ADAM THOMAS # 7 HEAD COACH

The 2009 season will mark the ten year anniversary of the Adam Thomas era as the Pirate Head Baseball Coach. Thomas took control of the CVCC Baseball program in June of 1999, and at that time was the youngest head baseball coach in the history of the ACCC. Known for his ability to relate well with his players, Thomas serves not only as the Pirates’ on the field leader, but also an academic, social, and athletic mentor to his players off the field. Thomas is a big proponent of education as well as baseball. This is evident as the baseball team’s overall GPA has surpassed the 3.10 for the eighth consecutive year, and the 2007 team earned the highest overall GPA (3.36) in the program’s history, while the Pirate baseball team has earned the highest team GPA in the Alabama Community College system over the past five years. Additionally, the Pirate baseball team earned the prestigious status of being named the NJCAA Academic Team of the Year in baseball following both the 2007 and 2008 seasons. Furthermore, of Thomas’ 102 sophomores in his nine seasons, 100 have had scholarship offers to play at a four-year institution, as well as ten players having been selected by Major League Baseball teams.

Born July 7, 1975, Thomas, a local product, was born and raised in Phenix City. He graduated from Smiths Station High School in 1993 and earned a baseball scholarship right here at Chattahoochee Valley Community College to play for legendary Alabama JUCO coach, B.R. Johnson. After redshirting in 1994, Thomas blossomed into one of the finest defensive catchers to wear a Pirate uniform. Thomas was a two-year starter and, as a sophomore in 1996, was chosen to participate in the AJCCC All-Star Game. That very season, Thomas handled the pitching staff that was tops in the conference, as the Pirates won their seventh AJCCC conference championship.

Upon graduating with honors from CVCC in June of 1996, Thomas earned a baseball scholarship to the University of Montevallo in Montevallo, Alabama. Thomas highlighted his career at UM in 1997, as a junior, by knocking in the game tying and go-ahead runs to beat Anderson College in the NAIA Southeast Independent Sectional Playoffs. The win helped propel the Falcons to the Sectional title and a birth in the Southeast Regional Championship in Homestead, Florida. Unfortunately, Thomas’ senior year was injury riddled with both knee and elbow injuries that plagued his final year. However, his work ethic and tireless efforts earned him the prestigious University of Montevallo Baseball “Mike Morgan Hustle Award.” Hall of Fame Coach Bob Reisner called Thomas, “one of the smartest, hardest working players I’ve ever coached.”

Graduating cum laude with a B.S. degree in Kinesiology in 1998, Thomas returned to his “heart and soul” as the assistant baseball coach at Chattahoochee Valley. Upon B.R. Johnson’s retirement, Thomas was named the head baseball coach of the Pirates in June 1999. After inheriting a CVCC team that won only 8 games during the 1999 season, Thomas has turned the Pirate baseball team into a conference powerhouse, with the 2003, 2007, and 2008 CVCC Baseball Teams setting a school record for wins, with 41, while finishing runners-up in the ACCC in 2003, and finishing third during the 2005, 2007, and 2008 seasons. During Thomas’ tenure, the Pirates have averaged 30-plus wins a year and have been a perennial playoff participant since the 2002 season.

Being a former catcher, Coach Thomas’s teams are perpetually known for their strong pitching year-in and year-out. Under the guidance of Thomas, the Pirate pitching staff has led the ACCC in several major pitching categories, including earned run average, strikeouts, wins, saves, fewest walks, and strikeout to walk ratio. Look for the trend to continue in 2009 under Thomas’ tutelage.

Thomas earned his MBA from Troy State University in January of 2005 and has been serving as the school’s athletic director since June of 2004. Thomas is married to the former Heather Taylor of Columbus, Georgia and they have one son, Owen, who is eight years old. In his spare time, Thomas enjoys working out, running, working on the baseball field and spending time with his family. The Thomas’s make their home in Columbus, Georgia.

DASH O'NEILL # 16 ASSISTANT COACH

Dash O’Neill begins his fifth season as an assistant coach for the Chattahoochee Valley Baseball Team. A native of Brooklyn, New York, O’Neill is currently fulfilling his requirements for his Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services at Troy University, after completing his athletic eligibility as a member of the Columbus State University baseball team.

O’Neill is a 1997 graduate of Sequoyah High School in Canton, Georgia. While prepping at SHS, Coach O’Neill was the recipient of several post season accolades and set numerous school records. During his career at Sequoyah, he was a three time All-County selection (1995-96-97), was named the defensive player of the year and received the hustle award three years in a row (1995-96-97), as well. Additionally, he was named Team Captain during the 1995 and 1996 seasons. Furthermore, O’Neill set school records for hit by pitches (24), single season walks (22), career walks (58), single season assists (71), and career assists (234).

After a stellar career at Sequoyah High School, O’Neill then moved on to Andrew College in Cuthbert, Georgia where he became a two-year starter at catcher for the Tigers. The ever-hustling O’Neill enjoyed a successful career at Andrew College, while being named to the GJCAA All-Star team in 2001 as well as being named the Tigers team captain during the 2001 campaign. O’Neill left Andrew College with solid career numbers, as he hit .318 for his career while knocking in 57 runs. His efforts were rewarded, as he furthered his career at Columbus State University and was a member of two College World Series teams (2002, 2004), with the 2002 team winning the NCAA Division II National Championship.

O’Neill is a tireless worker and complete team player for the Pirates as he works with all aspects of the game for Coach Thomas, however, more specifically, Coach O’Neill serves as the Pirates hitting and infield coach. Under O’Neill’s tutelage, the Pirate offense has consistently been one of, if not the, best in the ACCC, as the Pirates are perennially among the league leaders in batting average, on base percentage, runs scored, hits, and stolen bases. A true player’s coach, O’Neill is a team favorite of the Pirates with his ability to relate the game from a player’s perspective, while keeping the atmosphere light.

Born May 9, 1979, Coach O’Neill makes his home in Phenix City, Alabama. Coach O’Neill was recently engaged to Miss Angeleen McDonnell of Canton, Georgia. In his spare time, he enjoys playing hockey, watching movies, and spending time with his friends, family, and fiancé.

Cody Belt ASSISTANT COACH

Cody Belt begins his second stint as an assistant coach with the Chattahoochee Valley Baseball Team. After serving as a student assistant during the 2007 season while rehabilitating his right elbow from Tommy John surgery, Cody returns to the Pirates as a full time volunteer assistant coach for the 2009 campaign. A native of Lubbock, Texas, Cody is currently fulfilling his requirements for his Bachelors Degree at Columbus State University after completing his playing days as the staff ace at LaGrange College in 2008.

Belt is a 2004 graduate of Columbus High School in Columbus, GA. While prepping at the powerhouse Blue Devil program, Belt was a part of the 2004 Georgia High School AAAA State Championship team that finished second in the nation, as tabbed by USA Today. A stellar two-way player, Belt signed a baseball scholarship right here at CVCC upon his high school graduation.

As a freshman on the 2005 Pirate team, Cody served as the Pirates starting first baseman/designated hitter while also toeing the rubber as a conference starter. Belt’s efforts helped propel the Pirates to a 39-17 record, which were the third most wins in the history of the program, as well as carrying CVCC to the semi-finals of the ACCC Conference Tournament. Unfortunately, in the early spring of the 2006 season, Coach Belt, who was serving as the Pirates ace, tore his UCL ligament in his pitching elbow, which subsequently required Tommy John surgery and ended his season.

As a mature leader of the Pirate team in 2005 and 2006 and truly a student of the game, Belt was hired on by Head Coach Adam Thomas to serve as a student assistant coach during the 2007 campaign during his year long rehabilitation. While coaching the pitching staff during the 2006 fall season, Belt did nothing but impress, as he helped coach and mentor the young CVCC pitching staff into a palpable force. However, after strenuous work with his physical trainer, Coach Belt made an unlikely return to the pitching rubber during the spring of 2007 and put his coaching shoes to the side temporarily.

After finishing the 2007 season as a Mr. Do it All for the Pirates, Cody, signed a scholarship to pitch for LaGrange College in LaGrange, Georgia. While serving as the Panthers’ ace, Coach Belt led the team in games pitched and games started while finishing second on the team in wins. Belt decided to forgo his final season of eligibility to return to CVCC to begin his coaching career and complete his degree at CSU. Coach Belt’s primary duties will be serving as the Pirates outfield coach, while secondarily assisting Coach Thomas with the pitching staff and Coach O’Neill with the infield and hitters. Born July 9, 1986, Belt makes his home in Columbus, Georgia. In his spare time, he enjoys working out and spending time with his friends.