The St. Thomas Tommies have built a remarkable legacy in college athletics, known for their competitive success in St. Thomas Tommies basketball and UST Tommies football. Since joining NCAA Division I, the Tommies have quickly gained national recognition for their determination, championship mindset, and dedication to excellence across all sports programs, both past and present.
College Sports Established
1904
Location
St. Paul, Minnesota
College Name
University of St. Thomas
Collegiate History
2021 - Present / NCAA Division I
Conference History
2021 - Present / Summit League
Nickname
Tommies - For sports fans, the St. Thomas Tommies of Minnesota have been a source of pride and admiration since their inception in 1885. But what many may not know is that the team's nickname has an interesting origin story behind it.
St. Thomas Tommies Origin
"Tommies" was first used to refer to players from St. Thomas College, which had just opened in 1883 as one of Minnesota's first Catholic colleges for men. The school adopted this name after Saint Thomas Aquinas, known for his contributions to philosophy and theology during medieval times in Europe centuries ago, thus giving rise to “Tommie” as a nickname referring specifically to students from this college or university community.
This moniker then spread throughout the state when people began using it affectionately towards members of other teams across different athletic competitions such as football or basketball games within Minnesota itself - eventually becoming associated with all athletes representing any institution hailing from there regardless if they were partaking on behalf on said institute or not!
As time progressed, however, more than just academics took notice; local businesses started jumping onto the bandwagon too by incorporating “Tommy” into their branding efforts (such as Tommy’s Tap House) while also capitalizing off the popularity surrounding these collegiate programs through merchandise sales etcetera – furthering cementing its place within the culture over the years ahead until today where we now see countless references being made whenever talking about University sports teams originating out state!
All, whether you're a fan rooting for home team victory every Saturday afternoon come fall season or simply curious about the history behind why certain places become synonymous with particular nicknames/monikers– understanding the origins of how our beloved Tommies got named can be pretty fascinating!
NCAA Championships
Baseball 0
Men's Basketball 0
Women's Basketball 0
Football 0
Soccer 0
- 1991
- 2014
- 2020
- 2020
- 2021
- 2021
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Women’s basketball Division I Debut
The Tommies made their NCAA Division I debut under then-seventeenth-year head coach Ruth Opatz Sinn for the 2021–22 season. They won the 1991 NCAA Division III National Champion beating Muskingum 73–55. -
NCAA Frozen Four Appearance
St. Thomas played their first varsity game during the 1998–99 season. In the last 20 years, the Tommies have never had a losing season. They finished third or better in the MIAC every year. In the program’s 23-year history at the NCAA Division III level, the Tommies have won six conference championships, six conference tournament titles and reached the NCAA ... -
NCAA Division Move
The team competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Division I and are members of the Summit League. In baseball, they won 38 titles in the conference. They competed for the NCAA Division III championship on five occasions, winning two titles. It was announced in the summer of 2020 that they had received permission by the NCAA for a move ... -
Leading Hockey Program
Over the course of the first sixty five years, St. Thomas was one of the better teams in the conference but it became the leading program once Terry Skrypek arrived in 1987. In his 23 years with the program, Skrypek won 13 conference championships, 9 conference tournament titles and reached the NCAA Division III championship game twice. The men’s ice ... -
Men’s Summit League Debut
The St. Thomas Tommies men’s basketball team represents the University of St. Thomas, located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in NCAA Division I as a member of the Summit League where they have been a member since their Division I debut in 2021. The Tommies have appeared in nineteen NCAA Division III Tournaments. They are the NCAA Division III tournament champions ... -
Tommies Division III to I
Thomas received approval from the NCAA to begin competing at the NCAA Division I FCS level as a member of the Pioneer Football League starting with the 2021 season and became the first program to jump from NCAA Division III to Division I FCS. The Tommies made nine appearances in the NCAA Division III football playoffs, with a combined record ...
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St. Thomas Tommies History
The St. Thomas Tommies have built a proud tradition in collegiate athletics, known for their spirited competition and long-standing rivalries, especially with the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles. Founded in 1885, the university quickly developed a strong athletic culture, excelling across multiple sports including St. Thomas Tommies basketball and UST Tommies football, which have become cornerstones of their athletic identity.
Originally competing at the NCAA Division III level, the St. Thomas Tommies dominated with numerous conference championships and national titles before making the historic move to NCAA Division I in 2021. This transition marked a new era for the program, reflecting its commitment to growth, academic excellence, and athletic achievement. The Tommies’ success in both St. Thomas Tommies basketball and UST Tommies football has helped establish their reputation as one of the fastest-rising programs in the nation.
The St. Thomas Tommies basketball team has achieved remarkable progress since joining Division I, consistently improving its record and competing fiercely in the Summit League. Their disciplined defense and team-oriented play style have made them a respected opponent. Meanwhile, UST Tommies football has carried forward its winning legacy from Division III, where it claimed multiple conference championships and playoff runs under Coach Glenn Caruso, before stepping up to compete successfully against larger programs.
Tommies Achievements
Over the years, St. Thomas athletes have earned countless individual honors and academic awards, proving their dedication both on and off the field. The university’s facilities and coaching staff have continually evolved, helping the St. Thomas Tommies become a model of athletic excellence and integrity within the NCAA.
Today, the St. Thomas Tommies continue to build on their legacy through determination, teamwork, and school pride. With growing success in St. Thomas Tommies basketball, UST Tommies football, and several other sports, the Tommies remain a symbol of perseverance and achievement in collegiate athletics — with even greater triumphs on the horizon.
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