The 2010-2011 season marks the 16th at the helm of the North Carolina Wesleyan men’s basketball program for head coach John Thompson. Widely respected among his coaching peers, Thompson is considered to be a true teacher of the game of basketball… and of life.

Thompson places a strong emphasis on player development both on the court and in the classroom. His practices are carefully designed lesson plans that promote hard work, perseverance, and self-discipline. In an effort to see his players succeed, he strives daily to promote this message.

“We work very hard at player development,” says Thompson. “This consists not only of basketball skils and related education, but classroom, community, and character development as well.”

His work ethic and enthusiasm for the game serve as the foundation for the North Carolina Wesleyan program. An intense competitor, it is Thompson’s goal to develop a consistently successful program that is built around good people… people that personify effort, determination, and passion. By bringing out these qualities in Bishop athletes, Thompson is able to create fundamentally sound players that compete at both ends of the court.

Adds Thompson, “Passion, work ethic, persistence, and loyalty are key ingredients that we look for in recruiting and that we try to instill here in our program. We believe these attributes and values set the tone as we strive for excellence.”

Prior to arriving at Wesleyan, Thompson worked as an assistant at St. Andrews Presbyterian College, St. Lawrence University, and Guilford College. While at St. Lawrence, the Saints won the ICAC Championship, and his 1988-1989 Guilford squad won the NAIA District 26 Championship and advanced to the National Tournament.

Thompson has gained notoriety as an excellent speaker. Most recently, he spoke alongside UNC Chapel Hill head coach Roy Williams at the North Carolina Basketball Coaches Association’s fall clinic, while last year, he was chosen to speak at the Nike Fairfax Stars Coaches Clinic in Fairfax, VA. Thompson was the lone Division III coach selected at each.

Originally from Durham, North Carolina, Thompson played collegiately at St. Andrews and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. The captain of his team as a senior, Thompson graduated from UNCG in 1984 with a degree in communications. After graduation, he was invited to try out with the Florida Suncoast Stingers of the Continental Basketball Association (CBA).

John Thompson wears many hats at Wesleyan and in the community. In addition to serving as Vice President of Athletics and head basketball coach at Wesleyan, he held the position of President of the USA South from 2001-2005. He is the current chairman of the USA South Basketball Coaches Committee, while also serving on the NABC Legislation Committee and the NABC Congress. In September 2007, he began a four-year appointment to the NCAA Basketball Rules Committee.

Additionally, Thompson sits on the Advisory Board of the Wesleyan Internship and Career Center and has served on the Staff Council, the Institutional Effectiveness Committee, the Matriculation Committee, the Homecoming Committee, the Enrollment Management Committee, the SACS Self-Study Education Sub-Committee, the 50th Anniversary Committee, and as a College 101 professor. Most recently, he has been appointed to the College’s First Year Experience Committee.

Thompson and his wife, Laura, live in Rocky Mount. They have three sons: Andrew and twins Jackson and Walker.

John Thompson
Vice President of Athletics
252-985-5218
jthompson@ncwc.edu