Only the third athletic equipment manager in U of A history, serving under four presidents, four athletic directors, and ten football coaches, and in all three athletic conferences of which U of A has been a member (Border, Western Athletic, and Pacific-10). Invented and patented the "Thomas Hand Pad," a revolutionary protective device for football players. Throughout career, acted as confidant and adviser to minority student-athletes, helping to defuse potential problems during 1960's and 1970's. Long-time leader in Tucson's Black community.