Young Harris College Athletics

Jim Thomas has been a valued member of the YHC community since 1987. During his tenure, he coached the YHC men's tennis team for seven years and led the men's soccer program for 18 years. He continues to share his love of sports by teaching tennis lessons and working at soccer camps. Over the years, he has also taught more than 30 courses in sport, recreation, and human performance.

Young Harris College honors Jim Thomas for his exceptional contributions to its athletics program with an induction into the YHC Hall of Fame. Thomas served as the head coach of the men's soccer team from 1987-1992 before returning as the Young Harris College men's soccer head coach from 1994 to 2004, building the program into a powerhouse at the junior college level before transitioning into NCAA competition as a member of the advisory board. 

Jim Thomas led the Mountain Lions men's soccer program at Young Harris College to remarkable heights over his 17-season tenure, finishing with an outstanding career record of 213-82-12. A four-time Region 17 Regular Season Champion and the 1997 Region 17 Soccer Coach of the Year, Thomas established a tradition of excellence that saw his teams rank in the top four in the Southeast for 12 consecutive years and achieve national rankings in the top 15 for five straight seasons. His leadership brought home a State Tournament Championship in 1997 and produced 67 All-Region players, seven All-South honorees, and five Academic All-Americans. Under his guidance, three players earned Region MVP honors, four players led the region in scoring, and two players led the nation in scoring, while three goalkeepers were named the best in the region; solidifying his legacy as a transformative figure in Young Harris College athletics.

In addition to his success with men's soccer, Jim Thomas made a significant impact as the head coach of Young Harris College tennis over seven seasons, compiling a career record of 111-49. In 1993, he guided the team to the NJCAA National Tennis Tournament in Corpus Christi, Texas, where they finished 12th in the nation in Division II. His tenure also produced two Academic All-Americans, reflecting his commitment to excellence both on the court and in the classroom. Demonstrating a remarkable versatility in collegiate coaching. Beyond athletics, his contributions as a professor of sport, recreation, and human performance for over three decades have impacted countless students. 

The long list of achievements of Young Harris College legend Jim Thomas do not stop there, as he was also the YHC Athletic Director from 1987 to 1992. Jim Thomas's contributions to Young Harris College extended far beyond coaching, as he played a pivotal role in shaping the athletic department's foundation and growth. He spearheaded the addition of women's softball and men's baseball programs, conceived and chaired the college's first Athletic Committee, and significantly increased the athletic scholarship budget. Thomas also created the first Athletic Handbook, developed the inaugural mission statement for YHC Athletics, and established the first athletic training room by hiring the college's first athletic trainer. His visionary leadership was instrumental in planning and developing all of the current athletic competition and practice fields, leaving an enduring legacy that continues to benefit the Mountain Lions' programs today.

Jim Thomas's time at Young Harris College (currently a sports and recreation studies professor) is defined by a deep commitment to his players and the program. His impact went far beyond the soccer field and tennis courts, shaping athletes not just in their sport, but in their personal growth and future success via the classroom. His legacy is built on years of hard work, passion for coaching, and a genuine care for the students/athletes he mentored, creating a lasting imprint on both the athletic department and the community at YHC.