Thomas J. Rayl – WHS Class of 1966

Football – Lettered 3 years; 8-1 Season; All-Conference Team ‘66; Quarterback & co-captain ‘66

Basketball – Lettered 3 years; Southwest Conference Title ‘66; District 8 Championship ‘66; WCCO Prep Parade Team of the Week ‘66; All Conference ‘66

Baseball – Lettered 2 years

Track – Lettered 1 Year

Academics and Activities – National Honor Society, Homecoming Attendant, Senior Class Vice-President; Graduated top 10 in class; Choir

College – United States Air Force Academy, Football (4 years), Intramural Sports, Member of Squadron Wrestling Team, Champions, Fellowship of Christian Athletes; B.S. Degree in Civil Engineering ‘70; M.B.A. Purdue University ‘79

Awards – American Red Cross recognition ceremony and certificate for saving a man’s life; Major General John K. Hester Award for “The Cadet Who Best Exemplifies the Highest Ideals of Loyalty, Integrity, and Courage”

Thomas served 20 years in the United States Air Force retiring in 1990.  He was an Instructor pilot and T-38 jet trainer in Mississippi. Later he was a crew member and instructor for the B-52 in South Dakota.  Thomas was  Military Governor of Wake Island in 1982. Participated in Squadron Athletics through all 20 years in the Air Force (Volleyball, Basketball, Softball, and Golf).  Currently First Officer Co-pilot on 727 for United Airlines.  He and his wife, Sandra (Berger Class of 1964) have 3 children, Wendy, Heather, and Becky.  They reside in Atwater, CA.  Thomas is an active member of First Baptist Church in Merced, California.  He plays on the city softball league. He was inducted into the Trojan Hall of Fame in 1993.