Southern announces death of track and field Coach Johnny Thomas

• 2theadvocate.com staff report
• Published: Jun 12, 2009 - UPDATED: 1:20 p.m.

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The Southern University Department of Athletics has announced the death of its longtime track and field/cross-country coach Johnny L. Thomas Sr., according to a statement issued by the university.

“Coach T,” as Thomas was known, succumbed Friday morning after battling cancer for the past two years.

Thomas was born in Baton Rouge in 1940 and graduated from McKinley Senior High School in 1959. Thomas was his high school’s record holder in the 100-, 220- and 440-yard dashes, and upon his graduation from McKinley earned a scholarship in track and field to Southern University.

A Southern alumnus, Thomas received his bachelor's degree in 1963 and his master's degree in 1973.

During his professional career, Thomas served the community as a teacher, coach and guidance counselor.

Thomas started his coaching career in 1978 as a volunteer coach, in which capacity he served until 1984.  In 1987 he was named head track and field coach at SU. 

He moved the women’s program through the transition from National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics to the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women and on to the National Collegiate Athletic Association in 1982.

Thomas was awarded numerous honors over the years, including High School Coach of the Year, Louisiana Track Coach of the Year and Southwestern Athletic Conference Coach of the Year.  Thomas amassed 45 SWAC championships in cross-country and indoor and outdoor track and field for both the women’s and men’s programs.

Thomas was also the creator of the Track Club for Girls and later the Baton Rouge Express Track Club for ages 7-18. He is the only African-American to win a Louisiana state singles championship in bowling.

He also published an article in Coaches Magazine on hurdling.

Thomas was inducted into the Southern University Sports Hall of Fame and the Southwestern Athletic Conference Sports Hall of Fame in 2007.

“Our program has suffered a great loss in the passing of Coach Johnny Thomas. He served this department in a first-class manner.  He was also one of the most respected track coaches in the nation.  His coaching style and the way he was able to get the very best out of his athletes was uncanny,” SU Director of Athletics Greg LaFleur said.

“This is a tremendous loss for the Southern University Department of Athletics and the track and field world.  Coach T meant so much to so many people throughout the city of Baton Rouge.  He did so much to promote track and field throughout our community, and what he accomplished as head coach of SU’s track and field programs will never be surpassed.  He will be sorely missed,” Southern Director of Sports Information Kevin Manns said.