Aug. 12, 2008

JACKSON, Miss- Former University of Mobile women's basketball player Sarah Thomas made history last season when she became the first female to officiate a game in the Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly known as I-A.

On Sept. 15th, she officiated the Jacksonville State v. Memphis football game. Now, Thomas has been auditioning for the NFL, working scrimmages with the New Orleans Saints.

NFL referee Gene Steratore said that the NFL regularly brings in college coaches to help officiate training camp practices and that they're usually officials that come highly recommended and are being looked at by the league.

"I know that she's very qualified and very good at what she does," Steratore said.

Back in September when Thomas made the leap to Division 1-A college football, she came with a glowing recommendation.

"She came highly recommended by two NFL scouts," said Gerry Austin, a longtime NFL referee and the conference's coordinator of officials. "She has a good presence and demeanor. I feel like she has the ability and courage to make a call, and the guts to not make one, too."

At Mobile, Thomas earned a communications degree from the University of Mobile, and helped lead the 1993 women's basketball team to the NAIA National Tournament. During that run to the NAIA National Tournament in 1993, Thomas and her teammates set 23 school records and went 22-9 on the season. Thomas, who ranks in the top 15 in 4 school records, helped lead the Lady Rams to a 61-33 combined record in her three seasons on the team.