Track VFL & All-American Willie Thomas Passes Away at 67

Willie Thomas was a two-time NCAA champion, winning the 800m in 1972 and the 880y in 1974

September 28, 2017

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- VFL and former Tennessee track standout Willie Thomas passed away this week in Chicago at the age of 67 after battling cancer.
Thomas was a three-year letter winner from 1972-1974, and a member of Tennessee's 1974 NCAA outdoor championship team.
In his time as a Vol, Thomas was also a three-time All-American, two-time NCAA champion and five-time SEC champ.
Thomas played a big part of Tennessee securing its 1974 NCAA outdoor championship as he won the 880-yard run in 1:48.72, a mark that still stands as the second-best in UT history.
In 1972, Thomas' 800-meter championship helped Tennessee to a 10th place NCAA outdoor finish.
On the SEC stage, Thomas was a part of the indoor 4x800 meter relay championship team in 1972 and 1973, and also won the 800-meters at both the indoor and outdoor championships in 1973.
Thomas was also inducted into UT's athletic hall of fame in March of 2016.
Thomas, a Chicago native, came to UT in 1972 by way of transfer from Florida A&M following his freshman season. Before that, he was a high school All-American at Englewood High School in Chicago. Following his career with the Vols, Thomas returned to Chicago, where he worked as a city employee, and later, as an employee for the University of Chicago.
Thomas' life will be celebrated on Friday in Chicago.