Twice during his career Thomas has won the Robert R. Neyland Outstanding Athletics Director Award, once in 2005 while at Akron, and again in April 2008 while at Cincinnati.
Additionally, Thomas launched the building of a new on campus football stadium and secured $20 million in individual and corporate gifts for the project.
Thomas' hire of men's basketball coach Keith Dambrot has led to unparalleled success, including eight postseason appearances in the last ten years.
While holding the role of director of athletics, Thomas increased the university's donor base by 180% and raised $70 million for the annual fund, capital projects, and endowments.
Lastly, under Thomas's leadership the university experienced an increase in annual student-athletes on Big East Academic All-Star Team from 124 to 218.
Thomas launched the $170-million State Farm Center renovation project, including a landmark $60-million naming rights agreement that was the largest for a college-only venue in the country.
Under Thomas's leadership, the University of Illinois won Big Ten championships in all four 2015 men's spring sports: baseball, tennis, track and field, and golf.
Thomas signed a 10-year, $60-million dollar contract with Learfield Sports and guided Illinois through an 18-month collaboration with Nike, resulting in all new marks and branding.