Hokie ClubCHARLOTTE, N.C. - On Friday afternoon, the ACC annouced the postseason awards for the indoor slate. Director of Track & Field, Ben Thomas, was tabbed as the ACC Men's Track & Field Coach of the Year.
In his first year as director, Ben Thomas led the men's track & field program to it's fourth ACC team title in five seasons. The team championship was the ninth since joining the ACC in 2005 and the 22nd in the program's history.
He coached individuals to titles in the 200m, 400m, 800m and distance medley relay at the championship, and placed five individuals and two relays on the podium. All in all, the men's team brought home 17 All-ACC honors.
Prior to the ACC Indoor Championships, Thomas guided the men's DMR, consisting of Nick Plant, Sam Herenton, Christian Jackson and George Couttie, to a DMR program record of 9:19.88 at the BU DMR Challenge. The 9:19.88 was not only a program record, but the squad's NCAA Indoor Championship qualification mark and the No. 11 all-time NCAA performance in the event.
Throughout the season, Thomas and staff coached two relays and four individuals to NCAA Indoor Championship qualification marks, bringing home five first team all-americans and seven second team all-americans.
During the regular indoor season slate, the men's team shattered program records in the 200m, 500m, mile, 3,000m, 4x400m and DMR and also broke the Rector Field House facility record in the 800m - the most records set by the Hokies in an indoor season.
The ACC Men's Track & Field Coach of the Year is Ben Thomas' first accolade as director of the program.