When we say, Thomas Haugh was meant to be a Gator, we mean it. Because, you know, as an 8-year-old kid, this guy walked into school every day with a Florida Gators lunch box in hand. No, he didn’t live anywhere near Florida. And no, he can’t even remember why he picked the Gators in the first place, maybe it was just the “cool” team colors. But sometimes destiny starts with a lunchbox and a vibe.
Fast forward a decade, and that same lunchbox-carrying kid is now sinking clutch 3-pointers as a 6-foot-9 sophomore forward for the University of Florida. But before the SEC lights, Thomas was just a sports-loving kid from a small town in southeast Pennsylvania, juggling football, volleyball, and basketball in middle school. One thing was always clear, though—he had something special. And behind that special something were two constants: his mom and dad.
Who are Jennifer and Ryan Haugh?
Thomas didn’t just stumble into athleticism. He inherited it. Big time. His parents, Jennifer and Ryan Haugh, were serious athletes in their day. Jennifer was a middle hitter in volleyball and Ryan held it down as a middle linebacker in football, both playing college sports at Shippensburg University.
That’s not even the whole story. Thomas’ grandfather, Mike Fuhrman, played college football at Memphis State (now University of Memphis) and even had a stint in the NFL with the Baltimore Colts. Yes, it’s like sports run in the family like Sunday dinners.
NCAA, College League, USA Basketball: NCAA Tournament West Regional-Texas Tech at Florida Mar 29, 2025 San Francisco, CA, USA Florida Gators forward Thomas Haugh 10 dunks during the first half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the West Regional final of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Chase Center. San Francisco Chase Center California United States of America, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xEakinxHowardx 20250329_tcs_es2_063
Now, post-college life took Jennifer into elementary teaching and turned her into the ultimate sports mom-cum-chauffeur. Ryan went into the hospitality business. But together, they became the driving force behind three athletic kids and we’re talking a lot of practices, games, and late-night driveway sessions.
Now you’re probably wondering, where did Thomas get that towering 6-foot-9 frame? Well, his mom is 6’0 and dad’s 6’1—so not exactly short. But the real height jackpot came from Grandpa Fuhrman, who stood tall at 6’6. “I think that’s where I got my height from,” Haugh once said. So tall genes, elite athleticism, and full-blown support from day one was his recipe for success.
How did Thomas Haugh’s athletic family propel him to limelight?
Thomas didn’t fall in love with basketball right away. “To be honest, growing up I didn’t really fall in love with the game of basketball yet,” he admitted. “It was football for me.” And he was good at it. Dude was a solid quarterback and even had schools like Penn State and Ohio State sniffing around for volleyball.
But then, puberty said hello, and growth spurt alert. By his freshman or sophomore year, he was already 6-6 or 6-7. Hence, “I’m going to have to take the route of basketball,” he thought. And from there, the game started to grow on him. All those late-night shots in the driveway, his mom yelling from her window because it was midnight, the light they installed just so he could keep practicing—that’s when the love for hoops kicked in.
After a freshman year on JV, Thomas started getting real minutes as a sophomore on a good New Oxford squad—averaging about 8 points and 7 boards. He played for Philly Pride, then WeR1 on the Under Armour AAU circuit. After his sophomore season, he transferred to Perkiomen School to get more exposure (and a built-in gym to dodge those pesky COVID cancellations).
His junior year was a learning curve, but coaches like Tom Baudinet and a handful of college recruiters saw the vision. Offers rolled in: Army, Albany, Siena, Boston U, Vermont. Eventually, Thomas took a post-grad year and jumped into the 2023 class, where he leveled up across the board—posting 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks a game, shooting 54% overall and 35% from beyond the arc.
So when it came time to choose a college, it wasn’t even a debate. “Growing up, Florida was my dream school,” Thomas said. And now the dream is achieved. He’s even planning to settle in the south long term, majoring in business or biology. But the best part is all those calculated decisions—the transfers, the AAU grind, the late-night practice—paid off.
“We just went with it and it has paid off,” Haugh said. “I mean, look at it now. It’s all been a blessing.” And it really has. Some of his best performances for UF came when the squad needed him most—like during that five-game stretch where injuries plagued the top guys. Thomas stepped up, averaging 16.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists. He was also huge in game vs Texas Tech in the 2025 Elite 8.
But even with all the hype, Haugh hasn’t forgotten where he came from. Last summer, he returned to New Oxford, signed autographs at a local basketball camp, took pictures with kids, and even held a little Q&A. Because at the end of the day, he’s still that kid with a lunchbox and sports in his DNA, dreaming big.
And now, he’s living it.
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