A Sad day in IOWA

[UnoDallas]

http://boards.espn.go.com/boards/mb/mb?sport=nfl&id=dal&tid=4952537

PARKERSBURG IA -- Tragedy struck Parkersburg again Wednesday after famed high school football coach Ed Thomas was gunned down by a former player and student in the school's weight room

Thomas began his career at Aplington-Parkersburg in 1975.

He has a career record of 292-84, including 156-31 as Aplington-Parkersburg's head coach. He has won two state titles - 1993 and 2001.


Altogether Thomas has led A-P to 19 state playoff appearances. Thomas' win total ranks ninth all-time amongst Iowa high school football coaches.


He was the NFL High School Coach of the Year in 2003

He has four former players active in the NFL -- Brad Meester of Jacksonville; Jared DeVries; Casey Wiegmann of Denver; Aaron Kampman of Green Bay.




he coached about 20 miles from my home town

 

[UnoDallas]

"I was the one who delivered the news to Aaron (Kampman). He was in meetings when we got the news. It’s a tragedy. It’s a tremendous loss, and our heart goes out to (Thomas') family."

— Mike McCarthy, Green Bay Packers coach as told to NFL.com

Everyone's going to have be there for Jared (DeVries) and help him get through this.

— Jim Schwartz, Detroit Lions coach as told to NFL.com
This is a tragic loss for everyone that knew Coach Thomas and our entire state. He was a highly respected educator, coach, mentor and a strong leader in the community, as well as the coaching community throughout Iowa. Ed loved his family and his work, and was an outstanding, selfless person who has impacted countless lives in a very positive way.

"Our entire staff and team extend our deepest sympathies to the Thomas family and the community of Parkersburg."

— Kirk Ferentz, University of Iowa football coach
"It's hard to figure out why anybody would (do that). He's one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. He really cared about every one of those players like (they) were his own kids. It's just hard to believe that somebody would do something like this."

— Brad Meester, former Aplington-Parkersburg player who currently plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars

Coach Thomas was very special to me and many other young men from the Aplington-Parkersburg communities. His legacy for many will be associated with his tremendous success as a football coach.

"However, I believe his greatest legacy comes not in how many football games he won or lost but in the fact that he was a committed follower of Jesus Christ. He lived his life trying to exemplify this faith and convey those values to those under his influence. His faith in Christ pervaded everything he did and that is why in the midst of the heartache we all feel there is comfort in knowing he is with his Savior.”

— Aaron Kampman, in a statement released by the Green Bay Packers
I was extremely saddened to hear the news this morning about the passing of Coach Ed Thomas. He was a great Christian man. I learned a lot from him, both as a player and a man. Last year, you could see exactly what the football program means to Aplington-Parkersburg in the way the community pulled together to restore the football field after the tornado. That is a reflection of Coach Thomas.

"I cannot begin to count the number of lives he affected in this community. I know I carry many of the lessons I learned from him with me every day. My family and I pray for Coach Thomas’ family.”

— Casey Wiegmann, former Aplington-Parkersburg player who now plays for the Denver
Aside from my own father and mother, no one had a more profound impact on my life than Coach Thomas. He truly was like a second father to me and to the hundreds of players from our community he coached over the years.

“Aaron (Kampman), Brad (Meester), Casey (Wiegmann) and I were so proud when he was named the NFL’s High School Coach of the Year in 2005. He truly epitomized everything that is good about high school football and all the things it can teach young men.

“A part of him has been with me through my college and NFL careers and that will never change. I will never forget Coach Thomas. Heaven just got a great football coach and an even better man.”

— Jared DeVries, former Aplington-Parkersburg player who now plays for the Detroit Lions

 

[lane]

the motive for this killing?

 

[UnoDallas]

the motive for this killing?

probably some wack guy stung out on meth

it was a former player

Thomas, 58, was supervising a group of around 20 students around 7:45 a.m., when Mark D. Becker, 24, of rural Parkersburg, came in and shot Thomas several times, according to the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

Late today, Becker had his initial appearance before a district associate judge in Butler County. Bond was set at $1 million, according to jail officials. The court hearing was held inside the jail, according to judicial officials.

Several reports say Thomas was shot in the head. Thomas later died at Covenant Medical Center after being airlifted there.

Kevin Winker, assistant DCI director, said during a press conference Wednesday authorities didn’t an any idea of what caused the shooting.

"I’m not going to speculate at this time as to what motive is," Winker said.

Winker said none of the other students were hurt at the time of the shooting. The school was locked down immediately after word of the shooting got out.

Becker was apprehended on Iowa Highway 14 in rural Parkersburg, near where his parents live. Becker claimed the same address several times in court documents.

Winker said Thomas was shot with a handgun, but did not say what type of caliber it was or who owned the weapon.

Wednesday’s fatal shooting came only days after Becker allegedly led officers on a car chase through three counties.

A state courts database shows a criminal complaint alleging felony eluding was filed by Parkersburg police, but officials at the Butler County Clerk of Courts said the file wasn’t available Wednesday

http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2009/06/24/news/local/doc4a422b5643a1b304896512.txt

 

[UnoDallas]

this should be at the top