BU Athletics Mourns the Passing of Hall of Famer Kevin Thomas '56
February 3, 2025 | Men's Basketball
BOSTON — The Boston University Department of Athletics is saddened to learn of the recent passing of BU Hall of Famer Kevin Thomas (Wheelock'56, '60), who established 10 scoring records for the men's basketball team over a three-year period and later served as an assistant coach in multiple stints with the Terriers. The program retired his No. 4 jersey in 1999.
"Kevin was one of the all time great players in our storied history but anyone will tell you that he was much more than that as a friend, a husband, a father and a teammate," said head coach Joe Jones. "Kevin was a true Terrier and had a great affection for our University and basketball program. Our sincere condolences to the Thomas family; we lost someone special. Rest my friend."
Standing 6-foot-8, Thomas was one of the first true "big men" to don the scarlet and white after playing just one year of hoops at Our Lady's High School in Newton. Recruited by then head coach Matt Zunic, he averaged more than 20 points and 15 rebounds his junior year and was able to increase his scoring average as a senior to 23.3 points. Thanks to his athletic accomplishments, he garnered All-America honorable mention recognition and the University's Mickey Cochrane Award as the top male athlete while also becoming the program's all-time leading scorer with 1,138 points. The two-time All-East honoree still holds the single-game records for most field goals with 21 against Rutgers and most rebounds at 34 against Boston College.
Selected as the top pick in the sixth round of the 1956 NBA Draft by the Rochester Royals, Thomas spent two seasons playing with the Philadelphia SPHAs, a team primarily known for touring with the Harlem Globetrotters. He returned to BU as freshman and assistant basketball coach for the 1958-59 season while pursuing a master's in education. After helping the Terriers post a 20-7 record and advance to the Elite Eight during their first NCAA tournament appearance, he moved to the high school level in Massachusetts to serve as head coach at Randolph, Ayer and Wakefield.
While still working as a high school teacher-coach, Thomas rejoined BU's staff in 1971 as the freshman basketball coach. Three years later, head coach Roy Sigler elevated him to assistant coach with new duties that included local recruiting and scouting. After Sigler left the program, Thomas spent one more year as an assistant during Rick Pitino's first season at the helm in 1978-79.
Thomas is predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Elinor Schofield Thomas (SAR'55), and survived by his two children, Betsy and Bill.
"Kevin was one of the all time great players in our storied history but anyone will tell you that he was much more than that as a friend, a husband, a father and a teammate," said head coach Joe Jones. "Kevin was a true Terrier and had a great affection for our University and basketball program. Our sincere condolences to the Thomas family; we lost someone special. Rest my friend."
Standing 6-foot-8, Thomas was one of the first true "big men" to don the scarlet and white after playing just one year of hoops at Our Lady's High School in Newton. Recruited by then head coach Matt Zunic, he averaged more than 20 points and 15 rebounds his junior year and was able to increase his scoring average as a senior to 23.3 points. Thanks to his athletic accomplishments, he garnered All-America honorable mention recognition and the University's Mickey Cochrane Award as the top male athlete while also becoming the program's all-time leading scorer with 1,138 points. The two-time All-East honoree still holds the single-game records for most field goals with 21 against Rutgers and most rebounds at 34 against Boston College.
Selected as the top pick in the sixth round of the 1956 NBA Draft by the Rochester Royals, Thomas spent two seasons playing with the Philadelphia SPHAs, a team primarily known for touring with the Harlem Globetrotters. He returned to BU as freshman and assistant basketball coach for the 1958-59 season while pursuing a master's in education. After helping the Terriers post a 20-7 record and advance to the Elite Eight during their first NCAA tournament appearance, he moved to the high school level in Massachusetts to serve as head coach at Randolph, Ayer and Wakefield.
While still working as a high school teacher-coach, Thomas rejoined BU's staff in 1971 as the freshman basketball coach. Three years later, head coach Roy Sigler elevated him to assistant coach with new duties that included local recruiting and scouting. After Sigler left the program, Thomas spent one more year as an assistant during Rick Pitino's first season at the helm in 1978-79.
Thomas is predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Elinor Schofield Thomas (SAR'55), and survived by his two children, Betsy and Bill.
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