Perkiomen Valley Chamber of Commerce to Honor 'Coach T'

Ursinus College released the following information:

Respected baseball coach, educator and community booster   Brian Thomas is the recipient of the 2012 Marvin J. Lewis Community Service Award, from the .

Thomas will be honored at the Chamber’s annual meeting, March 28 at Rivercrest Golf Club and Preserve in Phoenixville, at 11:30 a.m. Registration can be found here.

Thomas, who is retiring after 43 years in coaching, has spent 23 years at Ursinus College. He is well-known throughout the area as one of its finest teachers of baseball fundamentals and motivators of young people. He was Athletic Director at Ursinus College from 2000-2010.

In appreciation for his many years of service, his winning record on the field and his mentoring countless players, Ursinus will name its baseball field Thomas Field on April 28 between a baseball double header. After the first game against Gettysburg slated to begin at 12:30 p.m., Thomas will be honored at a ceremony, and the College will dedicate the field. A second game against Gettysburg is scheduled following the dedication. The public is welcome.

He  earned his 100th collegiate win in the 1996 ECAC Division III South championship game, and has led Ursinus to post-season play in 12 of the last 15 seasons, including three Centennial Conference Championships.  His 400 wins in make him the baseball coach with the most wins in the history of the College. His 211-131 record in Conference play ranks him second all-time. His teams have made two NCAA Division III Regional appearances. His coaching experience also includes Junior American Legion, high school and college.  

Thomas has served on the Board of Directors for the Perkiomen Valley Chamber and the Collegeville Main Street Program. His honors include inductions into the Pennsylvania American Legion Sports Hall of Fame in 1999; Perkiomen School Hall of Athletic Honor in 2001; and Montgomery County Coaches Hall of Fame in 2007.

A retired US Army first lieutenant, Thomas was a platoon leader in Vietnam.  His military awards and honors include Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star with Valor, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and Jungle Expert Badge.

More about Thomas’ career at Ursinus and reaction to his retirement can be found here.