A LEGACY AT SAINT JOHN’S

Thom Woodward arrived at Saint John’s University as a freshman in the fall of 1966, meaning he rubbed elbows with Johnnies like All-American football tackle Fred Cremer and Record editor Larry Haeg from the class of 1967. He’s been working on campus in some capacity ever since, including for now 18 seasons as an assistant baseball coach working with outfielders and helping with recruiting. Which means he is getting the opportunity to know future Johnnies who will make up the class of 2027.

“Things change, but there are three common denominators that remain,” Woodward said. “The Benedictine influence on this place, the residential nature of the school and the liberal arts education. Those are experiences Johnnies across the years have shared. So no matter what their age, when they meet, they bond immediately.” was the first time in a while that the program had gotten that far and it really meant a lot to everybody.

"I'll always remember a home run (former All-MIAC first baseman) Patrick Strey ’16 hit when I was coaching first base," Woodward continued. "You could tell the ball was gone right away and he dang near took my shoulder off with a high five.

“Another highlight was seeing someone like (outfielder) Joe Lampe ’14 finally hit his stride as a senior,” he continued. “He had been in the starting lineup during his sophomore and junior years, but lost his spot. Then he rose up the batting order to fourth during his All-MIAC senior year.”

Woodward credits Haugen and current and former assistants like Jason Spohn, Mike Carr and Chad Krueger with helping increase his knowledge of the game and making him a better coach.

But he said it’s now time to hand off his job to

Woodward will always feel his own bond to SJU. But he has decided now is the right time to step away. The 2023 season will mark his last on a coaching staff he first joined in 2005 as he was winding down his longtime role as the university’s director of alumni relations.

“I actually ended up moving into two positions, spending three-quarters of my time still in IA (institutional advancement) and one-quarter of my time in athletics,” he recalls. “That meant I walked into Jerry’s office one afternoon and told him ‘I’m your new assistant coach.’ He said OK, and he’s let me hang around ever since.”

During that tenure, SJU has made 13 appearances in the MIAC playoffs, winning postseason titles in 2012, ’15, ’16 and ’19 and advancing to the NCAA Division III tournament in each of those years.

“There have been a lot of great memories,” he said. “I remember when we made that (NCAA) regional appearance out in Oregon (in 2012). We were wrapping up on the field after we’d lost for the second time and been eliminated and (head coach) Jerry (Haugen) got really emotional. It

“I’m at the point now where my reflexes aren’t good enough for me to be coaching first base,” Woodward. “And we have a bigger and stronger coaching staff than we did when I started. I know everything is in great hands.”

Haugen said Woodward will be missed.

“Woody has certainly contributed to our program in many ways - a number which are not baseball related,” Haugen said.

“Being able to connect us with alums no matter where we are is one of his gifts. He’s also shared his great love of music on many a bus trip. He’s been a mentor off the field to many of our players - sending them on to the journey of life in front of them.

“He’s been an excellent addition all these years, but he’s been an even better friend to us all.”