Missouri Southern State University - Crossroads Yearbook (Joplin, MO)

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College still remembers John Thomas One of the most popular players to ever don a Missouri Southern basketball uniform, John Thomas was inducted into the Col¬ lege’s Athletic Hall of Fame Saturday as part of the 1985 Homecoming activities. Thomas, who graduated from Southern in 1973 with a degree in elementary educa¬ tion, led the Lions to successive NAIA Na¬ tional Tournament berths. He’s the leading rebounder in Southern history (1,536) and the No. 3 career scorer (1,774 points). Thomas, now 35, is currently the assis¬ tant basketball coach and remedial reading instructor at Aliquippa (Fa.) High School. He received a master’s degree in education from the University of Pittsburgh in 1976 and a reading specialist degree from Du- quesne University in 1983. “Quite frequently I tell my players and friends that the four years I spent at Missouri Southern might have been the best four years of my life,” said Thomas. “I’ll never forget Missouri Southern. “People in this state brag about Penn State and other schools, but I’ll match Missouri Southern up w ith anybody.” Although it has been over 12 years since he played his last game for Southern, Thomas is still fondly remembered at the College. “John was a gentleman’s gentleman,” said Dr. Glenn Dolence, vice president for stu¬ dent affairs. “He was an excellent represen¬ tative for Missouri Southern. I feel very for¬ tunate to have known John Thomas.” Said Dr. David Bingman, director of con¬ tinuing education, “John’s name looms above most others from that particular era. He was a giant of that time.” It was almost by accident that Thomas came to Southern in 1969. After graduating from Aliquippa High School, he was plan¬ ning to attend Robert Morris College, but not play basketball. His high school friend, Venzella “Pee Wee” Young, who was the trainer for the basketball Lions, informed Southern coach Frank Davis that he could be recruited. “Coach Davis had never seen me play, but decided to give me a chance,” said Thomas. “I appreciate the opportunity he gave me.” Davis, in fact, recruited a majority of Southern’s basketball team from the eastern United States during his tenure. Joining Thomas were Leroy Bowie, Cicero and Jim¬ my Lassiter from Pennsylvania, Tom Agnello and Craig Kuzirian from New Jersey, and Art Finley from Ohio. It was Thomas, though, who stood out above his teammates. Earning the reputa¬ tion as “Mr. Basketball” at Southern, he was a four-year starter at center for the Lions. Although only 6-foot-4y2, his forte was rebounding. “Assistant coach R.C. Shipley worked with me on using what I had,” said Thomas. “I wasn’t a great leaper, but I had good strength and a lot of determination. I always gave 100 per cent.” During his college career, it was frequently said by Southern fans that Thomas was “not particularly tall, and didn’t jump or shoot that well, but all he does is beat you.” “He wasn’t that impressive in his movements, and he wasn’t that fast,” said Dr. Sam Starkey, associate professor of psychology. “His opponents could out-jump him, but John would manage to get the re¬ bounds. He was a garbage collector underneath the boards.” Said Dolence, “John was a fierce com¬ petitor and a hard worker. He progressed tremendously in the four years he was here.” Two games, near the end of his college career, stand out in Thomas’ mind. He remembers Southern’s 83-71 upset victory over Drury College in the finals of the NAIA District 16 tournament and the Lions’ 70-63 win over Fairmont State in the opening round of the NAIA National Tournament. “Before the Drury game the fellas and I got together and just knew we would beat them,” he said. “Craig Kuzirian just told us that we were going to win it.” After that game, in which Thomas scored 24 points and grabbed 17 rebounds, Southern assistant football coach Charles Wade remarked, “How about that big guy? He may not be quick enough or big enough to play pro basketball, but he’s a heckuva college player.” Thomas remembers the Fairmont State victory because “they came in ranked sixth in the nation, and we knocked them off. The fans really rallied behind us.” He was drafted in the eighth round in 1973 by the Houston Rockets of the Na¬ tional Basketball Association, but never at¬ tended the team tryouts. “I looked at my chances ahd weighed them with getting a job,” said Thomas. “I also had some knee problems that were a factor.” He said that he will always hold a special place for the College . “There was a closeness at Missouri Southern that I didn’t find at too many other places. The people in Joplin were very nice to me. All the faculty seemed to be caring. They were all there to lend a helping hand.” Thomas ★

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(Right) Terron Jackson talks with Glenn Dolence during a • Homecoming reception. (Far right) Jackson and John Thomas reminisce at the Homecoming foot¬ ball game. (Below) Jackson is in¬ terviewed for an edition of “Southern Perspective — Photos by Allen Stinebrook Jackson joins Athletic Hall of Fame In the modest trophy case located in the lobby of Robert Ellis Young Gymnasium is a small picture of Terron Jackson. Jackson led the football Lions to the NAIA National Championship in 1972, and was selected to the All-American first team that year. Jackson, now 37, is quality control manager for IBM’s National Accounts Divi¬ sion at White Plains, N.Y. In 1985 Jackson was inducted into the Missouri Southern Athletic Hall of Fame. “It was a bit of a shock,” said Jackson. “To be inducted into something like this is the pinnacle of an individual’s career.” Jackson came to Southern in 1968 while working for IBM and taking night classes. In 1970, he took an educational leave from IBM and became a full-time student and of¬ fensive tackle at Southern. “I looked around to several places to see where I could get into a good computer science program,” said Jackson, “and that is mainly why I went to Southern. “The athletes lived in the trailer down by the Barn Theatre,” he said. “Those were bare-boned facilities. “When I look back on it, I’d say that the education was excellent,” he said. “I really think that I came out ahead. “I can remember burning a lot of the mid¬ night oil trying to get my programs accep¬ table for Dr. [John] Cragin.” Said Cragin, “He didn’t expect special treatment because of his athletic prowess. He just did his job.” College President Julio Leon remembers Jackson as a student who was particularly interested in doing well on and off the foot¬ ball field. “He was just one of those students who excelled at everything,” said Leon. Jackson graduated in the summer of 1973 with a bachelor of science degree in business administration and an associate degree in computer science. He was drafted that year by the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League, and attended their summer camp in Scott¬ sdale, Ariz. “I signed a contract that seems like peanuts today,” said Jackson. “It was only for about $17,000.” Jackson was placed on an injury waiver when his foot was stepped on by another player who was wearing metal cleats. “I came back to the point where I could play,” said Jackson, “but 1 decided to go to work for IBM, and I never looked back. “You always say, ‘I could’ve played, and done well,’ but I still look at it today and say I made the right decision.” Currently, Jackson is living in Weston, Conn., with his wife, Mary, formerly Mary Gant of Joplin; his daughter, Tahnee, and his son, Tony, who is the No. 1 ranked high school basketball player in Connecticut. “He was born in Joplin in 1968,” said Jackson. “Now, he’s being recruited by six major universities.” Those universities include Notre Dame, Wake Forest, and Boston College. “He’s doing pretty good,” said Jackson, “but, the key thing is to get a good educa¬ tion.” Jackson has been employed by IBM for 17 years. “It takes a lot of time to do a good job,” he said. Jackson said he was surprised when he learned that he would be inducted into Southern’s Athletic Hall of Fame. “I’ll have it for the rest of my life,” said Jackson. “Nobody can ever take that away from me.” Jackson ★

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(Right) Burrow and Ken Ward as Monsieur Fleu- rante, the apothecary. (Far right) Flill and Gerrie-Ellen Johnston. (Top right) Gina Robbins as Louise , younger daughter of Ardin.