Richard Thomas

Position:
Goalkeeper
Height:
5-11
Weight:
175
Class:
Freshman
Hometown:
Richton, MS

General: Outstanding goalkeeper who will compete for playing time this season and be a backup to three-year starter Kris Blindenbacher...as a senior he was named by the Baltimore Sun as first team All-Metro and first team All Baltimore City/County...prior to his senior year he was the backup to Gilman goalie Jay Pfeifer...played on a Gilman team as a senior which had only one starter back from the 2000 MIAA championship squad...played behind a defense which was as inexperienced as he was...he had a breakthrough year as a senior, stopping 265 shots and saving 73 percent of the total shots against him...had a 7.4 goals against average...he endured seven one-goal victories, including four in overtime, as well as four two-goal victories...has a knack for stopping point-blank volleys...turned in his best performances of the season against Loyola with 20 saves, Friends with 23 savesand Boys’ Latin with 17 saves.

Prep: Graduated in June 2001 from The Gilman School in Baltimore...played two years of varsity lacrosse there and two years of varsity football as a wide receiver and safety...on the lacrosse field he was named first-team All-State, All-Metro, All-MIAA and All-City/County as a senior...played on the 1999 and 2000 MIAA football championship team and the 2000 MIAA lacrosse title-winning squad...member of Students Against Drunk Driving and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Personal: Given name is James Richard Thomas...was born November 7, 1982 in Baltimore, Md....is the son of Richard and Joan Thomas...his father played lacrosse at Princeton...has two brothers...undecided on major and career plans...hobbies include skiing, going to the beach and hanging out with friends...athletes he most admires are Ray Lewis, Shaun Palmer and Joe Ehrmann...biggest sports thrill was winning the MIAA lacrosse championship and repeating as MIAA football titlists.