Thomas Hoke spent nearly three decades leading the Rome Free Academy football team from the sidelines of the field that would eventually share his namesake.
The longtime coach and educator died Monday, according to his obituary. He was 77.
Hoke was born in Utica but grew up in Marcy before attending Whitesboro High School, where he starred in football, basketball and baseball. After graduating in 1964, he headed to the University of Buffalo on a full football scholarship.
He later returned home to begin his teaching and coaching career in the Whitesboro school district. His coaching roots began when he took over the junior varsity football and baseball teams.
In 1969, Hoke took a teaching position in the Rome City School District and he became an assistant varsity football coach for the Black Knights from 1971-1973.
Hoke then took over the RFA football program in 1974. Over the next 27 years, he led the Black Knights to a 210-41-4 overall record.
His RFA teams won 19 league titles, including nine in the Central Oneida League, five National Conference championships, and five Class AA league titles. He also led the Black Knights to eight Section III titles: 1980, 1981, 1984, 1985 1991, 1992, 1993 and 1996.
Hoke’s teams won state regional titles in 1993 and 1996, a state Western Region title in 1996, and a state championship in 1981. He fielded top-25 state-ranked teams in 19 seasons, and his teams made 22 consecutive Section III playoff appearances and played for section titles in 13 out of his 27 seasons.
Longtime Henninger High School football coach and Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Famer Bob Campese faced Hoke’s RFA teams more than 20 times over the years, including seven times in sectional finals.
“He was always a class act and a tremendous football coach,” Campese said. “His kids were always prepared. Henninger and Rome had some great battles over the years.”
Hoke also served on the Section III football committee, along with Campese, for over 20 years.
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