Book Debuts About Slain Iowa H.S. Coach Ed Thomas

MASON CITY, IA-Back in Iowa – the small town of Parkersburg is finding a new way to remember their own local hero. The story of their beloved high school football coach Ed Thomas is now being told on the pages of a new book.

He was killed by a former player back in June of 2009.

The book is called “The Sacred Acre: The Ed Thomas Story.”
It sums up Thomas’ life and all the inspiration and tragedy that came with it…from his role in the town’s recovery after a massive tornado, to his murder. But Friday night’s event were not just about the book.

If this field could talk it would have quite the story to tell.

It has seen football teams who have given their all, a massive tornado that damaged most of the town, and was a second home to a coach who shaped so many lives and inspired the community.

These folks here understand what the turf means…. and what kind of legacy coach Ed Thomas has left.

And now the sacred acre has one more meaning – as the title of a brand new book.

Author of the “The Sacred Acre,” Mark Tubb said, “I wanted them to get to know Ed Thomas in a very personal way like they never had before. I wanted them to feel like they were right there next to him as many of these things were happening in his life.”

Ed Thomas was murdered by former player Mark Becker just a year after he helped the town of Parkersburg re-build following a deadly EF 5 tornado.

The story is a familiar one to locals … but author Mark Tabb knew the life of Ed Thomas – and strength of the community – is something that could inspire places outside city and state lines.

Tabb said, “This is how one life lived out for beyond itself, being lived out for other people can make an impact that goes far above our wildest imagination.

Tabb adds it’s not just a story about Thomas’ life. It also shares lessons from the coach that can live on in others

“That’s the message in this book, is that any life, no matter how small you feel like you are, your life can make a lasting impact that goes far above our wildest imagination,” said Tabb.

And as folks in the community gather to celebrate Coach Thomas’ life … and the new book that will share that life with others… they’re also getting to hear from the coach himself one last time.

He said while talking to his team before a game, “For whatever you do in life, have a passion for what you do and impact other people.”

Tabb said he hopes to one day make the Ed Thomas story a movie to reach an even bigger audience.
But for now he’s captured that story on paper for the whole world to see.
That’s not the only way Thomas’ legacy is living on…a monument on Thomas’ Sacred Acre from former players was also unveiled Friday night.
Governor Branstad and American Idol recording artist Michael Sarver were also at the event this evening.