Tom Arlis has devoted more than five decades to the sport of wrestling as an athlete, coach, mentor, and leader whose impact has been felt across Illinois wrestling. From his early days as a standout competitor at Montini Catholic High School to his long and distinguished coaching career at Naperville North High School and Batavia High School, Arlis built a reputation for excellence, leadership, and service to young athletes. 

As a wrestler at Montini Catholic, Arlis earned two varsity captaincies and was twice named team MVP. In 1972, he became Montini’s first-ever IHSA state medalist in any sport when he placed fifth in the state tournament at 119 pounds. He continued his wrestling career at Western Illinois University, where he became a three-time NCAA Division II national qualifier while also serving as a two-time team captain and MVP for the Leathernecks. 

Arlis began coaching in 1977 at Naperville North as an assistant coach during his student teaching assignment under HOF athletic director Neil McCauley, who was also a former Western Illinois University wrestler and team captain. The following year Arlis was awarded a full time teaching position and assistant wrestling coach at Naperville North High School under legendary Hall of Fame coach Stan Gruszka. Arlis helped Gruszka establish the Huskies as one of Illinois’ premier wrestling programs. During his years as an assistant, Naperville North rose to statewide prominence, highlighted by a second-place finish at the 1987 IHSA Dual Team Tournament. His work earned him recognition as an IWCOA Assistant Coach-of-the-Year nominee. 

When Arlis became head coach at Naperville North for the 1991 season, success followed immediately. His teams captured five DuPage Valley Conference championships, multiple regional and sectional titles, and twice advanced deep into the IHSA Dual Team State Finals, including a runner-up finish in 1992. After moving to Batavia in 2003, Arlis continued his tradition of excellence with another regional championship, three Suburban Prairie North Conference championships, a Suburban Prairie Mega Conference Championship, and two Western Sun Conference Championships. 

 Arlis coached 12 individual IHSA state champions, 26 total state medalists, and 73 state qualifiers during his head coaching career. Remarkably, his 2003 team produced three undefeated state champions in the same season. 

Beyond the mat, Arlis dedicated himself to growing youth wrestling throughout Illinois. He helped establish and has spent decades supporting the Batavia Wrestling Club youth program. In recognition of his extraordinary coaching career, lifelong service, and lasting influence on generations of wrestlers, Arlis was inducted into the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association Hall of Fame in 2008.