Dustin Swedelson
dmswedelson@valdosta.edu

Tommy Thomas began his collegiate career at Valdosta State College as a player from 1959-1962. After playing under mentor and Coach Billy Grant, Thomas took over the duties in 1968.

For 40 years Thomas has been the one making the pitching changes, filling out the lineup cards and teaching those who come in contact with him. He will retire as the winningest coach in Division II baseball history with over 1,300 wins.

In 2006 he was inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame. Coach Thomas is one of two Division II coaches to win over 1,000 games, and has sent 38 teams into post season play.

The National Tournament has had a team coached by Thomas in it eight times, including in 1979 when his ball club won VSC’s first ever national championship. In that same year Thomas was named ABCA National Coach of the Year.

In 2007 he was inducted into the Valdosta State University Athletic Hall of Fame, the first active coach to do so.