Kurt Thomas, who won five individual NCAA championships in men's gymnastics at Indiana State University and led the Sycamores to the 1977 National Championship, passed away at age 64.

Thomas was a world champion and the first American in 46 years to win a medal in international gymnastics competition. His five individual NCAA championships included the parallel bars and all-around in 1977 and parallel bars, horizontal bar and the all-around in 1979.

Thomas earned All-America honors 13 times in his Sycamore career and was the James E. Sullivan award winner in 1979 for the nation's top amateur athlete.

"I join Sycamores everywhere in sharing the shock and grief of the passing of Hall of Fame student-athlete Kurt Thomas, who led the Sycamores to the 1977 NCAA National Championship in men's gymnastics," ISU Director of Athletics Sherard Clinkscales said. "A five-time individual national champion, Kurt will always be remembered as one of the finest student-athletes to ever attend Indiana State University. His accomplishments on a national scale are simply second to none. Several from the university including myself and our President Dr. Deborah Curtis have visited with Kurt and his family in recent months. As great of an athlete that he was, he was an even better person. Following his competitive career, he went on to coach many more future champions through the Kurt Thomas Gymnastics Training Center in Frisco, Texas. Our hearts go out to his wife Beckie and his children Kassidy, Hunter and Kurt during this difficult time."
 
Thomas was inducted into the Indiana State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1999, the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 2003 and the Missouri Valley Conference Hall of Fame in 2010.

"I share the sorrow of all Sycamores as we mourn the loss of legendary gymnast Kurt Thomas," ISU President Dr. Deborah Curtis said. "Kurt led ISU to the NCAA national team championship in 1977 and was the first male world champion from the U.S. He was poised for Olympic glory in 1980, but that opportunity was lost with the U.S. boycott. Kurt represented his university, state, and country with professionalism and class. We will honor his legacy later this year. We will miss you, Kurt."

Thomas was known for his original and daring skills, including the "Thomas Flair" on pommel horse and the "Thomas Salto" on floor exercise. He won eight medals, three of them gold, at the 1978 and 1979 World Championships. 

At the 1978 World Championships in Strasbourg, France, Thomas excelled in the floor exercise to win the first world championship gold medal in U.S. men's gymnastics.

Thomas competed as a member of the U.S. team at the 1975 Pan American Games and the 1976 Olympics. Thomas turned pro following the USA boycott of the 1980 Olympics, and went on to perform for many years in professional shows and starred in the 1985 movie Gymkata. 

Thomas worked as a TV analyst for ABC Sports during the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. With professionals allowed in the Olympics in 1992, Thomas qualified for the 1992 U.S. Olympic Trials.

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