Arnold Thurmond

PARKER-GRAY HIGH, ALEXANDRIA

As head basketball coach at Parker-Gray High School from 1952-1965 Arnold Thurmond compiled a record of 214- 87. His teams won four consecutive VIA Group II State Championships 1957-1960. In 1956 and 1957 his teams won 39 consecutive games. The 1957 team played in the National Negro High School Tournament at Tennessee A&I College in Nashville, Tennessee. His 1963 team was VIA Group II state runner-up. In addition to VIA competition, Coach Thurmond’s teams played many of the top teams in Washington, D.C. and suburban Maryland. A graduate of Hampton Institute (now University) Mr. Thurmond was also an assistant football coach. As teacher, mentor, role model and father figure, he impacted the lives of many students he did not coach. His commitment to building strong character and awareness of fair play was always evident in his players. He guided his students to be team leaders, team builders and good citizens. He retired from the Alexandria City Public School System after serving as a teacher, coach, guidance counselor, assistant principal, resource center director and adult education counselor. For his service to the youth of the city, the Alexandria City Council formally recognized him with an Official Proclamation on May 1, 2002.