Steven Thomas - Head Coach
Steve was born in Sacramento California into a military family then spent years moving to various Air Force Bases around the country and overseas. Settling in Richardson in 1974, Steve spent the next few years attending Berkner High School, then Texas A&M, and finally University of New Mexico.
Steve moved to Chicago in 1983 and founded Art Props Unlimited, a special event production company. From 1977 to 1998 Steve was also a very active lap swimmer. Upon turning forty in 1998, he decided to take this passion to the next level. Steve eventually began working with Chicago Park District managing a pool overlooking Michigan Ave. Steve developed programming to teach swim lessons and instruct aqua fitness classes.
Steve began teaching private and semi-private swim lessons, plus aqua fitness classes at various locations in Chicago. This translated into overseeing the Latin School of Chicago’s Adult Swim Program. While at the Latin School Steve was recruited to oversee the summer camp and fall swim lesson programs which then led to working with the swim team. Steve eventually became a USA Swimming assistant coach for the Chicago Latin Romans Girls High School Swim Team, and Chicago Latin Age Group Swim Team.
Steve returned to Texas in 2015 to help care for his parents and began working at the JCC Dallas in March of 2016. Steve has coached the JCC Rays Prep Team for the past 8 years as Head Coach and has been the JAYS Head Coach since it's inception in April 2024.
Steve moved to Chicago in 1983 and founded Art Props Unlimited, a special event production company. From 1977 to 1998 Steve was also a very active lap swimmer. Upon turning forty in 1998, he decided to take this passion to the next level. Steve eventually began working with Chicago Park District managing a pool overlooking Michigan Ave. Steve developed programming to teach swim lessons and instruct aqua fitness classes.
Steve began teaching private and semi-private swim lessons, plus aqua fitness classes at various locations in Chicago. This translated into overseeing the Latin School of Chicago’s Adult Swim Program. While at the Latin School Steve was recruited to oversee the summer camp and fall swim lesson programs which then led to working with the swim team. Steve eventually became a USA Swimming assistant coach for the Chicago Latin Romans Girls High School Swim Team, and Chicago Latin Age Group Swim Team.
Steve returned to Texas in 2015 to help care for his parents and began working at the JCC Dallas in March of 2016. Steve has coached the JCC Rays Prep Team for the past 8 years as Head Coach and has been the JAYS Head Coach since it's inception in April 2024.
Jonathan Tikhonoff - Assistant Coach
Jonathan was born naturally deaf and grew up in northern part of California. He learned both American sign language and English speaking/writing in his entire childhood. Grew up through several years of California School for the Deaf in Fremont, then a year in mainstream school, then homeschool until college. After college, he went to Gallaudet University in Washington, DC and acquired Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology because he likes coding and tinkering with computers.
Dimas Fredrik - Youth Assistant Coach
