With a personality and a heart as big as the man, Gary "Toby" Tobaisson travelled the country as a mat official, teaching and amusing officials, wrestlers, coaches and anyone else who would listen to his many stories. 

Toby was born and raised in Nebraska where he still has strong family ties. He began officiating wrestling in the early seventies but chose not to get involved with Fila and UWW. Toby preferred, instead, to shuffle and bus club wrestlers to local and regional events. He and his “Brotherhood” contributed countless volunteer hours at numerous local, state, regional and national tournaments throughout the Southwest and West as mat officials and instructors of referees. There are hundreds of mat officials roaming this country who have had the privilege of sharing a mat with Toby and improving their refereeing skills because of his wisdom and understanding of wrestling officiating.

Toby will tell you he is most proud of his tenure at regional and national events. He has worked at least one regional and every Cadet and Junior National since 1989. His most meaningful record is that he is the only official   who has worked every Cadet Dual since it started on two mats in Pueblo, Colorado, more than twenty five years ago.

Toby has received several national level accolades including the outstanding official at Cadet Nationals, outstanding Greco official at Junior Duals, Glen Blackman Award, Phil Portuese Award, Dick Riggle Award, USWOA Official of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Award. He has served as the Secretary of the USWOA Executive Board for fourteen years. 

Toby made us smile and enjoy the wrestling experience, but most importantly, he elevated our own individual performance in the sport of wrestling. 

As Toby retires from officiating, the wrestling family congratulates him for a job well done.