Lenoir-Rhyne University Athletics

Thompson was one of Lenoir-Rhyne's greatest baseball players but it was his contributions to the team as a coach and to the city of Hickory that set him apart. Three-year letterwinner from 1960-62 under Head Coaches Hanley Painter and Odell Moose, Thompson lead the team in hitting as a sophomore and served as team captain as a junior.  Thompson graduated in only three years (1962) and taught and coached for four years before becoming Recreation and Parks Director for the City of Hickory, a position he held for 31 years before retiring. Thompson also coached the Lenoir-Rhyne Baseball Team from 1984-86.  He helped lead the Bears to a then-school-record 20 wins in 1984 and added a third scholarship to the program (Pat Shores).  During his tenure as the Recreation and Parks Director, Thompson spearheaded the addition of 19 parks, numerous athletic fields and the birth of the Hickory Midget Baseball League.  Thompson, and his wife, Shirlene, has two children (Jeff and Lisa) and two grandchildren (Patricia and Sydney).