HBCU Community Mourns Loss of Coach John Thompson
|
Posted By: Roger Gates on September 01, 2020 I remember as a high school kid watching the Georgetown Hoyas play with their tall and proud African American coach. And then... All of the players on the floor and on the bench were black. I wondered to myself, is this what a black college looks like? Is Georgetown a Black college or HBCU? I later found out of course that Georgetown was not an HBCU, but that left me even more impressed that the tall proud black male figure walking the floor directing his team of all black athletes, was a black man coaching at a non-black school, not afraid to have an all black team. As a young black male, that played a little basketball in High School, I looked up to coach John Thompson, without even really knowing him. Unfortunately the proud giant of a man as just passed away. You will be missed, but more importantly, you will be remembered in a positive light. John Thompson was one of the most influential coaches in college basketball history. Whether it was becoming the first Black coach to win an NCAA Division I basketball championship, sticking up for his players amid constant backlash, or boldly speaking out when few others did, he embodied what it truly meant to stand up for what you believe in. Thompson, 78, who won 596 games at Georgetown, including the 1984 NCAA championship, and made three Final Four appearances, has died, his family announced. Patrick Ewing, Allen Iverson, Alonzo Mourning, Dikembe Mutombo and Eric ’Sleepy’ Floyd are some of the most memorable Hoyas who played under Thompson. Iverson said in his Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame speech that Thompson saved his life at Georgetown. Many of the top schools in the country backed off Iverson after his off-court troubles, but his mother pleaded to Thompson to give her son a chance. Thanks For Saving My Life Coach. I’m going to miss you, but I’m sure that you are looking down on us with a big smile. I would give anything just for one more phone call from you only to hear you say, “Hey MF”, then we would talk about everything except basketball....... pic.twitter.com/03yj4gZv5q — Allen Iverson (@alleniverson) August 31, 2020 If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
 |
Roger Gates
Founder & CEO, Motivo Spec Hampton University class of 1995 Member Since June 1999 |
Comments
More From This Author
Latest HBCU Sports
 |
North Carolina A&T University Alumnus Shines in NFL Debut Games for the 2026 Season!🏈 **FROM THE HBCU TO MAKING NOISE IN THE NFL!** Keep an eye on Bhayshul Tuten of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Before finishing his college career at Virginia Tech, Tuten spent two seasons at Nort ...more
Cata Rizzle • 353 Views • September 22nd, 2026 |
 |
Coppin State Takes Down UConn as Defense and Serving Power Four-Set VictorySTORRS, Conn., Sept. 19, 2026 — Coppin State dropped the opening set, then took control on UConn’s home court Friday night, defeating the Huskies 3–1 behind a defensive performance that repeatedly dis ...more
Randi Payton • 270 Views • September 19th, 2026 |
Popular HBCU Sports
 |
Sources: Deion Sanders Finalizing Deal to Become Head Coach of HBCU - Jackson State University!Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders is finalizing a deal with Jackson State University to become the school's next head coach, according to Sports Illustrated's Ross Dellenger. ...more
Roger Gates • 87,576 Views • September 18th, 2020 |
 |
HBCU North Carolina Central Now The Favorite to Land Lebron James Jr. Son of Superstar Lebron JamesDuke has long been considered a favorite to land LeBron James Jr., son of the Los Angeles Lakers superstar and living NBA legend. In the wake of today’s monumental Makur Maker news, oddsmakers think t ...more
Roger Gates • 86,237 Views • July 20th, 2020 |
 |
Coach Deion Sanders & Jackson State Make Offer to Top High School Football Prospect and LSU Commit, Khamauri Rogers!Holmes County football coach Marcus Rogers had one main statement to make when his son Khamauri Rogers, the top junior in Mississippi, received an offer from Jackson State on Sept. 23.
"I don't kno ...more
Roger Gates • 70,670 Views • October 5th, 2020 |
 |
Deion Sanders Announces His Coaching Staff @ HBCU, Jackson State University!JACKSON, Miss. – Jackson State head football Deion Sanders is excited to announce his inaugural coaching staff. The staff includes a unique blend of coaches at the NFL, intercollegiate, and prep level ...more
Roger Gates • 61,155 Views • December 7th, 2020 |
