Forever Orange and Black: The Legacy of Thomas Stubbs
Photo by Miranda Duarte
Pacific remembers Thomas Stubbs for his impact on shaping Pacific athletics and academic culture.
Thomas Stubbs came to Stockton in the fall of 1963 when he was hired as the Assistant Football Coach, Head Baseball Coach, and Assistant Professor of Physical Education at the University of the Pacific. Stubbs had sent his résumé to several colleges located in sunnier climates, and Pacific quickly responded, impressed with his interview and experience.
When his football tenure ended in 1968 andPacific’s Athletic Director Cedric Dempsey had no assistant at the time, Stubbs stepped up, balancing coaching responsibilities, administrative duties, and teaching, all while continuing to make a meaningful impact on student-athletes.
He believed strongly in selfless teamwork, a value symbolized by the quote he posted in the baseball locker room and never removed:
“It’s amazing what can be accomplished when nobody cares who gets the credit.”
Stubbs embodied this philosophy throughout his time in athletic administration, focused solely on getting the job done and ensuring student-athletes remained eligible, supported, and successful. “My main philosophy at that time as an athletic administrator was that I wanted to help the coaches be as successful as possible. I wanted to be a problem solver for them,” he said.
In 1978, as Pacific’s women’s athletic programs rapidly expanded, Stubbs served as the Senior Women’s Administrator (SWA), representing the University at the conference level. Despite being asked to step down by the NCAA to make room for more women in administrative roles, he reflected fondly on his time in that position. He appreciated the unique perspective he gained, often being the only male in the room, and fully supported the push for women to lead women’s programs. He credited Dempsey for laying the groundwork for the advancement in Pacific’s women’s programs and acknowledged the importance of ensuring they did not come under the same pressures as the men’s sports.
In 1988, Stubbs became Interim Athletic Director after Carl Miller was fired. That same year, the department was reorganized, and Stubbs continued as Chair of the Department and Associate Athletic Director. He was responsible for managing scholarships, athlete eligibility, and problem-solving within non-revenue sports.
Stubbs never shied away from crediting those who helped shape his career. He fondly recalled names like Meyer, Libby Matson, and Carl Voltmer for laying the foundation of Pacific’s athletic and academic programs. He formed a strong bond with Cedric Dempsey and shared a deep friendship with Connor Sutton, who arrived at Pacific and retired the same year. Stubbs also highlighted Ellen Deering as someone who took him under her wing and helped him understand the strengths of Pacific’s academic offerings.
Though he held many roles, Stubbs admitted that coaching baseball was always his top priority. His players depended on him for scheduling, leadership, and mentorship, and he dedicated his full energy to their development. Stubbs remained proudest of the nearly 100% graduation rate among his baseball players. “It is something I am most proud of, when you see kids learn and grow academically, professionally, emotionally, and leave Pacific with a good grasp on life.” Eighteen of his players went on to play professionally.
He believed his players' success stemmed not just from the classroom but from their relationships and experiences on the field. He credited time management, structure, and accountability, especially during the long baseball season, as vital tools for academic success.
Stubbs once said: “I think athletics is a very important part of education. It gives the student-athlete the experience of competing, of being a good team member, and all the qualities and values that go along with athletics, things that cannot be taught in the classroom.”
Athletic administration followed as his second passion, and teaching, he confessed, was his most challenging role.“That was the one that I was not very good at,” he reflected. “My evenings were spent recruiting for baseball instead of ruminating over lesson plans.”
Stubbs spearheaded the transition of the Department of Physical Education and Recreation into the Department of Sport Sciences. He served as department chair from 1988 to 1999, after the athletic director role was separated. Seeing that the terms "physical education" and "recreation" were losing relevance, he worked with Dean Roy Whiteker to rebrand and restructure the curriculum. He played a major role in the development of the Sport Management track, the transition of Physical Education to Sport Pedagogy, and the establishment of an Athletic Training track.
Under Stubbs’s leadership, the department became the largest enrolled major at Pacific for several years until Biology took the lead. He used the fees collected from the activity classes to ensure faculty had access to computers, books, journals, and other necessary resources.
Teaching Introduction to Sports Management became Stubbs’s favorite role, his “bailiwick” as he loved the behind-the-scenes work of athletic administration. His students, particularly women’s volleyball athletes, impressed him with their balance of academic and athletic excellence. He believed in hands-on learning, requiring his students to join a team or organize a tournament as part of their coursework. Still, he maintained a foundation in old-school lectures, tests, and memorization.
Stubbs was inducted into the Pacific Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997. In 2006, the 1968 baseball team, which Stubbs coached to the best winning percentage in program history, was inducted into the Hall of Fame. Inspired by the recognition, former player Terry Maple led an effort to establish a scholarship in Stubbs’s honor. With the support of many former athletes, the fund has grown to approximately $36,000. Stubbs always believed the senior pitcher was the most crucial player on a team, so the scholarship was directed toward pitchers, a decision he viewed as a key to his coaching success.
In 2018, the clubhouse was renamed the Tom Stubbs Clubhouse, and the entryway was redesigned to include graphics that honored the history of Pacific Athletics. The University also created the Tom Stubbs Leadership Award, given annually to a student-athlete who exemplifies the leadership qualities Stubbs modeled throughout his career.
Stubbs never forgot the emotional toll of Pacific’s decision to drop football. Though he understood the financial pressures, he believed that football’s competitive spirit had elevated Pacific athletes to excellence. Still, he admitted the return of the program was no longer feasible. One of his regrets was the apathy of the student body toward athletics. He disliked seeing empty bleachers and longed for more support from the student population to be as interested in sports as they were in academics.
Thomas Stubbs passed away on April 5, 2025. His legacy will forever be intertwined with the University of the Pacific. Through decades of dedication, leadership, and mentorship, Stubbs cultivated successful programs, supported countless athletes, and left behind an indelible impact on the campus community.
Sources:
https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1117&context=esohc
https://www.joinpaf.org/2018/10/16/baseball-clubhouse-dedication/
https://pacifictigers.com/honors/hall-of-fame/tom-stubbs/201