Ed Thomas had long emotional reach

IOWA CITY -- Ed Thomas impacted all students at Aplington-Parkersburg High School, not just those playing football.

University of Iowa volleyball players Megan Schipper, a senior, and Becky Walters, a junior, recalled Thomas as a motivating figure and someone who helped them with strength training during summer break.

"When I went home to lift and stuff, I'd always call him and he'd spot me," Walters said. "He was my driver's ed teacher, a family friend. He coached my brother. It was hard. It was really hard."

"He was always in the weight room when we would go in and lift," Schipper said. "He was a great guy. He was my economics and government teacher. It was always funny on football Fridays, he was always so into it and so excited. But he was a great guy, there's nothing else you can say about it."

Thomas, 58, was shot multiple times in front of about 20 athletes June 24 at the Aplington-Parkersburg weightlifting facility.

Former Aplington-Parkersburg player Mark Becker, 24, is charged with first-degree murder.

Walters and Schipper had family connections to the tragedy. Schipper's sister, Whitney, sat out of that morning's weightlifting session after having her tonsils removed. Walters' brother, Nick, played for Thomas alongside Becker.

Walters and Schipper said they are motivated by Thomas' memory by taking nothing for granted.

"It's very difficult but at the same time it's great that we have the community that we do," Schipper said. "We have so much support and so much love but it's definitely hard to deal with."