Honoring a Legend: The Ken Thomas Alumni Games at Jackson Heights
Jackson Heights High School and its Alumni Association are thrilled to an honor for one of our most esteemed figures in the history of Jackson Heights. The annual alumni basketball games have been officially renamed the Ken Thomas Alumni Games, in tribute to Coach Ken Thomas.
Ken Thomas is considered one of the "Founding Fathers" of Jackson Heights". A foundational teacher and legendary coach whose influence has left an indelible mark on our school’s history and culture.
Coach Thomas was a member of the original faculty when Jackson Heights opened its doors in the 1969/1970 school year. He began his coaching career as an assistant coach immediately, but it was in the 1975/1976 season that he took on the role of head coach for the girls' basketball team. It was under his leadership that the team won the coveted grand state championship, solidifying his reputation as a transformative coach in high school sports. Over his 33-year tenure as head coach, he amassed an impressive record of 474 wins and 261 losses. He guided his teams to seven state tournament appearances, and reached the substate championship game 16 times.
The dedication to Coach Thomas took place at the alumni basketball game on Friday, May 3rd, where Lyle Alley, his long-time assistant coach of 25 years, presented him with this honor. The event was attended by Coach Thomas’s family, friends, and a host of former athletes who came to celebrate the legacy of a coach who was much more than a mentor on the court.
Adding to his remarkable list of accolades, Coach Thomas is also the only coach in Jackson Heights history to be inducted into the Kansas Coaches Hall of Fame. This honor shows his exceptional contributions to the sport and his impact on the athletes he coached.
We look forward to the next Ken Thomas Alumni Games, scheduled for May 2nd, 2025. This event is not just a celebration of basketball and volleyball, but a celebration of a man who has profoundly influenced the lives of many students both on and off the court. It is a day to remember and honor the values of dedication, hard work, and community that Coach Thomas instilled in his teams.
The renaming of the alumni games shows the lasting legacy of Coach Ken Thomas at Jackson Heights. It is an affirmation of his life’s work and his commitment to excellence, which will continue to inspire current and future generations of Cobras.