Roy Spaceman Thompson honored by the NSSF

Roy Spaceman Thompson honored by the NSSF by Joe Daniels Carolina Peacemaker Originally posted 6/23/2011 Former North Carolina A&T State University track coach Roy Spaceman Thompson was honored during Saturdays Opening Ceremony of the National Scholastic Sports Foundation New Balance Nationals Outdoor 2011 Track and Field Championship. Thompson was honored for promoting track and field in North Carolina for five decades and for the solid contribution he made to North Carolina A&T Athletics. As an athlete, Thompson earned the nickname Spaceman for his phenomenal jumps that would send him soaring as if he were floating in space. As a coach, he has been a mentor and father figure to scores of Aggie athletes. Thompson, a three-time All-CIAA jumper, came to N.C. A&T in 1965. He competed in the triple jump, long jump and 400-yard relay.



As a collegiate, Thompson placed first in the triple and long jumps at the Atlantic Coast Regional Track and Field Meet in 1966. Two years later, he placed first in the broad jump at the AAU Track and Field Meet. During the same season, he broke the North Carolina Intercollegiate Track and Field Championship meet record with a long jump of 23-feet. He has reached legendary status with four MEAC Championships. He has coached 10 All-Americans, 15 national qualifiers and 112 individual MEAC Champions. Two of his former athletes Ruth Morris (1988) and Troy Douglass (1992) competed in the Olympic Games.

Also honored at the opening ceremony was Anthony Bryant, from Marylands DeMatha Catholic. He was selected the high school track coach of the year.