Anyone trying to understand the reason behind Virginia Tech's unprecedented success on the softball diamond doesn't have to look any further than head coach Scot Thomas. Since taking the job on July 5, 1995, Thomas has personally handled every element of building the program from buying the first pieces of equipment, to hiring the assistants and recruiting the players. The results are nothing short of phenomenal.
Since the first season Tech fielded a softball team in 1996, Thomas has had 11 non-losing seasons in 14 campaigns, has led the Hokies to four NCAA appearances, two ACC titles and in 2008, took Tech to the biggest show in college softball.
Thomas grew up in Blacksburg where he dreamed of one day becoming a coach at Tech. Having faithfully watched Hokie athletics his entire life, along with having parents who worked at Virginia Tech, he understood the dedication to excellence and the commitment to quality the University demanded, and he was a perfect match for the program's philosophy.
Thomas dreamed of building a nationally recognized program from the beginning. People warned him that it would take years for Virginia Tech to become a player in the region, not to mention on the national scene. Now entering his 15th season with over 500 wins, Thomas has positioned Hokie softball as one of the most respected programs, not only in the state and region, but has put it on the national map as well. A 2008 Women's College World Series appearance was the latest step as Thomas is perpetually looking to lead his team to new heights.
In 2008, with the best player in the country, he led the Hokies to new levels, culminating with a trip to Oklahoma City for the WCWS. After finishing second in the regular season, the Hokies rolled through the ACC Tournament for the second time in a row, guaranteeing them their fourth-straight NCAA Regional appearance. A 49-19 record, as well as the National Player of the Year in Angela Tincher, secured a special place in the history of Hokie softball. He also led his team to a historic upset of the U.S. National Team, breaking the Red, White & Blue's 185-game, pre-Olympic exhibition tour winning streak with a 1-0 win. This is the same program that had won the previous three Olympic gold medals in the sport and took silver in Beijing. Thomas and his staff were honored for the second-straight year as the Northeast Region Coaching Staff of the Year for the way they led the team in 2008.
In 2007, he saw his team post 49 wins, including the ACC's regular season and conference tournament championships. Those titles were the first in the program's history and helped him earn ACC Coach of the Year honors. He also picked up his 400th career win, a 3-0 victory over Stetson, and saw his team finish ranked 14th in the country. Additionally, Thomas - along with his three assistants - were named the Northeast Region Coaching Staff of the Year by the NFCA.
In 2006, the Hokies won 39 games and were a No. 2 seed at the Knoxville Regional, despite starting seven sophomores or freshmen down the stretch. He helped coach Tech's first softball All-American, as well as five all-region and four all-conference selections.
In 2005, Tech picked up 44 wins and was selected to the NCAA Tournament, a first in the program's history. After finishing seventh in the conference, the Hokies made a dramatic run to the championship game to secure the bid.
Last year, he may have done one of his best coaching jobs as he helped lead the team to 28 wins and a semifinal berth in the ACC Tournament. He did this while dealing with a slow start, injuries and replacing the national player of the year from one year earlier. Jenna Rhodes, who came to Tech as an invited walk-on, broke several school records en route to earning third-team All-America honors.
Thomas became Tech's first head softball coach when he was hired on July 7, 1995. Since then, he has recorded 511 wins, averaged 37 wins per season and made the conference tournament championship game seven times.
The Hokies finished a spectacular 1999 season ranked 25th in the nation with a 54-16 record. In just its fourth year as a varsity sport, the team placed second at the A-10 tournament and Thomas was named the Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year. Tech's hopes for a regional at-large bid were denied, but it did receive the national attention it had been working for. An upset of No. 4 Michigan highlighted the season. Tech finished the year undefeated at home and 14-2 in Atlantic 10 play, losing only to UMass. The Hokies had the third-longest winning streak in the nation at 26, and at one point won 35 of 36 games.
In 2000, his first recruiting class left its mark on the program as the Hokies went 41-22 and finished second in the A-10 Tournament. Atlantic 10 Player of the Year and two-time GTE National First-Team Academic All-American Michelle Meadows led the team both on the field and off.
While success on the field is important, Thomas also places a strong emphasis on success in the classroom. In 14 seasons, he has had five players earn Academic All-America honors. Michelle Johnson made the 1998 second-team squad while Meadows was a three-time selection, the last two being on the first team. Following the 2002 season, Ashlee Dobbe earned first-team honors and Angela Tincher was a three-time Academic All-American, including Academic All-America of the Year honors for softball in 2008. Those classroom honors went along with three NFCA/Louisville Slugger All-America honors, including the National Player of the Year honor in 2008, and the Honda Award, the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award and an NCAA Top VIII honor. In 2009, Rhodes earned second-team honors, in addition to the third-team All-America honors on the field as given by the NFCA.
As time passes and the program grows, so does his players' impact in the pro league and internationally. Has three former players currently playing in the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF): Tincher and Kelsey Hoffman with the Akron Racers and Rhodes with the Rockford Thunder.
He has also had five current or former players represent their respective country in international events: Tincher (USA), Shanel Garofalo (Italy), Charisse Mariconda (Puerto Rico), Richelle McGarva and Jess Hodge (Canada).
Respected by many, Thomas has been named the Virginia State Coach of the Year by the Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) a record five times (1999, 2000, 2002, 2005 and 2008). He has had 23 different players named to the all-state team 50 different times, including at least three on every team in 11 of the last 12 seasons. Two players have earned state player of the year honors and one was named rookie of the year, while Tincher was named the pitcher of the year three times.
Thomas graduated from East Tennessee State University in 1991 with a bachelor's in physical education. He is on the Louisville Slugger advisory staff for the 14th straight year and is also on the NCAA Regional Committee. He was also selected to be the head coach of a group of local collegiate all-stars who took on the U.S. Olympic Softball Team in Salem, Va., in the summer of 2004 and did so again in the summer of 2008.
Thomas is also an active ballplayer in the fastpitch world, playing in the ASA Men's B Nationals in 2003 and the NSA World Series in 2004 and 2005 and was chosen to play with a team that took on the USA men's national team as part of its tour to prepare for the 2009 ISF World Championships.
Thomas graduated from Blacksburg High where he was a member of the football and baseball teams. He is married to the former Carolyn Croy, a Tech graduate from Blacksburg. His mother, Judy Ridinger, has worked at Virginia Tech for over 40 years, and his late stepfather, Jack Ridinger, was captain of the Virginia Tech Police Department.
The couple has a son, Andrew Scot, who is 12, and a daughter, Eliza Leigh, who is 8.
Thomas Year-By-Year
Year
Overall
Pct.
Conference
Pct.
Notes
1996
16-32
.333
6-10 (Atlantic 10)
.375
Inaugural Season; 8-game winning streak
1997
24-32
.429
9-9 (Atlantic 10)
.500
1998
32-31
.508
9-9 (Atlantic 10)
.500
1999
54-16
.771
14-2 (Atlantic 10)
.875
A-10 Runner-up; 26-game winning streak; VaSID State Coach of the Year
2000
41-22
.651
12-4 (Atlantic 10)
.750
Atlantic 10 Runner-up; VaSID State Coach of the Year
2001
36-23
.610
12-8 (BIG EAST)
.600
First season in BIG EAST; Fourth consecutive winning season
2002
42-18
.700
12-8 (BIG EAST)
.600
BIG EAST Runner-up; 13- and 12-game winning streaks; VaSID State Coach of the Year
2003
21-29
.420
6-12 (BIG EAST)
.333
Three NFCA First-Team All-Northeast Region Selections
2004
36-23
.610
9-11 (BIG EAST)
.450
2005
44-25
.638
4-13 (ACC)
.235
NCAA Regional appearance
2006
39-21
.650
12-4 (ACC)
.750
NCAA Regional appearance
2007
49-16
.753
15-5 (ACC)
.750
ACC Champs, NCAA Regional appearance
2008
49-19
.721
16-5 (ACC)
.762
ACC Champs, Women's College World Series appearance
Roth Report
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Anyone trying to understand the reason behind Virginia Tech's unprecedented success on the softball diamond doesn't have to look any further than head coach Scot Thomas. Since taking the job on July 5, 1995, Thomas has personally handled every element of building the program from buying the first pieces of equipment, to hiring the assistants and recruiting the players. The results are nothing short of phenomenal.
Since the first season Tech fielded a softball team in 1996, Thomas has had 11 non-losing seasons in 14 campaigns, has led the Hokies to four NCAA appearances, two ACC titles and in 2008, took Tech to the biggest show in college softball.
Thomas grew up in Blacksburg where he dreamed of one day becoming a coach at Tech. Having faithfully watched Hokie athletics his entire life, along with having parents who worked at Virginia Tech, he understood the dedication to excellence and the commitment to quality the University demanded, and he was a perfect match for the program's philosophy.
Thomas dreamed of building a nationally recognized program from the beginning. People warned him that it would take years for Virginia Tech to become a player in the region, not to mention on the national scene. Now entering his 15th season with over 500 wins, Thomas has positioned Hokie softball as one of the most respected programs, not only in the state and region, but has put it on the national map as well. A 2008 Women's College World Series appearance was the latest step as Thomas is perpetually looking to lead his team to new heights.
In 2008, with the best player in the country, he led the Hokies to new levels, culminating with a trip to Oklahoma City for the WCWS. After finishing second in the regular season, the Hokies rolled through the ACC Tournament for the second time in a row, guaranteeing them their fourth-straight NCAA Regional appearance. A 49-19 record, as well as the National Player of the Year in Angela Tincher, secured a special place in the history of Hokie softball. He also led his team to a historic upset of the U.S. National Team, breaking the Red, White & Blue's 185-game, pre-Olympic exhibition tour winning streak with a 1-0 win. This is the same program that had won the previous three Olympic gold medals in the sport and took silver in Beijing. Thomas and his staff were honored for the second-straight year as the Northeast Region Coaching Staff of the Year for the way they led the team in 2008.
In 2007, he saw his team post 49 wins, including the ACC's regular season and conference tournament championships. Those titles were the first in the program's history and helped him earn ACC Coach of the Year honors. He also picked up his 400th career win, a 3-0 victory over Stetson, and saw his team finish ranked 14th in the country. Additionally, Thomas - along with his three assistants - were named the Northeast Region Coaching Staff of the Year by the NFCA.
In 2006, the Hokies won 39 games and were a No. 2 seed at the Knoxville Regional, despite starting seven sophomores or freshmen down the stretch. He helped coach Tech's first softball All-American, as well as five all-region and four all-conference selections.
In 2005, Tech picked up 44 wins and was selected to the NCAA Tournament, a first in the program's history. After finishing seventh in the conference, the Hokies made a dramatic run to the championship game to secure the bid.
Last year, he may have done one of his best coaching jobs as he helped lead the team to 28 wins and a semifinal berth in the ACC Tournament. He did this while dealing with a slow start, injuries and replacing the national player of the year from one year earlier. Jenna Rhodes, who came to Tech as an invited walk-on, broke several school records en route to earning third-team All-America honors.
Thomas became Tech's first head softball coach when he was hired on July 7, 1995. Since then, he has recorded 511 wins, averaged 37 wins per season and made the conference tournament championship game seven times.
The Hokies finished a spectacular 1999 season ranked 25th in the nation with a 54-16 record. In just its fourth year as a varsity sport, the team placed second at the A-10 tournament and Thomas was named the Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year. Tech's hopes for a regional at-large bid were denied, but it did receive the national attention it had been working for. An upset of No. 4 Michigan highlighted the season. Tech finished the year undefeated at home and 14-2 in Atlantic 10 play, losing only to UMass. The Hokies had the third-longest winning streak in the nation at 26, and at one point won 35 of 36 games.
In 2000, his first recruiting class left its mark on the program as the Hokies went 41-22 and finished second in the A-10 Tournament. Atlantic 10 Player of the Year and two-time GTE National First-Team Academic All-American Michelle Meadows led the team both on the field and off.
While success on the field is important, Thomas also places a strong emphasis on success in the classroom. In 14 seasons, he has had five players earn Academic All-America honors. Michelle Johnson made the 1998 second-team squad while Meadows was a three-time selection, the last two being on the first team. Following the 2002 season, Ashlee Dobbe earned first-team honors and Angela Tincher was a three-time Academic All-American, including Academic All-America of the Year honors for softball in 2008. Those classroom honors went along with three NFCA/Louisville Slugger All-America honors, including the National Player of the Year honor in 2008, and the Honda Award, the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award and an NCAA Top VIII honor. In 2009, Rhodes earned second-team honors, in addition to the third-team All-America honors on the field as given by the NFCA.
As time passes and the program grows, so does his players' impact in the pro league and internationally. Has three former players currently playing in the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF): Tincher and Kelsey Hoffman with the Akron Racers and Rhodes with the Rockford Thunder.
He has also had five current or former players represent their respective country in international events: Tincher (USA), Shanel Garofalo (Italy), Charisse Mariconda (Puerto Rico), Richelle McGarva and Jess Hodge (Canada).
Respected by many, Thomas has been named the Virginia State Coach of the Year by the Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) a record five times (1999, 2000, 2002, 2005 and 2008). He has had 23 different players named to the all-state team 50 different times, including at least three on every team in 11 of the last 12 seasons. Two players have earned state player of the year honors and one was named rookie of the year, while Tincher was named the pitcher of the year three times.
Thomas graduated from East Tennessee State University in 1991 with a bachelor's in physical education. He is on the Louisville Slugger advisory staff for the 14th straight year and is also on the NCAA Regional Committee. He was also selected to be the head coach of a group of local collegiate all-stars who took on the U.S. Olympic Softball Team in Salem, Va., in the summer of 2004 and did so again in the summer of 2008.
Thomas is also an active ballplayer in the fastpitch world, playing in the ASA Men's B Nationals in 2003 and the NSA World Series in 2004 and 2005 and was chosen to play with a team that took on the USA men's national team as part of its tour to prepare for the 2009 ISF World Championships.
Thomas graduated from Blacksburg High where he was a member of the football and baseball teams. He is married to the former Carolyn Croy, a Tech graduate from Blacksburg. His mother, Judy Ridinger, has worked at Virginia Tech for over 40 years, and his late stepfather, Jack Ridinger, was captain of the Virginia Tech Police Department.
The couple has a son, Andrew Scot, who is 12, and a daughter, Eliza Leigh, who is 8.
Thomas Year-By-Year
