Our Team
Royal Thomas Jr.
Founder & President
Royal Thomas Jr. is the founder and president of Let’s Run It Back. His passion for sports, education and giving back is what compelled him to establish the non-profit organization. Through his travels to many cities across the U.S. and several International countries, Royal would learn the importance of education, building meaningful relationships and giving back to those in need. His desire is to help former student-athletes attain a college degree so they will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to have a positive impact on the communities in which they live.
Royal was born and raised in Beaumont, Tx., in an area known as the Pear Orchard. Raised predominately by his mother and the Neighborhood, Royal knew from as early as nine years old that sports would be his ticket to a successful career. And like most kids from the Pear Orchard, he wished to one day become a professional athlete. That wish came true when the Philadelphia Phillies drafted the All-District Pitcher from West Brook Senior High School in the 1987 Major League Baseball Draft. After a 10-year professional baseball career (Phillies, Padres, Dodgers, Braves, Cubs), and international stops with the Australian League Brisbane Bandits, Dominican Republic Las Estrellas and Mexico City Los Tigres, and a final stop with the Abilene Prairie Dogs of the Tx. /La. Independent league, Royal earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology from Lamar University in 2000. While at Lamar, he made the Dean’s List as well as receiving the Faculty Choice Award for academic excellence. After receiving his degree, Royal’s love for sports led him to coaching and teaching, another wish come true. He taught Health and Physical Education and was head baseball coach at Ozen High School in Beaumont for 13 years before moving to his present coaching and teaching job in the Katy ISD, located just outside of Houston. Royal received his Masters Degree in Education Administration from Grand Canyon University in 2008.
With his professional background in both education and sports, Royal wants to invest in the future of former student-athletes that may have had the same hopes and dreams of professional stardom, but instill in them the pride and achievement that comes with completing a college degree so they can in-turn pay it forward to the next generation.
Royal has two children, Alexia Starr, 28, who received her graduate degree from Texas Southern University and is currently teaching and coaching in the Houston ISD. His son, Cameron Joshua, 23, attended University of New Mexico and is currently a day trade specialist. Royal enjoys sports, watching movies and sports documentaries, traveling and spending time with family.
