Tom Wiesner
| Tom Wiesner | |
|---|---|
| Clark County Commission | |
|
In office 1970–1978 |
|
| Preceded by | Darwin Lamb |
| Succeeded by | Jack Petitti |
| Nevada Republican National Committeeman | |
|
In office 1986–2002 |
|
| Nevada State Higher Education System Board of Regents | |
|
In office 1996–2002 |
|
| Succeeded by | Laura Lopez Hobbs |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
February 28, 1939 Wausau, Wisconsin |
| Died | June 25, 2002 (aged 63) Seattle, Washington |
| Cause of death | Leukemia |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Lynn Geary (m. 1965–2002) |
| Children | 2 |
| Father | Frank Wiesner |
| Residence | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Occupation | Businessman |
Thomas N. Wiesner (February 28, 1939 – June 25, 2002), also known by his nickname "Big Dog", was an American politician and businessman. Wiesner initially played football for the Wisconsin Badgers from 1959 to 1961, before moving to Las Vegas in 1963. Seven years later, at the age of 31, he became the youngest person to be elected to the Clark County Commission. Wiesner served two terms before losing re-election in 1978. Wiesner was also an owner of the Marina Hotel, which later became the MGM Grand resort.
In 1986, Wiesner was elected as Nevada's Republican National Committeeman, a position he held until his death. In 1996, Wiesner was also elected to the Nevada State Higher Education System Board of Regents. Wiesner also founded Big Dog's Hospitality Group, a local chain of restaurant-bar-casino properties. Wiesner was inducted into the Southern Nevada Hall of Sports Fame in 2000, and later died of leukemia in 2002. He was posthumously inducted into the UW Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008.
Wiesner was born in Wausau, Wisconsin, on February 28, 1939. He was the son of Frank Wiesner, and had six brothers. In 1944, the family relocated to Neenah, Wisconsin, near Lake Winnebago. Wiesner graduated from Neenah High School in 1957.
In 1958, Wiesner became the heavyweight boxing champion at the University of Wisconsin–Madison (UW). Wiesner played as a fullback and a linebacker for the Wisconsin Badgers football team from 1959 to 1961. Wiesner was also captain of the team in 1959, and a co-captain and most valuable player in 1960. He also served as captain when the Badgers played in the 1960 Rose Bowl. In 1961, he was named the Wisconsin State Athlete of the Year. That year, he received a Bachelor of Science degree and was drafted by the Baltimore Colts. Wiesner was later traded to the Los Angeles Rams and played pre-season games before being cut from the team. Wiesner then tried out for a position with the San Diego Chargers and the Montreal Alouettes, although he never played in a pro game for either team.
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