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Reminder Assistant Editor WILBRAHAM Life can be difficult for a college athlete -- trying to balance classes and homework with practices and games - but Mark Thomas, a 2006 graduate of Minnechaug Regional High School, seems to be excelling at it. He maintains a 3.5 GPA and last year was part of a team that won an Eastern College Athletic Conference volleyball championship. Thomas has one thing to worry about as a student-athlete, though. The Newbury College sophomore was recently invited to play on a team representing the United States in an international volleyball tournament in Amsterdam, Holland, in June 2008, and he needs to raise $5,000 to get there. This isn't the first time Thomas has been recognized for his athletic achievements. While at Minnechaug, he played on two volleyball teams and one basketball team that won Western Massachusetts championship titles. He was named to the All-Scholastic First Team for volleyball in 2006, Athlete of the Week by The Republican in May 2006 and North East Collegiate Volleyball Association's Rookie of the Week earlier this year. He has also won a slam dunk contest at Clark University. During his freshman volleyball season at college, Thomas ranked tenth in his conference for blocks and twenty-fifth in kills. He said he hopes to rank in the top five in both categories this season. Thomas said his best friend is the one who convinced him to start playing volleyball his junior year of high school. Through high school and into college, Thomas has always played the middle hitter's position. The middle hitter performs very fast attacks that usually take place near the setter. He specializes in blocking, since he must attempt to stop equally fast plays from opponents and then quickly set up a double block at the sides of the court. At 6'4", Thomas said he is actually a bit short as a middle hitter. He said most collegiate middle hitters are 6'7" or 6'8". Last year, Newbury College's men's volleyball team was ranked twelfth in the nation. The head volleyball coach from Mount Ida College, Doug Porrell, invited Thomas and his teammate Brian McDermott to join a 10-player volleyball team to represent the nation at an international competition. "Volleyball is huge in Europe," Thomas said. "This is my first big time opportunity." He added he has never been to Europe before. There are professional volleyball teams there, and Thomas said he would not hesitate to move to Europe if a team were to offer him a contract. "Playing in this competition will be a nerve-wracking experience but it's also exciting," he said. To play in the tournament, however, Thomas has to provide his own transportation to and from Amsterdam, lodging and meals overseas. He found out he was invited to the tournament on Oct. 10 and the games take place June 5 - 13, 2008. To help offset the costs of the trip, Thomas' family put together a spaghetti dinner as a fundraiser last Saturday. His father, Mark Thomas Sr., said as of Oct. 30, 100 guests had been confirmed for the dinner, with tickets costing $10 each. The elder Thomas added that a lot of people have been donating money as well. "He's really a good kid," his father said. "I will do anything I can do to help him accomplish his goals." Thomas' father also said that he's ecstatic not only as a parent but also as a fan. "I can see the potential he has," he said. All those who wish to assist Thomas with his trip to the tournament who could not attend the spaghetti dinner are invited to send donations to Mark Thomas Sr., 11 Blacksmith Rd., Wilbraham, MA 01095 or Bank of America, 124 Cabot St., Chicopee, MA 01013. Please make checks payable to Mark Thomas Team USA Fund. "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity," Thomas said. As excited as he is for the tournament, he may be just as excited for this year's collegiate volleyball season. "Pre-season starts in two weeks, and we're looking forward to dominating the division this year," he added. | ||||||
