SU'S JOHNNY THOMAS TO BE INDUCTED INTO SWAC SPORTS HALL OF FAME :: Coach "T" SWAC Hall of Fame induction part of SWAC Championship Weekend

	Coach Thomas has amassed over 45 SWAC Titles in track & field and cross country in his SU coaching career.

Dec. 10, 2007

Southern University Track & Field Coach, Johnny L. Thomas will be inducted into the Southwestern Athletic Conference Sports Hall of Fame on Thursday, December 13th in Birmingham, AL as part of the SWAC Football Championship weekend.

Johnny L. Thomas Sr. was born in 1940 in Baton Rouge, LA, and graduated from McKinley Sr. High School in 1959. Thomas, a Southern University alum, received his B.A. in 1963 and received his master's degree in 1973 from SU.

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 & field to Southern University.

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

Thomas started his coaching career in 1978 as a volunteer coach that lasted until 1984. In 1987 he was named head track & field coach at SU. He moved the women's program through the transition from NAIA to AIAW and on to the NCAA in 1982.

Although the honors have been numerous, some of the more important honors include High School Coach of the Year, Louisiana Track Coach of the Year and SWAC Coach of the Year. Thomas has amassed 45 SWAC Championships in cross-country, indoor and outdoor track & field for both the women's and men's programs.

Thomas is also the creator of the Track Club for Girls and later the Baton Rouge Express Track Club for ages 7-18. He is also the only African American to win Louisiana State Singles Championship in Bowling in addition to publishing an article in Coaches Magazine on hurdling.