WINTER PARK, Fla. (September 11, 2012) - Known for his courageous and heroic background, Jordan Thomas has been added to the women's golf staff, it was announced by Head Coach Julie Garner.  He will serve as the volunteer student assistant for the Tars this season.

Thomas, a student at Rollins, will aid the team on and off the links.  He will act as the team's "Motivator in Chief" as he will implement a plan that focuses on having the girls practice with a purpose and maximizing the potential of each lady on the squad.

The Chattanooga, Tenn. native played junior golf up until the age of 16 when he was involved in a boating accident that took both his legs.  From this, Thomas draws life experiences that he uses in motivational speeches given across the nation for his foundation, the Jordan Thomas Foundation.

"I have always told the team that when you surround yourself with good people, good things happen.  We are so fortunate that Fabia (Rothenfluh) sent me an email suggesting that I reach out to Jordan to see if he'd like to play a role with our team this year and luckily for us he accepted!" said Garner. 

In his playing days, the once avid golfer racked up 11 straight tournament titles from the age of 11 to 14.  He was the team captain of his senior high school golf team, after taking a year off due to his accident.  With his love and passion for the game, Thomas was asked to participate in the RE/MAX World Long Drive Competition and will also be competing for the U.S. men's golf team at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

He has received a plethora of awards in recognition of his efforts for those unable to afford prosthetic devices. 

"He is a wonderful mentor and role model for the team regarding what is possible in life if we work hard and stay positive.  You get out of life what you put into it and Jordan embodies that statement through his exhaustive efforts for those less fortunate."

Thomas, founder of the Jordan Thomas Foundation, began the non-profit organization in 2005, at the age of 16, while recovering from the accident.  After realizing that not many children in the hospital had the same advantages as he did, Thomas decided to create the organization in order to provide prosthetic devices for underserved children and adolescents with amputations, offering support and counseling for individuals and families. 

Since its inception in 2005, the organization has raised more than $1.2 million with funds properly dispersed to families in need.

To read more about Jordan's story and mission for his foundation, click here.