Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 1997
John Thomas was a three-sport athlete at Oregon State, lettering in football and baseball. He also played basketball and would have lettered if not for baseball coach Ralph Coleman requesting he participate in baseball winter conditioning.
He is best known for his achievements in football and baseball. He lettered in football from 1949-50, and was selected an All-Coast offensive end in 1951. He caught a then-school record 36 passes for 350 yards in 1950, which ranked second on the Coast and 10th nationally.
He played in the College All-Star and East-West Shrine Games after his senior year. Thomas lettered in baseball from 1951-53, and played on the 1952 College World Series team as a catcher. He also was an assistant football coach under Tommy Prothro at Oregon State.
