(Ed Thomas was Kampman's high school coach at Aplington-Parkersburg High School in Parkersburg, Iowa. Thomas coached for 37 years and was named the 2005 NFL High School Football Coach of the Year.)
"Coach Thomas was very special to me and many other young men from the Aplington-Parkersburg communities. His legacy for many will be associated with his tremendous success as a football coach. However, I believe his greatest legacy comes not in how many football games he won or lost but in the fact that he was a committed follower of Jesus Christ. He lived his life trying to exemplify this faith and convey those values to those under his influence. His faith in Christ pervaded everything he did and that is why in the midst of the heartache we all feel there is comfort in knowing he is with his Savior."
