Officer Lloyd Thomas Chosen As UT Martin’s OVC Hoops For Heroes Ambassador

MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin has spotlighted Lloyd Thomas as its representative in the 14^th annual Ohio Valley Conference Hoops For Heroes initiative.

The Hoops For Heroes program honors military veterans and/or first responders from OVC institutions. Each school's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) selects an honoree and invites them to attend the OVC Basketball Championship tournament as a way to reward those in OVC communities who sacrifice so much for our freedom.

Thomas will be recognized in a pregame on-court ceremony at the 2025 OVC Basketball Championship event, which will be held on Wednesday, March 5 through Saturday, March 8 at the Ford Center in Evansville, Ind.

Thomas has served as a police sergeant for UT Martin's Department of Public Safety since 2023. He previously worked as a deputy sheriff at the Shelby County Sheriff's Office for a decade after spending nine years as an officer with the Memphis Police Department. He also worked as a correctional officer at the Shelby County Corrections (2002-03) and the Illinois Department of Corrections (2000-02).

Serving his country as a Cavalry Scout, Thomas served in the United States Army from 1993-99.

Both Skyhawk teams will be in action at the 2025 OVC Basketball Championships on Wednesday, March 5 as the No. 6 seed women's squad takes on No. 7 seed Western Illinois at 3 p.m. while the No. 8 seed men's team plays No. 5 seed Tennessee Tech at 6 p.m.

Officer Lloyd Thomas Chosen As UT Martin’s OVC Hoops For Heroes Ambassador

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