COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – U.S. Paralympics, a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC), today announced that Dave Thomas has been named Associate Director of Paralympic Swimming High Performance. Since 2000, Thomas has worked at USA Swimming as the Sport Development Consultant for the Southern Zone.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to lead Team USA and the challenges ahead,” said Thomas. “Not only is this a tremendous opportunity for me as a professional, but it’s an honor for me to be able to coach and support some of the best Paralympic swimmers in the world.”
Continuing his work within the Olympic family, Thomas will direct the training and competition of the U.S. Paralympics Swimming National Team, a group that won 44 medals (17 gold, 14 silver and 13 bronze) at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing. Thomas will also lead U.S. Paralympics’ athletic identification and development efforts in swimming.
Thomas was preceded in the position by the late Jimi Flowers, who died in a tragic climbing accident in July 2009. Flowers and Thomas were not only colleagues, but great friends. Thomas intends to continue to strengthen the Paralympic swimming program in the USA as well as the Resident Team Program that experienced great success in Beijing under Flowers.
Among his many achievements during his tenure with USA Swimming, Thomas organized and conducted the successful Open Water Select Camp that has become a primary step to qualifying for the Open Water National Team. He has also been a valuable resource for coaches and clubs in the Southern Zone.
“As the last of the original ‘Zone Consultants,’ Dave has played a significant role in the development of USA Swimming’s field service program and the effective delivery of a wide range of programs and services targeted at the grassroots of our sport,” said Pat Hogan, USA Swimming managing director of club development. “Dave and our field service team have become the face of USA Swimming for many members. His contributions have been many and he has been a dedicated servant for the sport.”
From 1985 to 2000, Thomas was the men’s and women’s head swim coach and aquatic director at Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill. While there, he helped lead his team to numerous conference titles and top-20 national championship finishes and increased the program’s all-time win percentage.
From 1983 to 1985, he held the position of assistant coach of the women’s swim team for the University of Iowa, where he coached several sprinters to All-American status and helped recruit student athletes.
Thomas earned a Bachelor of Arts in physical education from Western State College and a Master of Arts in physical education from the University of Iowa.