LEXINGTON, Ky. — Althea Thomas, a member of the 2000 and 2003 NCAA Division I Outdoor Championship team at LSU, has been named Kentucky’s assistant track and field coach of women’s sprinting events, head coach Don Weber announced Wednesday.
“I am very pleased to have Althea Thomas join our staff,” head coach Don Weber said. “She has a superb track and field pedigree. Her father has been a track and field coach for 30 years, so she has competed and coached with her dad’s Alabama Striders Club for years. She’s also a former athlete at LSU and competed for the Tigers during their glory days of multiple NCAA Championships.
“Personally, she is one of the most impressive young coaches I know and I’m certain will be a great addition to our staff.”
Thomas is joining Kentucky from UAB where she spent two years as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. While at UAB, her duties included evaluating the fitness level of student-athletes, implementing a training regimen and serving as the coaching staff liaison with academic services. As recruiting coordinator, Thomas also sought out, evaluated and recruited perspective student athletes.
“I am excited to join the SEC and join Coach Weber and his staff here at the University of Kentucky, Althea Thomas said. “UK has some very talented athletes and is an attractive school for any student-athlete. I look forward to helping the team continue to build on its current tradition and reach even greater accomplishments.”
Prior to her stint with UAB, Thomas began her career as the head track and field coach at Huffman High School (2004-2006) in Birmingham where she tutored 11 athletes to the Alabama All-State track and field team. Her next stop in a quickly escalating career was Sharon High School (2006-2007) in Sharon, Mass., as the head track and field coach where she led nine more athletes to All-State status.
During her four-year career at LSU (1999-2003) as a student-athlete she made three SEC finals appearances in the 400-meter hurdles while earning All-SEC honors in two of those three years. Thomas was a major contributor in capturing four Division I NCAA track and field team championships at LSU and was on the school-record holding and national champion 4x400m relay team.
Thomas graduated from LSU with a bachelor in Kinesiology along with a double minor in biology and psychology. Thomas earned the Director’s cup award for Academic Excellence and SEC Honor Roll in 2002 and 2003. Thomas is now pursuing a master’s degree in Exercise Physiology at UAB and currently has a 4.0 GPA.
