His college choice was down to Cal and Vanderbilt. Good for our program, good for the younger players. Neither Bequette or his dad envisioned him playing college football on the west coast. Thats the type of effort you love to see from Luc or any of those guys on that team, especially on the defense who have that same mentality.. In 1988, Debi Thomas made history as the first African-American athlete to win a medal at the Winter Olympics, taking home . They are all about accountability. In certain packages, hell transition back to the edge where he compiled a team-high-tying five sacks as a redshirt junior last fall. In 1985, Debi came second at the U.S. Figure Skating and a World Figure Skating Championship (1986). Starting at age four, Bequette was an avid baseball player who blossomed as a young basketball star during early adolescence. Debra Janine Thomas (born March 25, 1967) is an American former figure skater and physician. Are Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue Dating? Her rivalry with East Germany's Katarina Witt at the 1988 Calgary Olympics was known as the Battle of the Carmens. probably longer than any player has been at Cal, ever., Bequette came to Cal from Little Rock, Arkansas, in 2015 and played for the Bears through 2019. She now recruits people to buy small gold bullion pieces she calls "Karatbars." Josh Yuen covers football. At the 1988 Winter Olympics held in Calgary, she and Katarina Witt engaged in a rivalry that the media dubbed the "Battle of the Carmens", as both women skated their long programs to the music of Georges Bizet's opera Carmen. "Part of the reason was my grades. She took a year off after graduating Stanford in 1991, another year off when her son was born in 1997. Nothing would ever be enough. is 1.67m (5ft 52in) . I applied everywhere," Thomas said. Bequettes future seems on a good path. Just a few weeks ago, he arrived for his final fall camp in blue and gold. It sort of blew it for me., Elizabeth Manley, Katarina Witt and Debi Thomas at the 1988 Winter Olympic Games on February 27, 1988 at the Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada | Photo: GettyImages, Less than a month after the Olympics, Debi married Brian Vander Hogen, who was a student at the University of Colorado, on March 15, 1988. [13] Thomas followed this with a surgical residency at the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences Hospital and an orthopedic surgery residency at the Martin Luther King Jr./Charles Drew University Medical Center in South Central Los Angeles. Debi Thomas is currently living in Terre Haute, Indiana with her husband and son, and is a practicing physician in that city . Her net worth has been growing significantly in 2022-2023. Cal lost to an Arizona team that hadnt won a game in more than two years a Pac-12 record 20-game losing streak then had to postpone its game last week against USC when the virus spread to 44 players, coaches and staff. She is best known from being a two time US national champion, and the 1988 Olympic bronze medalist in figure skating. Bequette played four sports in high school: football, baseball, wrestling and track. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Imatorbhebhe asked Bequette about his old hometown. This option will reset the home page of this site. From his first day forward, Bequette was a lineman much to the delight of his dad, who started nearly 40 games at Arkansas on the offensive line. She also lost custody of her son due to poor living conditions. Dear Abby: Am I overreacting to my European daughter-in-law's behavior? So, how much is Debi Thomas worth at the age of 56 years old? Yeah, hes been here for a really, really long time . She was a Black figure skater, surgeon, and community activist. As of mid-2018, sources inform us of a net worth that is at $20,000, earned mostly through success in professional figure skating, and from her work as a physician, however, divorces and working in relatively poverty-stricken areas as a physician have limited the size of her bank account. Last seasons starter Chris Palmer had graduated, and role players Siulagisipai Fuimaono and Aaron Maldonado were away from the team for personal reasons. I hate to say it but I used to have a Tiger Woods Stanford golf shirt and hat, Bequette said. She told the newspaper it was to help him wean off the drugs. Thomas was one of the best figure skaters, competing against people who are household names to this day. "I'm thankful I have a better relationship with. Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 2000. Arkansas has spring football, which offered Luc a chance for greater exposure during the recruiting process. Debi Thomas at her home in Fountain Valley, July 6, 2006 | Photo: GettyImages. I think I got second in state for 7A (in shotput) and then did baseball at the same time as that.. And Thomas, even though they were dating, prescribed him pills. Bequettes father, in the stands that night, is among the Cal faithful celebrating the key stop. So how did the grandson, nephew, cousin and son of Arkansas greats end up in Berkeley? Bequette, who is cleared to play this week, said the Big Game means more than ever, given this years circumstances. Photo by Matt A. During this time, Thomas returned to school to become an orthopedic surgeon. While practicing in Richlands, Thomas met the father of a boy she was treating for a broken wrist. Her husband is Chris Bequette (m. 19962010). With eight taters, edging Joe Aeilts and Jake Beesley. Her rivalry with East Germany's Katarina Witt at the 1988 Calgary Olympics was known as the Battle of the Carmens. Debi Thomas Thank you! It was a little hard, Bequette said. Bob Asmussen is a college football reporter and columnist for The News-Gazette. Dear Abby: I have a great life, so why have I fallen into this shameful behavior? She is from NY. The way he describes his new position? During her medical career, while she was skilled at doing the procedures and well-liked by patients, she had difficulty working with other doctors due to her personality, and went from clinic to clinic, never staying longer than one year. Final score: Bears 15, Trojans 14. She studied at Stanford University during her competitive career until her move to Boulder, Colorado during the 198788 season, and had resumed her studies by 1989. However, when the big day came at the Olympics, Debi didnt give her best, something that she admitted years later. All that was left was a phone call to the Bequette household. Ive got to get out and do that, Bequette said. Theyve done a great job.. I came out to Cal and just fell in love with it. And then came his cousin Jake, who, as a defensive end for the Razorbacks, became a third round pick for the New England Patriots, and enjoyed a short-lived NFL career that included a Super Bowl ring in 2014. For her, everything had to be done with excellence.. / Debi Thomas / Calling Dr. Thomas / Olympian trades skates for scrubs, Debi Thomas, figure skating sensation out of San Jose who came up short of Olympic gold medal, is now a doctor. Baseball was definitely my first love, Bequette said. Now 21, Bequette is all grown up. Many of Bequettes current teammates in Berkeley were in middle school. A Hed like to continue playing football, but has completed commercial real estate classes, is ready to take the test and already has a job lined up. She is the 1986 World champion, the 1988 Olympic bronze medalist, and a two-time U.S. national champion. Debi told ABC Sports: For as long as I can really remember, I wanted to be a doctor [] I would make my mom buy me the toy doctor kit.". Thomas relocated to Boulder, Colorado in the winter of 198788 to prepare for the Olympics. Mental illness may sometimes happen, anyway, but I do think that, sometimes, it is deliberately fostered by the challenges and rejection that racist assumptions heap on young athletes of color. She spent a year at the University of Arkansas doing a residency in general surgery and then moved on to do a year and a half of orthopedic research before she was accepted into the program in Southern California. From his first day forward, Bequette was a lineman much to the delight of his dad, who started nearly 40 games at Arkansas on the offensive line. Her rivalry with East Germany 's Katarina Witt at the 1988 Calgary Olympics was known as the Battle of the Carmens . Dr. Thomas married sports attorney Chris Bequette in 1996, and in 1997, just weeks after receiving her medical degree, she and her husband welcomed their first child, Christopher Jules Bequette II. Company Profile; Mission Statement; Vision Statement; Quality Policy; Testimonial; Valued Customers; News; Events; Career; Contact Us; Solutions. In July 2006, she began a one-year fellowship at the Dorr Arthritis Institute at Centinela Hospital in Inglewood, California, for sub-specialty training in adult-reconstructive surgery. I pray that she gets help. I knew she was going to be fine.. "It took me a while to get into a residency program. Were trying to get to our eighth win and look good for the rest of the country.. At 56 years old, Debi Thomas height During this time, she was studying a pre-med course at Stanford University, and it was considered unusual for a competitive figure skater to attend college at the same time because of the combined work load. Low 41F. The son of Chris Bequette and Debi Thomas, Luc moved to Little Rock, Ark., in 2013. We all are:). That same year, Debi was named ABCs Wide World of Sports Athlete of the Year. Make no mistake Bequette has all but made sure that the Razorbacks whiffed on him. The medical board recommended a distressed-physician program, but Thomas couldn't afford it. Thomas has been in Los Angeles for seven months. Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, where Bequette had once visited as a kid when Arkansas football visited USC. In 1983, she began to represent the Los Angeles Figure Skating Club, which launched her career. But its not the years that distinguish Bequette, a 6-2, 295-pound defensive end who will start for the Bears on Saturday in the 124th Big Game at Stanford Stadium. I think Illinois has got a good team. . [5] Thomas was a pre-med student at Stanford University during this time, although it was unusual for a top U.S. skater to go to college at the same time as competing. As I mentioned, I love traveling and so that was definitely one of my main reasons for coming here.. He plans to pursue a career in the NFL. Debi Thoms had a happy marriage with her first husband, Brian Vander. [8] Thomas' Carmen program consisted of "big powerful jumps",[9] fast spins in strong positions, Spanish steps that were sharply accented, an uplifted torso, and straight, clean lines as expressed in her arms and legs. Thomas has been in Los Angeles for seven months. [11] By winning the bronze medal, Thomas became the first black athlete to win any medal at the Winter Olympics.[12]. After Ms. Thomas won her bronze medal at the Olympic games, I attended a workshop on leadership styles. While not his choice, hes the one that got away from his family tradition at Arkansas. On the flip side, the Trojan offense has taken advantage of rare miscues from the Bear defense and is on the cusp of taking a three-score lead into halftime. "When I was in medical school, taking tests was hard for me and I couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong.". It seems like every day I hear something new and crazy that shows how long Ive been in college, said Bequette, 24. Tuesday evening June 29, 2010.Robert K. O'Daniell/The News-Gazette Luc Bequette gets his trophy at the LIttle League Home Run Derby in Eisner Park in Champaign, IL. His name is Jamie Looney, and they began a relationship. She graduated from Stanford in 1991 with a degree in . Born in 1967, Debi is currently 54 years old. Windy. I had several patients with severe vertigo and was looking to use some of the desensitization techniques that have since come into practice. The scene? From ninth grade on, he bought in, and he worked his tail off.. Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 2000. nancy schultz obituary; how to make a reservation at girafe paris. He was a pitcher, catcher and corner infielder. That medal I dont even put it out. The 2021 season hasnt gone the way the Bears hoped. Arkansas was definitely my dream school, obviously, with the family connections, Bequette stated. Olympic bronze medalist and orthopedic surgeon Debi Thomas has given a new interview revealing she has hit rock bottom, now broke, unemployed and living in a bed bug-infested trailer in the. I spoke up at the time and reminded her that Mr. Iacocca could afford to be mellow because as a white man his leadership was accepted readily, while in the case of Ms. Thomas, she would be considered a loser no matter what she managed to achieve in life, which was already plenty for several lifetimes. She graduated from Stanford in 1991 with a degree in engineering and from the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in 1997. She failed her most challenging trick, consecutive triple jumps, in the first two minutes of the performance, and she lost motivation after that. 93 at Levis Stadium later this month. She earned her bachelors degree in engineering from Stanford University in 1991 and then retired from skating in 1992 to enroll at the Northwestern University Medical School. The son of Chris Bequette and Debi Thomas, Luc moved to Little Rock, Ark., in 2013. Her letter was technically intelligent and thoughtful. As he recalls, his coaches pulled him from the tight ends, and just like that his career as a pass catcher was over. Graduated from Northwestern Medical School (1997), Graduated from Stanford University with a degree in engineering, On the cover of Time magazine (February 15, 1988), Bud Greenspan's Favorite Stories of Winter Olympic Glory, The Official 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics Video, Herself / American Figure Skater Bronze Medalist. Or, with his bigger stature and struggles throwing a football, a tight end. T Thomas began with a triple toe-triple toe combination, which was rare for a female skater in the 1980s. However, when Debi got tired of jumping from job to job and decided to open her practice in Richlands, Virginia, she moved by herself and left her husband and son behind. I now hear about the notoriety of our newest gymnastic star, Ms. Biles, and I hope and pray that she is never subjected to those same attitudes. Soon, the Cal coaches offered him a scholarship. T I just kind of look forward to the future. Thomas, who contested the bipolar diagnosis, declared bankruptcy in 2014. Or working as a financial advisor like his dad. https://www.facebook.com/Debi-Thomas-81725206663/, https://www.instagram.com/thomasdebi/?hl=en, Where is figure skater Dorothy Hamill today? Pac-12 business affairs: Spring meetings feature loaded agenda, but no decision expected on you-know-what, Pac-12 football: Breaking down the winners and losers from the NFL Draft, NFL Draft: Monte Vistas Jake Haener joins Fresno State alum Derek Carr in New Orleans, Pac-12 news recap: Key developments from the week include NFL Draft, Big Ten chatter and CUs roster purge. Thomas moved practices from Illinois to Indiana and finally to Richlands, Virginia in 2010. cassgender vs gender apathetic. It was just sitting in a box somewhere, she stated. She was also selected by President George W. Bush to be part of the U.S. Delegation for the Opening Ceremonies of the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy along with other former Olympians: Dorothy Hamill, Eric Heiden, Kerri Strug, and Herschel Walker. [9] In Thomas' short program, she used techno dance music and wore "a form-fitting skirtless unitard that showed off both her long lines and her musculature". When hes no longer here, Wilcox said, its going to feel awkward., Cal player Luc Bequette has a famous mom and a, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Cal player Luc Bequette has a famous mom and a seven-year college football career, Prep roundup: Cal-bound ace Oliver de la Torre leads Amador Valley over Granada, NFL Draft preview: Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez leads our list of top Pac-12 prospects, Former Cal Bears, NFL star hanging on, helping others despite grim ALS diagnosis, Cal introduces Mark Madsen as face to lead Bears mens basketball out of darkness. I just know that I'm out of shape. His uncle and a couple cousins attended Cal, and his mother is Stanford graduate Debi Thomas, the San Jose native who went on to become a world figure skating champion in 1986 and Olympic bronze medalist in 88. Its a good jinx, though.. After a disappointing start, it would mean a lot to the fans and the community.. Hes got the physical toughness and hes a veteran, so he understands what were doing, DeRuyter said. Privacy Policy. And his team was pretty darn good at it. He has his Cal degree in legal studies and will finish a post-graduate certificate program next month. | Photo: GettyImages Advertisement November 9, 2015. But Bequette has never been one to turn down an adventure, and his visit to Berkeley fueled his ambitions on and off the field. If you go back and look at that play, it was just about effort, hustle, where you couldve given up, you couldve quit, it was away from you, and he just kept going and going, Chris said. Thomas placed fifth in the World Championships in 1985 and won gold in 1986. Dr. Thomas has worked with the . Figure Skating Championships in Denver, 1988 | Photo: GettyImages. "He was an easy kid to raise," Chris said.. "Engineering is very different. Bequette started his Cal career with Sonny Dykes as his head coach. Thomas began with a triple toe-triple toe combination, which was rare for a female skater in the 1980s. Back in 2010, Luc Bequette was a big smasher. Debi Thomas attends the Toast To 135 Years Of Thomas' English Muffins at The Muffin House on April 23, 2015 in New York City. (Josh) was thinking about coming here and was going to move into our house, Bequette said. Lots of us do and beautiful Debbie deserves the best life qs much as anyone out there. Debi Thomas. [5] In 1986, she received a Candace Award for Trailblazing from the National Coalition of 100 Black Women.[6]. Others merely think she looks familiar. Cal is stoked he did. Just as St. Brown collides with the initial defender, Bequette flies in, having run across the field from the weak side. Her husband, attorney Christopher Bequette, and 4-year-old son Luc, stayed behind in Little Rock, Ark., where they have lived since 1998. Debi graduated from Northwestern in 1997 and continued her medical training to become an orthopedic surgeon with a residency at Charles Drew University Medical Center in Los Angeles. Thats something that I always wanted to be a part of and join their group.. But it's not the years that distinguish Bequette, a 6-2, 295-pound defensive end who will start for the Bears on Saturday in the 124th Big Game at Stanford Stadium. It's the most challenging thing I've ever done.". "But I like it best when people say I want Dr. Thomas because she listens and explains things in a way I can understand," she said. Its the resume: This is Bequettes seventh season of college football and on Saturday he will play his 62nd career game. debi thomas husband, chris bequette Debi Thomas, the former figure skater that became the first black athlete to win a medal at the Winter Olympics, turned into a struggling physician that lost her bronze medal to bankruptcy. View popular celebrities life details, birth signs and real ages. "I feel sometimes like I've taken five years off," Thomas said. Debi married her second husband, sports attorney, Chris Bequette, in 1996, and they welcomed a son, Christopher, in 1997. At one point, Thomas switched her major to engineering. Thomas returned to the ice briefly to participate in "The Caesars Tribute: A Salute to the Golden Age of American Skating", an event which featured many of the greatest legends and icons of American figure skating. After redshirting his freshman year and competing on the scout team against former Cal football star Jared Goff, Bequette won the teams award for Most Improved Lineman. In 1987, Thomas suffered with Achilles tendinitis in both ankles and struggled at the U.S. Nationals, placing second to Jill Trenary. She is the 1986 World champion, the 1988 Olympic bronze medalist, and a two-time U.S. national champion. But with the two nose guards still absent and true freshman Brett Johnson under his wing, Bequette has emerged as more than just a competent replacement for Palmer. Luc Bequette gets his trophy at the LIttle League Home Run Derby in Eisner Park in Champaign, IL. Bequettes grandfather, George, was the trendsetter the first of the family to don cardinal and white. She got hold of a gun and fired it to the ground. Debbie seems like a kind soul but like so many famous people she got lost somehow. The speaker, a white woman who certainly had no accomplishments to her name like those of Ms. Thomas, referred to Ms. Thomas attitude as one of a loser. As if someone who wins an Olympic bronze medal could ever be considered a loser, never mind the fact that she was also a student at one of the most prestigious and demanding universities in the country, and in one of its most difficult fields. About. Learn How rich is She in this year and how She spends money? Company. Some parts of her story, have been blown out of proportion, Bequette said, including the reason he lived with his father through high school. There are new goals now. But he's actually done remarkably well.". His initial thoughts were, I dont know if this guy can play D-line. The more he saw me move, he decided I could, Bequette said. Thomas was diagnosed with bipolar disorder by April 2012. At this point Ive kind of gotten over it. A close up of my four biggest skating accomplishments Olympic Bronze, Two U.S. National Championship Golds, and a, Posted by Debi Thomas onSaturday, March 27, 2010.