(Springfield) Missouri State University-Springfield is mourning the passing of a coaching legend.
Bill Thomas, who coached the Bears for 16 seasons, passed Saturday at the age of 91.
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He began his career at what was then Southwest Missouri State as a player, starting in 1950 and was a starter for three seasons.
He took over as head coach in 1964. His teams won 8 MIAA titles and were NCAA Division II runners-up in 1967, ’69 and 1974.
The Buffalo native won 264 games coaching the Bears.
Thomas is a member of the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.
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