Polly Thomason, a native of Arlington who played on three American Southwest Conference championship teams at Austin College, is the second coach in the history of UTD women's basketball.

Thomason was co-winner of the ASC East Division Coach of the Year honors after leading her team to a 16-10 record in 2007-08 – the best finish in UTD program history. The Comets, who were rebuilt almost from scratch prior to the 2006-07 campaign, have now advanced to the ASC Championship Tournament each of the last two seasons. In her first three seasons, she has taken a team that had never had a winning record and posted a 39-38 mark.

Thomason came to UTD after serving three years as an assistant coach at the College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio (2002-2004); and Chatham College in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania (2004-2005). In addition, she served one year as an assistant coach at Austin College (1999-2000) before leaving to earn her master’s degree at the University of Tennessee, where she also taught several physical education activity classes. She earned a BA degree in exercise science and history from Austin College in 1999, and a master’s degree in sports administration from the University of Tennessee in 2002

Thomason was a three-year letter-winner at Arlington Martin HS, where she was named all-district on a playoff team her senior season. She accepted a basketball scholarship to Phillips University, an NAIA school in Enid, Oklahoma; transferring to Austin College in 1996. The Lady Kangaroos won ASC titles in 1997, 1998 and 1999 while Thomason was a member of the team, and advanced all three years to the national playoffs. The team was ranked as high as 21st nationally and was twice recognized as a top 25 program nationally in academic achievement.

Thomason was also a standout track athlete in high school and college. She qualified for regional competition three times in discuss in high school and was the ASC shot put champion in 1997.

EMAIL POLLY THOMASON