Aurealius Thomas

Bio

On offense, Ohio State's Aurealius Thomas played in the line as a blocker. On defense he was a middle guard, sometimes a linebacker. He wasn't big. Only 202 pounds. But he played big enough to make the All-America team at guard in 1957. He lacked size but had tremendous technique as a blocker and mobility as a tackler. In his senior year, 1957, he averaged 52 minutes a game in playing time. He was always able to out-maneuver opponents who were bigger. After graduation, Thomas taught and coached seven years. In the first year he was an assistant on the Woody Hayes staff at Ohio State. Then he coached East High School in Columbus. His last team at East, in 1964, had a 9-0 record. He left coaching and started a career with New York Life Insurance. After 16 years, he left to start his own insurance brokerage in Columbus, Ohio. Thomas had a long list of credits for community service - past president, Columbus Recreation Board; adviser, Small Business Group for Southern Ohio; trustee, Ohio State Varsity "0" Association; trustee, Ohio State University Student Loan Foundation; president, Columbus Leadership Conference; volunteer agent, United Negro College Fund.

Career Highlights

• 1957 All-Conference
• 1957 First Team All-America