Tommy Waits

By Jim Joanos

In 1952, when I began my college education at FSU, it was not long before I became aware of Thomas A. Waits as he was very active in numerous campus activities. As our four years moved on and I got to know Tommy better he did not slow down. By the time that we graduated in 1956 he had left behind him a record of having greatly served FSU. He had been the head of the cheerleaders’ team, involved in student government and a leader in his college fraternity. I mostly remember his performances in FSU’s Flying High Circus. He was a great clown made up to look like hobo clown Emmet Kelly to entertain the spectators. In addition to leadership of several acrobatic acts he starred in the bicycle act. He would pedal a bicycle around the rink when four ladies including my wife, Betty Lou, would perform acrobatics while riding on the bicycle. For his many campus activities, he was honored by being selected to Gold Key, a prestigious award recognizing campus leaders.

In 1931 Tommy was born in Palatka, Florida. While he was in school the family moved to Jacksonville where he graduated from high school. While still in school Tommy joined a reserve Marine unit. When the Korean war broke out his unit was placed on active duty and stationed in California. In time he attained the rank of staff sergeant. In 1952, with the help of the G.I. Bill he started college at FSU.

After graduation from FSU, he first had a job with a state agency. Then he, wife, Susan, and children moved to Tallahassee where he would spend the rest of his life. Dr. Strozier, president of FSU hired him to be the executive director of the Office of Alumni Affairs and The Seminole Boosters. At that time the administration of the Boosters was done by the alumni association. It was when he served in that capacity that I became very much involved in both entities mainly because of Tommy.

During his tenure, some very important events occurred. Both organizations grew and prospered. Tommy saw to it that I get and stay involved. As a member of the alumni board, I enjoyed some fun events. The meetings were often filled with lots of reports of new and progressive events designed to increase membership in the alumni association. One memory that I remember vividly were the telephone nights. Tommy would arrange to set up a room filled with telephones. Board members and others would use the phones and call former classmates greeting them and encouraging them to join the Alumni Association. Another was working with the local civic clubs in hosting the kickoff luncheon at the beginning of each football season.

In the spring of each year a board retreat would be held at Homosassa Springs in which the families of the board members also participated. The board would meet during the day evaluating past events and planning for the future. During this time the spouses and children would enjoy the springs by fishing from the dock, sunbathing and other activities. At night the entire group would have dinner together. On at least one occasion the president of the university attended that weekend event.

Among the fund-raising events, parties would be held at prominent people’s homes where most of those in attendance became quite generous in their financial pledges to Boosters. Much of the revenue raised by the Boosters each year came from those parties. Under Tommy’s leadership the Boosters grew in size so that later the Boosters became a separate organization and an effective procurer of funds for the athletic program.

Each year on Labor Day weekend a barbecue arranged by Tommy was held at a prominent FSU fan’s home. Donors and potential donors were invited. On a couple of times the football team attended as FSU at that time did not play its games until after Labor Day.

Tommy began a program of travel abroad. At that time, it was somewhat rare to travel overseas. The first trip was to Greece by way of a full chartered plane to and from. A large group of alumni, Boosters, donors, and other supporters of the university enjoyed traveling not only to Athens but by small ship to several islands. The trip was a big success and several other such trips followed to other locations.

Following his time as the executive director at FSU Tommy became involved in the Florida tourism industry. Ultimately, he became the CEO of the Florida Hotel and Motel organization and served in that capacity for 26 years. In 2002 he was awarded by being inducted into the Florida Tourism Hall of fame. Throughout his life. he continued to be involved in FSU activities attending athletic and other events and serving as a worker on numerous projects.

My friend Tommy died on November 21, 2022, in Tallahassee. I remember him as a man devoted to FSU from the time he first arrived at FSU as a student in 1952 until his death. There are lots of us who are indebted to him for helping us to get involved in FSU activities and we still enjoy some of the programs that he started.

About the author:

Jim Joanos

Memories of Garnet and Gold

Jim Joanos and his wife Betty Lou have deep roots at Florida State University. Avid sports fans, they have literally seen, and done, it all. Fortunately for us, Jim loves telling first-hand accounts dating back to FSU’s first football game, a 1947 clash with the Stetson Hatters on Centennial Field, where Cascades Park is today.

The Osceola will run a series of these colorful stories written by the former Tallahassee lawyer and judge, which we feel our readers will find enlightening and/or nostalgic.

Jim and Betty Lou, who was Associate Director of the FSU Alumni Association (1991-2003), have been married 65 years and are each listed as one of FSU’s 100 Distinguished Graduates. The couple were enshrined in the FSU Hall of Fame in 2015 as Moore-Stone Award Recipients. Ironically, both Deans Moore and Stone were instrumental in the Joanoses career development.

“Both Jim and Betty Lou Joanos have been exemplary fans and supporters of Florida State University, both academically and athletically,” said Andy Miller, retired President and CEO of Seminole Boosters, Inc. “You can’t go to an athletic event of any kind that you don’t see both Jim and Betty Lou Joanos together. They love their university as much as they love each other.”