Gonzaga University Athletics

Unique, in its dictionary definition of standing alone in quality, summarizes the accomplishments of Eli Thomas in his collegiate boxing career at Gonzaga. The university participated in the NCAA boxing tournament just twice, in 1950 and 1951, and Thomas won individual championships each time. On his way to these titles Thomas put together two undefeated college seasons. Thomas had a 13-0 record in 1950, that season culminating in a victory at 155 pounds over Pat Heims of the host school in the NCAA meet at Penn State as Gonzaga won the team championship. In 1951, the Butte, Mont., native won a second Pacific Coast Intercollegiate championship en route to the national meet at Michigan State where he won his other NCAA title by outpointing Dick Diaz of San Jose State at 165 pounds. “I guess mental toughness would describe Eli,” one of his teammates said. “Simply plenty of heart.”