University of Richmond Athletics
Photo by: University of Richmond Athletics
Baseball Announces Staff Changes: Thomas Promoted to Associate Head Coach, Eric Hill Added as Director of Player Development
09/11/2019 | Baseball
RICHMOND, Va. – Head coach Tracy Woodson has announced the elevation of R.J. Thomas to Associate Head Coach and the addition of Eric Hill as the Director of Player Development to the Spider baseball coaching staff. Thomas has been an assistant coach on the Spider staff for the past two seasons, and brought with him 11 years of head coaching experience to the University of Richmond. Hill joins the program after spending time with the Mid-Atlantic Orioles of Tuckahoe Sports Inc., a non-profit organization in central Virginia that has served the community as a developmental baseball and fastpitch softball facility serving as the head coach of the high school-level program.
"I'm extremely excited to promote R.J. to the position of associate head coach." Woodson said, "R.J.'s role has continued to expand in his short time here and he's excelled in every aspect. He's been an instrumental part of our program's success over the last two seasons. His previous experiences and insight into the game provides us with another perspective to continue to build our program on the field and in the classroom."
"It's a privilege to continue to work for the University of Richmond and mentor our student-athletes." Thomas said, "We will continue to recruit, develop, coach and mentor fantastic young men who achieve success on the field, in the classroom and in the community. I'm extremely honored and blessed that Coach Woodson has given me the opportunity to be the Associate Head Coach. I believe our best days are yet to come and I'm looking forward to working with Coach Woodson, our staff and our student-athletes to continue to not only build on the historical success of Spider baseball, but raise the bar for our program."
"Eric Hill is someone who has been around our program for several years and I'm excited to officially add him to our staff." Woodson said. "Eric brings a wealth of knowledge to our program and his experience in the travel ball circuit will help Spider baseball continue to produce not only quality baseball players, but quality young men."
"I'm very thankful to the administration, Coach Woodson and the Spider baseball program for bringing me on staff." Hill said, "It's a privilege and honor to join Coach Woodson and his staff in an official capacity. I'm looking forward to working with our student-athletes to continue to help them develop athletically, academically and professionally."
Thomas joined the program in the summer of 2017 and continues to produces some of the top-level pitching talent in the Atlantic 10 Conference. The depth of the pitching staff was a key part of the 2019 Spider baseball program. Under his tutelage, Richmond has seen three pitchers be offered contracts with Major League organizations.
In his first season with the Spiders, Thomas's pitchers turned in a 3.70 team ERA helping lead the team to the most wins in a season in the Woodson-era. The pitching staff set a new school record after striking out 471 hitters during the 2018 season, an average of 8.51 per game. Three pitchers earned All A-10 honors and the staff ranked 48th nationally in WHIP, 38th nationally in team ERA, and 21st national in hits allowed per nine innings.
Prior to arriving in Richmond, Thomas was the head coach at Southwestern University in Texas for five seasons. In each of his five years, Thomas led the Pirates to five-straight Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) Tournaments, advancing to the finals in 2016. He led 23 All-SCAC honorees including the 2015 SCAC Player of the Year. Not only did Southwestern make improvements on the field, but Thomas was an integral piece in improving the baseball facility. During his tenure, Southwestern made improvements in several areas, including the dugouts, home plate area, laser grading the infield, a new irrigation system and assisted with bullpen improvements. His Pirates also earned the program's highest team GPA in program history.
Before arriving at Southwestern, Thomas revived the Hendrix College baseball program in Conway, Arkansas. There, he led the Warriors to three SCAC tournament appearances, and two appearances in the SCAC championship game. In 2009, he led Hendrix to its first-ever NCAA Tournament and was named the SCAC Coach of the Year. He led the Warriors to back-to-back SCAC Championship game appearances in 2011 and 2012. Thomas led the renovation efforts of Warrior Field, helping design and construct the new baseball facility.
Thomas also worked on the administrative side during his Division III days. He was an assistant director of compliance for two years, as well as working as the athletic facilities construction coordinator for a year.
Hill joins the Spiders after working as the head coach for the Mid-Atlantic Orioles showcase travel team comprised of players from across the greater Richmond metro area. Hill played college baseball at Longwood and was a member of the 1991 DII World Series team that finished the year 41-8 and as the fourth-ranked team in the country. He and his teammates were inducted into the Longwood Hall of Fame in 2011.
He began his coaching career with the Glen Allen Youth Athletic Association in 2005 and served as a board member for several years. In 2015, Hill took over the managerial duties of the Mid-Atlantic Orioles 2019 graduate team. This team maintained a playing schedule in September and October as well as June and July, traveling throughout the country competing and showcasing players' talent at many top colleges and universities.
He is an active member of the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA), having attended several national conventions. He is a member of the Virginia Baseball Coaches Association (VBCA) and holds certifications A, B and C with the USA Baseball ACE Program.
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"I'm extremely excited to promote R.J. to the position of associate head coach." Woodson said, "R.J.'s role has continued to expand in his short time here and he's excelled in every aspect. He's been an instrumental part of our program's success over the last two seasons. His previous experiences and insight into the game provides us with another perspective to continue to build our program on the field and in the classroom."
"It's a privilege to continue to work for the University of Richmond and mentor our student-athletes." Thomas said, "We will continue to recruit, develop, coach and mentor fantastic young men who achieve success on the field, in the classroom and in the community. I'm extremely honored and blessed that Coach Woodson has given me the opportunity to be the Associate Head Coach. I believe our best days are yet to come and I'm looking forward to working with Coach Woodson, our staff and our student-athletes to continue to not only build on the historical success of Spider baseball, but raise the bar for our program."
"Eric Hill is someone who has been around our program for several years and I'm excited to officially add him to our staff." Woodson said. "Eric brings a wealth of knowledge to our program and his experience in the travel ball circuit will help Spider baseball continue to produce not only quality baseball players, but quality young men."
"I'm very thankful to the administration, Coach Woodson and the Spider baseball program for bringing me on staff." Hill said, "It's a privilege and honor to join Coach Woodson and his staff in an official capacity. I'm looking forward to working with our student-athletes to continue to help them develop athletically, academically and professionally."
Thomas joined the program in the summer of 2017 and continues to produces some of the top-level pitching talent in the Atlantic 10 Conference. The depth of the pitching staff was a key part of the 2019 Spider baseball program. Under his tutelage, Richmond has seen three pitchers be offered contracts with Major League organizations.
In his first season with the Spiders, Thomas's pitchers turned in a 3.70 team ERA helping lead the team to the most wins in a season in the Woodson-era. The pitching staff set a new school record after striking out 471 hitters during the 2018 season, an average of 8.51 per game. Three pitchers earned All A-10 honors and the staff ranked 48th nationally in WHIP, 38th nationally in team ERA, and 21st national in hits allowed per nine innings.
Prior to arriving in Richmond, Thomas was the head coach at Southwestern University in Texas for five seasons. In each of his five years, Thomas led the Pirates to five-straight Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) Tournaments, advancing to the finals in 2016. He led 23 All-SCAC honorees including the 2015 SCAC Player of the Year. Not only did Southwestern make improvements on the field, but Thomas was an integral piece in improving the baseball facility. During his tenure, Southwestern made improvements in several areas, including the dugouts, home plate area, laser grading the infield, a new irrigation system and assisted with bullpen improvements. His Pirates also earned the program's highest team GPA in program history.
Before arriving at Southwestern, Thomas revived the Hendrix College baseball program in Conway, Arkansas. There, he led the Warriors to three SCAC tournament appearances, and two appearances in the SCAC championship game. In 2009, he led Hendrix to its first-ever NCAA Tournament and was named the SCAC Coach of the Year. He led the Warriors to back-to-back SCAC Championship game appearances in 2011 and 2012. Thomas led the renovation efforts of Warrior Field, helping design and construct the new baseball facility.
Thomas also worked on the administrative side during his Division III days. He was an assistant director of compliance for two years, as well as working as the athletic facilities construction coordinator for a year.
Hill joins the Spiders after working as the head coach for the Mid-Atlantic Orioles showcase travel team comprised of players from across the greater Richmond metro area. Hill played college baseball at Longwood and was a member of the 1991 DII World Series team that finished the year 41-8 and as the fourth-ranked team in the country. He and his teammates were inducted into the Longwood Hall of Fame in 2011.
He began his coaching career with the Glen Allen Youth Athletic Association in 2005 and served as a board member for several years. In 2015, Hill took over the managerial duties of the Mid-Atlantic Orioles 2019 graduate team. This team maintained a playing schedule in September and October as well as June and July, traveling throughout the country competing and showcasing players' talent at many top colleges and universities.
He is an active member of the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA), having attended several national conventions. He is a member of the Virginia Baseball Coaches Association (VBCA) and holds certifications A, B and C with the USA Baseball ACE Program.
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