FB: American Rivers Conference

Klompen · June 24, 2009, 11:22:15 PM

I would like to add my thoughts and prayers for the immediate and extended families. Family isn't just about blood ties. I'm sure the entire community of Parkersburg and former players everywhere feel they lost a member of their family today.

From what I have heard and read about Coach Thomas, it is clear that another one coach that put his faith, family and players ahead of X's and O's has left us. I bet Coach Thomas and Schipper are already having strategy sessions, probably on how to find something positive in all this senselessness and praying for Mark Becker. The thoughts and prayers that Aaron requested for his father's killer and his family show the kind of man Coach Thomas was.

Prayers to WH in dealing with this tragic loss.

Alfredeneumann · June 25, 2009, 10:54:17 AM

Wartburg hires new football assistant coach

Willis announces assistant coach hirings

Jun. 25, 2009

Wartburg College director of athletics Rick Willis has announced the hiring of assistant football coach Scott Power and assistant men's soccer coach Josh Sanderson for the 2009-10 academic year.

Power, who will work with the defensive line this fall, fills the vacancy left on the staff when Marcus West took a position at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga at the end of the 2008 season. Prior to arriving in Waverly, he had been the defensive coordinator at Benton Central High School in Indiana in 2007 and 2008.

Power ended a stellar collegiate playing career at Hanover College in Indiana. He went on to play professionally with the Turku Trojans of the European Football League and the Louisville Fire, Green Bay Blizzard, and Quad Cities Steamwheelers of the Arena Football League 2. He earned his bachelor's degree from Indiana University/Purdue University at Indianapolis in 2006.

the_mayne_event · June 25, 2009, 12:27:39 PM

Quote from: Alfredeneumann on June 25, 2009, 10:54:17 AM
He earned his bachelor's degree from Indiana University/Purdue University at Indianapolis in 2006.

IUPUI!!

Alfredeneumann · June 25, 2009, 02:28:32 PM

Ed Thomas Funeral Info
The funeral for Aplington Parkersburg High School football Coach Ed Thomas will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at First Congregational Church, 401 Third St., in Parkersburg, according to the Redman-Schwartz Funeral Home, which is handling arrangements.

Burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Sunday at the First Congregational Church.

From WCF Courier
Trust fund set up for Coach Ed Thomas

PARKERSBURG (KWWL) -- In memory of their beloved coach Ed Thomas, members of the Aplington Parkersburg Booster Club have started an Ed Thomas Memorial Trust fund.

Anyone wanting to donate to the fund can call MidWestOne Bank in Parkersburg at (319) 346-1645.

Other details regarding the fund have yet to be released

FROM KCRG.com
Ed Thomas Memorial Trust Fund Established
By Becky Ogann

Story Updated: Jun 25, 2009 at 11:04 AM CDT
The family of Ed Thomas has established The Ed Thomas Memorial Trust Fund at Midwest One Bank in Parkersburg.

The money donated will go the A-P Booster Club.

You can contact Midwest One Bank at 319-346-1645.

Kohawk Remedy · June 25, 2009, 04:47:57 PM

Quote from: the_mayne_event on June 25, 2009, 12:27:39 PM
Quote from: Alfredeneumann on June 25, 2009, 10:54:17 AM
He earned his bachelor's degree from Indiana University/Purdue University at Indianapolis in 2006.

IUPUI!!

alma mater of George Hill

sportsknight · June 25, 2009, 06:52:39 PM

For those of you on Facebook, please consider joining the group I've started to push for the IHSAA to honor Coach Ed Thomas with a memorial helmet decal or jersey patch for the upcoming season. Link: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=218631325570

davedevine · June 25, 2009, 11:53:24 PM

SK- Good work & idea on the helmet decal.

I assume WH was is in Jamaica along with Todd for that wedding?

Here is a great article that was on espn today about coach Thomas.
http://sports.espn.go.com/highschool/rise/football/news/story?id=4284963

I watched the press conference on-line yesterday on KWWL and I can't believe how well Aaron did speaking at it.
I forgot how much he sounds and acts like his father- which is a big compliment.
There's no way I would have been able to be as composed as he was for that.

Fannosaurus Rex · June 26, 2009, 10:34:16 AM

Go with Shadowbdancing in the Cornhusker tomorrow night. He is moving up in class but he likes to win. He has a competitive jock, should like the Prairie Meadows dirt, and you should get a good price. Too bad for you guys my wife doesn't post on here. She has actually been known to pick a winner.

Kohawk Remedy · June 26, 2009, 10:47:00 AM

Quote from: davedevine on June 25, 2009, 11:53:24 PM
SK- Good work & idea on the helmet decal.

I assume WH was is in Jamaica along with Todd for that wedding?

Here is a great article that was on espn today about coach Thomas.
http://sports.espn.go.com/highschool/rise/football/news/story?id=4284963

I watched the press conference on-line yesterday on KWWL and I can't believe how well Aaron did speaking at it.
I forgot how much he sounds and acts like his father- which is a big compliment.
There's no way I would have been able to be as composed as he was for that.

I thought this was a very well written acticle!!

TheOne89.1 · June 26, 2009, 12:34:43 PM

Quote from: davedevine on June 25, 2009, 11:53:24 PM
SK- Good work & idea on the helmet decal.

I assume WH was is in Jamaica along with Todd for that wedding?

Here is a great article that was on espn today about coach Thomas.
http://sports.espn.go.com/highschool/rise/football/news/story?id=4284963

I watched the press conference on-line yesterday on KWWL and I can't believe how well Aaron did speaking at it.
I forgot how much he sounds and acts like his father- which is a big compliment.
There's no way I would have been able to be as composed as he was for that.

Thanks for posting that article. It was a very well written article. Really got to me. I think the last paragraph, his quote, really says it all.

Alfredeneumann · June 26, 2009, 02:59:15 PM

Aplington-Parkersburg selects co-coaches to replace slain legend

Aplington-Parkersburg has taken one on-the-field step to recover from the shooting death Wednesday of legendary football coach Ed Thomas.

Al Kerns and Jon Wiegmann will be co-coaches for the Falcons.

Milt Ulfers, an Aplington-Parkersburg assistant coach, confirmed the hiring of the two longtime Thomas assistants this morning.

Kerns will run the offense for Aplington-Parkersburg, while Wiegmann will be in charge of the defense.

Wiegmann's son, Coy, is a senior and most likely will be the starting quarterback this fall for the Falcons. The family's house was destroyed in last year's devastating tornado, but they've rebuilt.

FROM http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090626/SPORTS/90626012

davedevine · June 27, 2009, 12:22:17 AM

I was told that article on espn I posted was written by an IA grad.

I also heard today that WH will be singing at the funeral Monday.

Spoke to a friend Thursday night whom was one of my coaches in high school and played for Coach Thomas.
He was hoping that Al Kerns would help take over the head coaching duties for at least the short term because he has been there so long and was close to Coach.

I can't imagine how much emotion there will be in the stands/sidelines/field when A-P has their first game this fall.

warthog · June 27, 2009, 11:26:58 PM

Early tomorrow morning, Mrs. Warthog and I are heading to Mackinac Island for the week. It is a great place to kick back, watch the water, clear one's mind, get refreshed and reflect on life.

After the insanity of this week, I recommend we all take some time to reflect about what is really important: (Family-Faith-Friends)................and for a couple hours on Saturdays in the fall: (Football)

Warhawk 96 · June 28, 2009, 01:14:43 PM

Hey, I know this is quite a bit late but I want to offer my condolences to anyone affected by the death of Coach Ed Thomas. While I didn't know the man, I can relate just as everyone in the football world to the type of man he was. He seems like a local icon and mentor to hundreds of former athletes and I know it must cut deeply to tragically lose someone that has been a large influence of shaping thousands of young boys into young men.

Klopenhiemer · June 29, 2009, 09:22:26 PM

Quote from: warthog on June 27, 2009, 11:26:58 PM
Early tomorrow morning, Mrs. Warthog and I are heading to Mackinac Island for the week. It is a great place to kick back, watch the water, clear one's mind, get refreshed and reflect on life.

After the insanity of this week, I recommend we all take some time to reflect about what is really important: (Family-Faith-Friends)................and for a couple hours on Saturdays in the fall: (Football)

18 more days till I am the journey to Northern Minnesota for the annual week of fishing, boating, wakeboarding, and just general relaxation. After all that has happened I totally agree on taking some time to get back to the basics.

God Bless all of those effected by this terrible tragedy and I hope the young man responsible for this gets the help that he needs. 3 hots and a cot for the rest of his life might be his best alternative at this point.