Name the Southeast High basketball court after Coach Lawrence Thomas (LT)
The Issue
Growing up in Springfield, Illinois, basketball was a family legacy. My husband, Lawrence Thomas II, had the privilege of playing for his father, Coach Lawrence Thomas, at Southeast High School. He saw firsthand the countless hours, sacrifices, and unwavering commitment his father gave to his players and his community.
Coach Thomas is the winningest boys' basketball coach in Southeast High School history, with a 299–154 record over 16 seasons.
His teams achieved:
- 6 City Out Right Championships
- 7 Central State Eight Conference titles (won or shared)
- 6 regional championships
- 3 sectional championships
- 1 Supersectional championship
- 2018 Class 3A State Tournament Runner-Up
His players went on to play college basketball at schools including Southern Indiana, SIU Edwardsville, Ferris State, Quincy, Texas A&M–Corpus Christi, Western Kentucky, Western Illinois, Northern Illinois, and Middle Tennessee State.
But his greatest victories weren't measured by wins and losses.
Coach Thomas mentored hundreds of young men, teaching them discipline, accountability, teamwork, perseverance, and how to become better—not just basketball players, but better people.
To many, he was more than a coach. He was a mentor, a father figure, and a pillar of the Springfield community.
Naming the Southeast High School basketball court after Coach Thomas would be more than recognition of an incredible coaching career. It would preserve a legacy and inspire every young athlete who steps onto that court in the years to come.
Let's make sure future generations know the name of the man who helped so many young people believe in themselves.
We are asking the Springfield School District 186 to officially name the Southeast High School basketball court in honor of Coach Lawrence Thomas.
Please sign this petition.
If Coach Thomas touched your life, coached your child, inspired you, played a role in your Southeast experience, or if you simply believe that those who dedicate their lives to our youth deserve to be honored—please add your name and share this petition.
299 wins tell part of the story.
The lives he changed tell the rest.
Let's honor Coach Lawrence Thomas and give his legacy a permanent place at Southeast High School.
426
The Issue
Growing up in Springfield, Illinois, basketball was a family legacy. My husband, Lawrence Thomas II, had the privilege of playing for his father, Coach Lawrence Thomas, at Southeast High School. He saw firsthand the countless hours, sacrifices, and unwavering commitment his father gave to his players and his community.
Coach Thomas is the winningest boys' basketball coach in Southeast High School history, with a 299–154 record over 16 seasons.
His teams achieved:
- 6 City Out Right Championships
- 7 Central State Eight Conference titles (won or shared)
- 6 regional championships
- 3 sectional championships
- 1 Supersectional championship
- 2018 Class 3A State Tournament Runner-Up
His players went on to play college basketball at schools including Southern Indiana, SIU Edwardsville, Ferris State, Quincy, Texas A&M–Corpus Christi, Western Kentucky, Western Illinois, Northern Illinois, and Middle Tennessee State.
But his greatest victories weren't measured by wins and losses.
Coach Thomas mentored hundreds of young men, teaching them discipline, accountability, teamwork, perseverance, and how to become better—not just basketball players, but better people.
To many, he was more than a coach. He was a mentor, a father figure, and a pillar of the Springfield community.
Naming the Southeast High School basketball court after Coach Thomas would be more than recognition of an incredible coaching career. It would preserve a legacy and inspire every young athlete who steps onto that court in the years to come.
Let's make sure future generations know the name of the man who helped so many young people believe in themselves.
We are asking the Springfield School District 186 to officially name the Southeast High School basketball court in honor of Coach Lawrence Thomas.
Please sign this petition.
If Coach Thomas touched your life, coached your child, inspired you, played a role in your Southeast experience, or if you simply believe that those who dedicate their lives to our youth deserve to be honored—please add your name and share this petition.
299 wins tell part of the story.
The lives he changed tell the rest.
Let's honor Coach Lawrence Thomas and give his legacy a permanent place at Southeast High School.
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Petition created on September 10, 2026