University of Lynchburg’s new director of cross country and track and field is anything but a new face to the program. Doug Thomasey ’05 was named Wednesday to replace legendary mentor Dr. Jack Toms ’69 and will over-see all six highly successful Hornet programs: men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s indoor track and field, and men’s and women’s outdoor track and field.
Thomasey was a double mathematics and Spanish major at LC, earning the outstanding senior student in both areas. Additionally, he earned Lynchburg’s scholar-athlete award as a sophomore and senior. Thomasey was awarded one of 29 national NCAA Postgraduate Scholarships with his combined academic and athletic achievements.
A two-time All-American in the decathlon, he has served as an assistant for the LC track teams the last two years and as an assistant professor of mathematics at the college.
As an assistant to Dr. Toms, Thomasey oversaw all duties associated with athletes in the throwing areas and assisted in the responsibilities of hosting championship track meets and recruiting. Hornet athletes had two national qualifiers, set four school records and boasted 11 conference champions under his tutelage.
“We are very happy to have someone as qualified and respected like Doug as our new director of cross country and track and field at University of Lynchburg,” said Dr. Toms, who will remain director of athletics. “He understands the tradition of great student-athletes and teams that have passed through those programs over the years since he was an outstanding student-athlete himself and competed with and coached many others. I think Doug can take our teams to great heights.”
The men’s cross country team has won the last two ODAC titles, while the women also captured the conference crown in 2009. The women’s programs have won 15 combined ODAC titles while each men’s track team has won 24.
“I am honored to become the new head coach for a program that has done so much to shape my life,” said Thomasey. “Dr. Toms was the reason I decided to attend Lynchburg for my undergraduate degree and now to be able to return that favor to this program makes it as if everything has come full circle.
“What he has done with the cross country and track and field teams is nothing short of spectacular. I have a lot to live up to, but with the coaching staff that we have, as well as with Dr. Toms still around for advice, I plan to continue the traditions and improve on what Lynchburg has already accomplished on a national level.”
