Union University Athletics

Brooke Thomas was named the assistant coach for the Union University softball program in August 2014. Now in her first season as assistant coach, Thomas returns to Union’s Fesmire Field after a stellar four year playing career for the Lady Bulldogs.
 
Thomas is a 2013 graduate of Union University with a degree in athletic training. Since graduating Union with her first degree in 2013, Thomas completed and passed her Board of Certification exam for athletic training. She worked as a first aid responder during the Centrifuge summer camps at Union and also worked as an emergency room tech at Regional Hospital during the summer of 2013. She then started the accelerated nursing program at Union in August 2013 and in December of 2014 she looks to finish a second degree from Union with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Thomas then plans to turn her attention to getting a Master’s in Health Administration and would like to continue school to get her Doctorate of Nursing Practice. During the few amounts of down time during the last year, Thomas gave youth pitching and hitting lessons.
 
During her career at Union, she led the Lady Bulldog from the pitching circle to a TranSouth Conference regular season and tournament title as a junior. Union also advanced to the NAIA Softball National Championships and earned their highest ranking in almost 10 years. As a senior, Thomas helped Union to the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) National Title. For her career, Thomas posted a 79-35 record with an ERA of 1.97. For her career, she accumulated 136 appearances, 107 starts, 80 complete games, 20 shutouts, seven saves, 713 strikeouts, in 735.2 innings pitched. As a hitter, she posted a .275 career average (67-243) with 12 doubles, seven home runs, and 32 RBI. She earned numerous honors and awards during her career. As a senior, she was named to the D2ADA Academic Achievement list, Gulf South Conference Academic Honor Roll, NCCAA All-Tournament, All-American, NCCAA Scholar Athlete, and NCCAA Player of the Week. As a junior, she was named NFCA All-Region, NAIA Scholar Athlete, TranSouth Scholar Athlete, TranSouth Pitcher of the Year, TranSouth All-Conference, along with TranSouth and NAIA Pitcher of the Week honors.
 
Thomas played four years of softball at Huntingdon High School where she graduated in 2009. She helped lead her team to District 13A and Region titles in 2006, 2007, and 2008. Thomas was a four-time All-West Tennessee performer, District MVP three times, Team MVP three times, all-district four times, and was named All-State three times. Thomas also earned 2008 Pitcher of the Year Award and was a three-time Sara Beth Whitehead MVP. As a senior, the tossed 246 innings, allowing just 11 earned runs with 487 strikeouts and a 0.31 ERA. She added 19 shutouts and also recorded five home runs and 22 RBI in 100 at-bats. As a junior, she tallied 441 strikeouts in just 216 innings pitched. Thomas tossed eight no-hitters, 11 1-hitters, and 16 shutouts with an ERA of 0.36. As a hitter, she posted a .447 average with five homeruns. Thomas struck out 219 batters as a freshman and 285 as a sophomore. Off the field, Thomas was the Spanish Club President, Yearbook Editor, Academic letter winner for three years, Beta Club, senior class president, science club president, match club vice president, and athletic booster club secretary.