University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
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Ahmad Thomas Featured in ‘Faces of the Big South’ Video Series
07.25.2017 | Men's Basketball
"Faces of the Big South" Video
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – UNC Asheville senior guard Ahmad Thomas has been featured by the Big South Conference in their latest "Faces of the Big South" video series.
In the video, Thomas talks with the Big South about working with his mentor Kevin O'Connor through UNC Asheville's "Leaders for Leaders" program to assist the local Special Olympians in getting new gear before the start of the 2016-17 athletic year.
O'Connor and Thomas were matched up through the UNC Asheville Athletics "Leaders for Leaders" program, which pairs student-athletes with members of the Asheville community. According to O'Connor, this was the first flap of the wing in a true Butterfly Effect.
"One day we were having a conversation and Ahmad told me that he wanted to be an elementary school special needs teacher," said O'Connor. "I just couldn't believe that at his age he knew what he wanted and that he was already thinking about ways to serve his community."
But, this doesn't seem so out of the ordinary to Thomas.
"Wanting to work in special education is just something my heart grew into. Being around special needs individuals while I was younger and working with Special Olympics back in my hometown of Danville, Va. brought me so much joy. They are kids who have their own unique powers. I just want to help out, and let them know that they aren't different at all," said Thomas.
"When I started thinking about Ahmad's career plans, it challenged me to think about what I was doing to help others," O'Connor said.
So he reached out to Josh O'Connor (no relation) at the Special Olympics of Buncombe County and asked if there was a place where he could help. As fate would have it - they were looking for a basketball coach.
Kevin found his niche in coaching, but he didn't stop there.
"After seeing our Buncombe County athletes play the Hendersonville County Special Olympic team, it became apparent that our team was in need of some new uniforms. My first call was back to the main guy of this story, Ahmad Thomas, to ask him about what happens with old Asheville uniforms," said O'Connor.
The inquiry led to a meeting with UNC Asheville Athletic Director Janet R. Cone and women's basketball coach Brenda Mock Kirkpatrick, who in turn connected O'Connor with Adidas, who offered to help with the new uniforms.
"We were very excited about the opportunity to collaborate with The WCMA, The Special Olympics of Buncombe County, Adidas and First Team Sports to help create and host a wonderful experience for these young people. Our student-athletes are passionate about serving our community and it's especially rewarding to have the privilege to promote the game we love so much and share that energy with the Special Olympians," said Kirkpatrick.
From there, everything seemed to be falling into place. Thanks to a donation from the Walnut Cove Members' Association, who covered the cost of the team's new uniforms, Kevin and Ahmad's conversation seemed to create a whole new pattern of giving back to the community.
While O'Connor claims the first flap of the butterfly's wings was when he was connected with Thomas, Ahmad Thomas looks to Kevin's leadership as the pair continue to work together to serve Asheville's community.
"By seeing Kevin work hard with this program, and hearing how much he enjoys working with the athletes just makes me want to follow his lead and help out in anyway I can," said Thomas.
A first-team Big South All-Conference selection and NABC All-District selection in the 2016-17 season, Thomas averaged 18.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 2.3 assists per game.
The 2016-17 Big South Conference Defensive Player of the Year will enter his senior season in the 2017-18 season with 1,098 points and 519 rebounds. The 56th player in Big South Conference history to score over 1,000 points and collect over 500 rebounds, Thomas with 189 steals in his career is nearing becoming just the sixth player in league history with 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 200 steals. Thomas' 99 steals this past season for the Bulldogs is a program record.
Thomas and the UNC Asheville men's basketball program picked up their sixth Big South Conference regular-season title in the 2016-17 season (1996-97, 1997-98, 2001-02, 2007-08, 2011-12 and 2016-17).
The Bulldogs will commence the 2017-18 season having collected back-to-back 20-win seasons and having made two straight postseason appearances with the Bulldogs playing in the 2016 NCAA Tournament and the 2017 CollegeInsider.com Tournament.
The 2016-17 Bulldogs earned the second-most wins in program history in a season with 23. Asheville reached 20 wins faster than any other team in program history in 27 games.
UNC Asheville is currently accepting deposits for season tickets, and fans can reserve their season ticket for only $50 per seat. The season ticket includes both men's and women's home regular-season basketball games.
To purchase your tickets today, please visit HERE.
**Portions of this story are from feature originally published on UNCABulldogs.com on July 18, 2016 – Full Story Link**
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – UNC Asheville senior guard Ahmad Thomas has been featured by the Big South Conference in their latest "Faces of the Big South" video series.
In the video, Thomas talks with the Big South about working with his mentor Kevin O'Connor through UNC Asheville's "Leaders for Leaders" program to assist the local Special Olympians in getting new gear before the start of the 2016-17 athletic year.
O'Connor and Thomas were matched up through the UNC Asheville Athletics "Leaders for Leaders" program, which pairs student-athletes with members of the Asheville community. According to O'Connor, this was the first flap of the wing in a true Butterfly Effect.
"One day we were having a conversation and Ahmad told me that he wanted to be an elementary school special needs teacher," said O'Connor. "I just couldn't believe that at his age he knew what he wanted and that he was already thinking about ways to serve his community."
But, this doesn't seem so out of the ordinary to Thomas.
"Wanting to work in special education is just something my heart grew into. Being around special needs individuals while I was younger and working with Special Olympics back in my hometown of Danville, Va. brought me so much joy. They are kids who have their own unique powers. I just want to help out, and let them know that they aren't different at all," said Thomas.
"When I started thinking about Ahmad's career plans, it challenged me to think about what I was doing to help others," O'Connor said.
So he reached out to Josh O'Connor (no relation) at the Special Olympics of Buncombe County and asked if there was a place where he could help. As fate would have it - they were looking for a basketball coach.
Kevin found his niche in coaching, but he didn't stop there.
"After seeing our Buncombe County athletes play the Hendersonville County Special Olympic team, it became apparent that our team was in need of some new uniforms. My first call was back to the main guy of this story, Ahmad Thomas, to ask him about what happens with old Asheville uniforms," said O'Connor.
The inquiry led to a meeting with UNC Asheville Athletic Director Janet R. Cone and women's basketball coach Brenda Mock Kirkpatrick, who in turn connected O'Connor with Adidas, who offered to help with the new uniforms.
"We were very excited about the opportunity to collaborate with The WCMA, The Special Olympics of Buncombe County, Adidas and First Team Sports to help create and host a wonderful experience for these young people. Our student-athletes are passionate about serving our community and it's especially rewarding to have the privilege to promote the game we love so much and share that energy with the Special Olympians," said Kirkpatrick.
From there, everything seemed to be falling into place. Thanks to a donation from the Walnut Cove Members' Association, who covered the cost of the team's new uniforms, Kevin and Ahmad's conversation seemed to create a whole new pattern of giving back to the community.
While O'Connor claims the first flap of the butterfly's wings was when he was connected with Thomas, Ahmad Thomas looks to Kevin's leadership as the pair continue to work together to serve Asheville's community.
"By seeing Kevin work hard with this program, and hearing how much he enjoys working with the athletes just makes me want to follow his lead and help out in anyway I can," said Thomas.
A first-team Big South All-Conference selection and NABC All-District selection in the 2016-17 season, Thomas averaged 18.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 2.3 assists per game.
The 2016-17 Big South Conference Defensive Player of the Year will enter his senior season in the 2017-18 season with 1,098 points and 519 rebounds. The 56th player in Big South Conference history to score over 1,000 points and collect over 500 rebounds, Thomas with 189 steals in his career is nearing becoming just the sixth player in league history with 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 200 steals. Thomas' 99 steals this past season for the Bulldogs is a program record.
Thomas and the UNC Asheville men's basketball program picked up their sixth Big South Conference regular-season title in the 2016-17 season (1996-97, 1997-98, 2001-02, 2007-08, 2011-12 and 2016-17).
The Bulldogs will commence the 2017-18 season having collected back-to-back 20-win seasons and having made two straight postseason appearances with the Bulldogs playing in the 2016 NCAA Tournament and the 2017 CollegeInsider.com Tournament.
The 2016-17 Bulldogs earned the second-most wins in program history in a season with 23. Asheville reached 20 wins faster than any other team in program history in 27 games.
UNC Asheville is currently accepting deposits for season tickets, and fans can reserve their season ticket for only $50 per seat. The season ticket includes both men's and women's home regular-season basketball games.
To purchase your tickets today, please visit HERE.
**Portions of this story are from feature originally published on UNCABulldogs.com on July 18, 2016 – Full Story Link**
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