Ruth Thomas
The Ottumwa Community School District’s athletic director has announced that Ruth Thomas has been selected as the head varsity volleyball coach for the 2016-17 season. Thomas currently teaches PE at Douma Elementary School and coaches middle school volleyball.
Thomas brings extensive volleyball experience to the position, both as a player and a coach. As a player, Thomas was a three year varsity starter at Iowa City High School, a two year varsity starter at both Grand View College and Simpson College. As a coach, she brings 26 years of coaching experience to the position, She was a junior college assistant coach at Western Arizona JC, a head varsity coach at Alta-Aurelia High School, a head varsity coach at Clear Creek-Amana, and spent four years as an assistant varsity coach at Ottumwa High School. She has spent the past 14 years as Ottumwa’s middle school volleyball coach.
Athletic director, Mike Egbert, feels Thomas has a strong coaching background and by placing a strong emphasis on fundamentals and being a great teammate, will continue making Ottumwa volleyball a strong program.
“I am very excited to be awarded this position,” said Thomas. “Sports have a lot to teach our athletes about their life. My hope is that through our program, they can develop the character traits that will allow them to persevere wherever their futures take them. I have coached most of these athletes during their earlier careers and look forward to working with all of them again!”
