier. Tony is employed as a civil servant for the Department of the Navy, a job he began in 1984. He has coached wrestling 10 years at the IKWF Club level, three years at the middle school level and, as a volunteer coach, 12 years at Carmel Catholic High School in Mundelein. Tony's expertise as a wrestling official, however, sets him apart. Since he started refereeing in 1984, he has worked 16 IHSA Individual State Finals and four IHSA Dual team State Finals; served as Head Official at both Individual and Dual Team State Finals six times; and worked 13 IESA State Finals and multiple IKWF State Finals. Tony was named an IHSA wrestling clinician in 1999 and wrestling rules interpreter in 2005, and he will assume the position of IHSA Head Clinician beginning next year. He presently serves on the National Federation of State High School Associations' wrestling rules committee as the NFHS Officials Representative. A former member of the IHSA Officials Advisory Committee, IHSA Wrestling Advisory Committee and IESA Wrestling Advisory Committee, Tony currently serves as Wrestling Assignment Chairperson for the Chicago Public Schools and three conferences. Tony has received the following wrestling honors: 1996 IWCOA Official of the Year; 2001 National Federation Officials Association Official of the Year; 2005 IHSA Hall of Fame Member; 2009 IHSA Distinguished Service Award; 2013 Wrestling USA Magazine Official of the Year, 2014 Individual State Finals Grand Marshal; and 2015 IESA Individual State Finals Grand Marshal.