DePaul University Athletics
David Thompson Named Track and Field Assistant Coach
11/26/2024 2:00:00 PM | TRACK AND FIELD
Thompson joined Blue Demons, Nov. 4
CHICAGO – Chicago native and North Central College Athletics Hall of Famer David Thompson officially joined the DePaul track and field staff, head coach Dave Dopek announced. The newly named assistant coach returns to Chicago with over two decades of collegiate coaching experience.
"It is with great excitement that we add coach David Thompson to our DePaul University Athletics family," said head coach Dave Dopek. "He will bring a wealth of experience and passion to our track & field program."
Thompson previously served as the head track coach at San Francisco State from December 2022 until his appointment at DePaul earlier this month. In two seasons with the Gators, Thompson led San Francisco State to sixth and seventh place finishes at the CCAA Championships, with three athletes earning numerous top-three conference finishes in events such as the high jump, pole vault, and 100m. Additionally, multiple athletes earned All-CCAA recognition, and one achieved back-to-back All-American honors.
"I'm incredibly excited to return to Chicago and join DePaul University Athletics," said Thompson. "I would especially like to thank DeWayne Peevy, Jill Hollembeak, and Dave Dopek for this opportunity."
Prior to San Francisco State, Thompson held head coaching positions at NYU, Augustana College, Williams College, SUNY Oswego, Dubuque, and Ashford (Ia.).
"Having spent the last 16 years as a head coach at various universities that range from East to West Coast, Coach Thompson is uniquely suited to help us reach our next level of success," said Coach Dopek. "As a Chicago native and North Central College graduate, he is quite familiar with the area as well as the recruiting scene in the Midwest. We are thrilled to add someone with his resume to our team and look forward to the positive impact that he will have on our student-athletes."
Throughout his career, Thompson has coached 20 NCAA All-Americans, 28 national qualifiers, and numerous conference champions across Division II and III programs. His teams have earned USTFCCCA All-Academic honors while producing champions in events like the 100m, pole vault, and 5,000m.
At Augustana and Ashford, Thompson developed 16 All-Conference performers, coached six NCAA Division III national qualifiers, and guided his teams to a combined 32 school records and 11 indoor and outdoor conference championships. His career highlights also include coaching multiple individual SUNYAC champions, a 55m National Champion, and the school's first women's Triple Jump All-American.
"I'm excited to be a part of what Coach Dopek has built at DePaul and to join such an accomplished staff. The coaching staff, administration, and student-athletes have been very welcoming, and I'm excited to work with such a talented and motivated group."
Thompson earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from North Central College in 1999, completing a decorated track and field career as an 11-time All-American and three-time NCAA Division III National Champion.
After transferring from Monmouth College, where he earned four All-American honors, he won the 1997 indoor long jump and helped lead North Central to the 1998 NCAA Outdoor Championship with victories in the 200-meter dash and 4x100 relay, setting a school record. He also earned third in the 100 meters at the 1998 NCAA Championships and was named Outstanding Performer at the 1998 CCIW Outdoor Championships.
A 2008 North Central Hall of Fame inductee, Thompson still holds multiple school records, including the indoor 60 meters and outdoor 200 meters.
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"It is with great excitement that we add coach David Thompson to our DePaul University Athletics family," said head coach Dave Dopek. "He will bring a wealth of experience and passion to our track & field program."
Thompson previously served as the head track coach at San Francisco State from December 2022 until his appointment at DePaul earlier this month. In two seasons with the Gators, Thompson led San Francisco State to sixth and seventh place finishes at the CCAA Championships, with three athletes earning numerous top-three conference finishes in events such as the high jump, pole vault, and 100m. Additionally, multiple athletes earned All-CCAA recognition, and one achieved back-to-back All-American honors.
"I'm incredibly excited to return to Chicago and join DePaul University Athletics," said Thompson. "I would especially like to thank DeWayne Peevy, Jill Hollembeak, and Dave Dopek for this opportunity."
Prior to San Francisco State, Thompson held head coaching positions at NYU, Augustana College, Williams College, SUNY Oswego, Dubuque, and Ashford (Ia.).
"Having spent the last 16 years as a head coach at various universities that range from East to West Coast, Coach Thompson is uniquely suited to help us reach our next level of success," said Coach Dopek. "As a Chicago native and North Central College graduate, he is quite familiar with the area as well as the recruiting scene in the Midwest. We are thrilled to add someone with his resume to our team and look forward to the positive impact that he will have on our student-athletes."
Throughout his career, Thompson has coached 20 NCAA All-Americans, 28 national qualifiers, and numerous conference champions across Division II and III programs. His teams have earned USTFCCCA All-Academic honors while producing champions in events like the 100m, pole vault, and 5,000m.
At Augustana and Ashford, Thompson developed 16 All-Conference performers, coached six NCAA Division III national qualifiers, and guided his teams to a combined 32 school records and 11 indoor and outdoor conference championships. His career highlights also include coaching multiple individual SUNYAC champions, a 55m National Champion, and the school's first women's Triple Jump All-American.
"I'm excited to be a part of what Coach Dopek has built at DePaul and to join such an accomplished staff. The coaching staff, administration, and student-athletes have been very welcoming, and I'm excited to work with such a talented and motivated group."
Thompson earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from North Central College in 1999, completing a decorated track and field career as an 11-time All-American and three-time NCAA Division III National Champion.
After transferring from Monmouth College, where he earned four All-American honors, he won the 1997 indoor long jump and helped lead North Central to the 1998 NCAA Outdoor Championship with victories in the 200-meter dash and 4x100 relay, setting a school record. He also earned third in the 100 meters at the 1998 NCAA Championships and was named Outstanding Performer at the 1998 CCIW Outdoor Championships.
A 2008 North Central Hall of Fame inductee, Thompson still holds multiple school records, including the indoor 60 meters and outdoor 200 meters.
FOLLOW THE BLUE DEMONS
For all of the latest on DePaul Cross Country, Track & Field, stay tuned to DePaulBlueDemons.com and follow the team on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
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