“TURTLE” THOMAS Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator
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HENRY “TURTLE” THOMAS Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator rated class four times. Every class he signed at LSU I've ever had but also one of the greatest mentors as was ranked in the Top 6, including his 2004 class well. To this day, even after six seasons in the major which was considered #1 in the country. leagues, I still consult with him about baseball and More than 60 of Thomas’ recruits have life. Turtle was always tough on us all in college, but advanced to play pro baseball, including big lea- it paid of for many of us who have made it to the big guers Charles Johnson, Alex Fernandez, Pat Burrell, leagues. A lot of hitting in baseball has to do with Danny Graves, Alex Cora, Aubrey Huff and Brad being prepared mentally and Turtle taught me in col- Hawpe. He also signed superstars Chipper Jones lege how to be mentally tough. I can't tell you how and Alex Rodriguez to National Letters of Intent appreciative I am of everything he's ever done for while at Miami, although both signed professionally me.” rather than attend college. — Aubrey Huff, Current Baltimore Orioles outfielder A 1975 graduate of High Point (N.C.) College, Thomas earned a master’s degree from UNC- “Turtle Thomas is the best coach I’ve ever seen in Greensboro in 1978. He was a four-year letterman 1-on-1 situations. He was very effective working at catcher, playing two seasons at Campbell with our hitters and had a noticeable impact on our Henry “Turtle” Thomas begins his first season at University before completing his final two under- offense. A tremendous pickup for ASU.” Arizona State as assistant coach and national graduate years at High Point. — Hall of Fame coach Skip Bertman recruiting coordinator. Thomas comes to ASU after Thomas is married to the former Maria Carmen seven seasons at LSU, where he was the Tiger’s hit- Nateman, and they have three children, Kevin, “When I speak about loyalty, I think about Turtle ting instructor and recruiting coordinator. Kristen and Keith. He picked up the nickname Thomas. Turtle possesses a great knowledge of the No stranger to big time college baseball, “Turtle” in junior high school from a classmate who game of baseball and has a passion for the players Thomas has coached at some of the elite programs thought he resembled a turtle. he coaches. Helping young players improve and hthroughout the United States. He began his Division succeed is very important to him, and his enthusi- I career as an assistant at Clemson, spending eight WHAT THEY ARE SAYING asm for his players is extremely evident.” seasons there, including a trip to the College World “Turtle Thomas was not only the best hitting coach — Former LSU head coach, Smoke Laval Series in 1980. From there he moved to Georgia Tech, where he spent two years as the assistant head coach under current Miami head coach Jim Morris. In 1988 he was named assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the University of Miami (Florida), where he spent 12 seasons. While with the Hurricanes, Thomas was a part of nine College World Series teams, including the 1999 National Champions. Thomas and Miami went to Omaha six consecutive years from 1994 to 1999. Thomas joined the LSU Tigers in 2000 and promptly won another National Championship, his second in a row. The 2000 title was one of three trips to the College World Series that Thomas made in his seven seasons in Baton Rouge. All told, Thomas has been to 13 College World Series so far in his 29-year coaching career. Thomas is considered one of the premiere col- lege baseball recruiters in the nation, thanks to 18 straight recruiting classes ranked among Collegiate Baseball’s Top 10 at both Miami and LSU. He is the only recruiting coordinator in the nation who has signed the number one rated class four times, and he has never had a class rated lower than ninth over the past 18 years. Thomas has also signed the #2 30 ANDY STANKIEWICZ Assistant Coach Major League level. His big league resume and dedication to his team. There is no doubt includes years with the Yankees (1992-93), that Andy will have a lasting and positive impact Astros (1994-95), Expos (1996-97) and as an on Sun Devil student-athletes.” original member of the Arizona Diamondbacks — Buck Showalter, during the franchise’s inaugural 1998 season. Manager - New York Yankees, He retired as a player following the 2001 pro- Arizona Diamondbacks, Texas Rangers fessional season. Stankiewicz was a part of four championship “There are no baseball people who I hold in high- teams during his professional playing career. He er regard than Andy Stankiewicz. Andy was an was a member of the 1987 Florida State League exceptional player, coach, manager and scout for champions (Ft. Lauderdale), won back-to-back the Yankees. His impact on our organization has Eastern League titles in 1988 and 1989 been extraordinary. Andy is a winner, a great (Albany), and won the 1991 International teacher of the game and a man of the highest hon- League championship (Columbus). As both a esty and integrity. A parent could not trust their A seven-year Major League Baseball veteran, Andy player and manager, Stankiewicz has been a son’s development to a finer person and coach.” Stankiewicz begins his first season as an assistant member of five championship teams at the pro- — Mark Newman, SVP Baseball Operations coach at Arizona State University. Stankiewicz joins fessional level. New York Yankees ASU from the New York Yankees organization, Andy and his wife Mari Ana live in Gilbert with where he has spent the past four and a half years their four children Dane, Marisa, Drew and Mia. aas a coach and scout. He was the Yankees south- west area scout prior to joining the Sun Devils. WHAT THEY ARE SAYING Stankiewicz joins the college ranks one year “What an outstanding infield coach you have on removed from a successful managerial stint in your staff. Having spent the last three years with the Yankees minor league system. He spent Andy in the Yankees organization, I know he is a 2004 and 2005 as the manager of the Staten dedicated and very knowledgeable infield coach. He Island Yankees, the class A affiliate of the New is a great student of the game and his work ethic is York Yankees. Stankiewicz led Staten Island to tremendous. Having coached him as a player and the 2005 NY-Penn League Championship in only worked with him as and instructor, I’m certain that his second year as a manager. Before managing you have one of the finest young infield coaches in Staten Island, Stankiewicz spent two seasons as the game. Congratulations and continued success the defensive coordinator and roving infield to the ASU baseball program.” instructor for all the New York Yankees Minor — Bucky Dent, Cincinnati Reds bench coach League teams. He also spent one season as the hitting instructor for the Gulf Coast Yankees in “The ASU baseball program is fortunate to have the Rookie League. Andy on its staff. Not only is he a gifted and Stankiewicz was a standout infielder for the knowledgeable coach, but he is a man who will Pepperdine Waves from 1983-1986. His name make a life-long difference in the lives of those is listed in several Top 10 lists on the around him. He is a man of integrity who thinks Pepperdine Career Offensive Leaders, including of others higher than himself. I look forward to Runs (172), Triples (9), At Bats (755), Stolen seeing the impact he will make.” Bases (101) and Games Played (220). Following — Major League veteran Jay Bell a stellar 1985 junior season, Stankiewicz was selected in the 18th round of the MLB draft by “Andy Stankiewicz is a great addition to the the Detroit Tigers, but returned to school for his baseball staff at ASU. Andy combines an out- senior season. In the 1986 draft, the New York standing knowledge of the game with a passion Yankees selected him in the 12th round. for teaching and developing young baseball play- Stankiewicz went on the play 16 seasons of ers. I had the pleasure of managing Andy in 1998 professional baseball, seven of them at the and always appreciated his approach, work ethic 31 GRAHAM ROSSINI Director of Baseball Operations Alumni Golf Tournament, Team Awards Banquet and “Graham is a difference maker. His attention to detail Meet the Team events. He was very active in the Bobby and standard for quality is evident in the Sun Devil Winkles Field dedication that took place during the 2001 baseball program.” season, was heavily involved in the planning and prepa- — Lisa Love, VP of Athletics, ASU ration of the Jim Brock Ballpark dedication in 2006 and has served on the tournament committee for the NCAA “We deal with over 150 NCAA baseball teams and Regionals hosted by ASU in 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2005. none is more organized than ASU. I attribute that to Over the past six years, Rossini has been instrumen- Graham. We’re also able to play-test more products tal in the planning and design efforts of the ongoing ren- with ASU, because Graham handles so many details ovations at Winkles Field-Packard Stadium at Brock that ensure that our tests will be handled profession- Ballpark. Prior to the 2003 season, a brand new playing ally. Because of Graham's management of the Wilson field was installed as well as minor cosmetic improve- and DeMarini relationship with ASU, we gain more ments on the concourse of the facility.