Entering her seventh season on the coaching staff, Deanna Thomas is a familiar face with the Kean University Department of Athletics as a two-sport standout during her undergraduate days.

A four-year letterwinner in softball and field hockey, Thomas started 126 of 131 career games on the diamond as a catcher and outfielder.  In 2004, she earned New Jersey Athletic Conference honorable mention honors as a utility player to cap her career. 

The previous fall on the field hockey field, Thomas garnered STX/National Field Hockey Coaches' Association third-team all-america honors as a defender to become the first player in program history to earn All-American accolades.  The former school record holder in single season and career assists, she still ranks tied for second with 10 single season assists and is currently fourth with 21 career assists.

A health and physical education teacher at Carteret Middle School, Thomas earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Physical Education and Health Teacher Certification from Kean in 2005.