Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Tony Thomas
Email Coach Thomas: tthomas@lincolncollege.edu
Coach Thomas is entering his 20th season at Lincoln College. A graduate of Argenta-Oreana High School, Thomas played and lettered all three years of varsity baseball while earning all-conference as well as All-Macon County his last two years under Coach Tom Saunches. Thomas continued his academic and baseball career at Lincoln College, under the direction of former LC Coaches Nyles Nyman and current Murray State Coach and Lincoln native Rob McDonald, where he earned his Associate in Arts Degree. Thomas continued his education at Millikin University in Decatur, his hometown. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education and lettered two years in baseball. He was honored as a C.C.I.W All-conference shortstop for Millikin and named Most Improved Player during his senior season (1990). Coach Thomas played two summers for the Decatur Blues of the Central Illinois Collegiate League (CICL).
He also served as Head Coach for one season with the Blues and served as an assistant with the Springfield Rifles. His experience includes being an assistant for the Lincoln Heat baseball program for five summers; including coaching his son Ryan for three summers. Thomas has been active with the Legion Post 263 program serving as both an Assistant and Head Coach. Coach Thomas has held and worked at many baseball camps across the Midwest. He is a member of the American Baseball Coaches Association. Thomas previously served as an assistant at Lincoln College for three years before being named Head Coach in 1993. He teaches, advises and is entering his 10th season as Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach.
During his Tenure at Lincoln College Thomas has coached All Region players along with numerous All-Conference players. Last year’s team finished fourth in the MWAC conference and finished the season with a 32-22 record, second most wins in school history. Sophomore shortstop Kenny May was named All-Region and Second team All-Conference with one of the best career’s by a Lynx under Coach Thomas. Also Steven Sotiropolous and Manny Acevedo received Second team All-Conference, Freshman 1st baseman Cody Litwiller also was named to the honorable mention All-Conference team and Rawlings Gold Glove team.
Academics has been a big part of Coach Thomas and the baseball program, during his 19 previous seasons their team grade point average has never drop below a 2.85 with team high of 3.27(2012). Thomas has had 11 perfect gpa’s (4.0) and many Academic All-Americans, with 15 in the last seven years along with 11 All MWAC Academic performer’s (3.0 or better) in 2012 alone. The 2012 Team finished 6th in the nation of all njcaa baseball teams with a 3.27 team grade point average.
Coach Thomas and his wife Bridgett who is the Dean of Student’s at Lincoln College have three children and two grandchildren: Brittany, Brileigh (a Lincoln College Graduate) and Ryan 14 a freshman in High School along with Ashton and Addiyson. Thomas says he’s learned a lot from Lincoln College. “It’s given not only myself but former and current players a great start to their college career. Lincoln is a perfect place for any young student-athlete to begin a successful career because it provides a solid foundation to build upon.
Assistant Coach: Levi Petzoldt
Email Coach Petzoldt: lpetzoldt@lincolncollege.edu
Coach Petzoldt is entering his 1st season at Lincoln College. A graduate of Jackson High School, in Jackson, MO. Petzoldt played and lettered all two years of varsity baseball and football. Petzoldt then went on to Lincoln College, where he pitched under head coach, Tony Thomas. He earned his Associate in Arts Degree while at Lincoln College. After his two years at Lincoln, he then transferred to Fontbonne University, where he pitched for two years under head coach Ryan Good. He received his Bachelor of Arts in History, concentrated in Secondary Education.
In the summer of 2012 Coach Petzoldt was the head coach of the Jackson Legion 8th Grade baseball program. While Petzoldt was doing his student teaching at Perryville High School, in Perryville, MO, he volunteered his time in being an assistant coach at the varsity level. He also served as an assistant for the Jackson Senior Legion baseball program for the summer of 2010. Here at Lincoln, Petzoldt is working with the position players.
Petzoldt is living at Lincoln College as a Resident Assistant in the dorms here at the college. He is the son of Larry and LaDonna Petzoldt, who live in Altenburg, MO. He has a sister who is attending Arkansas State University and a brother who is a senior in high school.