Bill Thurston

William Thurston

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 175 lb.

• School University of Michigan

• Born ~1934

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Bill Thurston was a college head coach for over 40 years.

Thurston spent three seasons playing in the minors. He debuted in 1956, splitting time between the Syracuse Chiefs (12 for 53, 2B) and the Augusta Tigers (0 for 1). In '57, he hit .271/.376/.368 for the Durham Bulls and registering 28 outfield assists, leading the Carolina League by ten. He wrapped up his playing career in 1958 by batting .251/?/.320 for the Lancaster Red Roses.

Thurston was head coach at Fordson High School, then became head coach of Amherst College in 1966 and held the job until 2009. He was inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1997. He was 751-427-11 41 seasons from 1966-2007. He also was head coach of Sparta in the Netherlands in 1977-1978; at age 44 in 1978, he also played a little.

Thurston was manager of the Australian national team in 1984, 1985 Asian Championship and 1985 Intercontinental Cup and was pitching coach for Team USA in the 1986 Amateur World Series.

Thurston was NCAA baseball rules editor from 1987-2001. He also wrote "An Instructional Manual for Pitchers and Pitching Coaches."

Sources: Amherst College bio, 1958 Baseball Guide