Condolences Notice: UDC Alumnus – Coach John Thompson, Jr.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 31, 2020
Contact: Paul Holston, Communications Specialist
202.274.6836 (office) or paul.holston@udc.edu
Condolences Notice:
University of the District of Columbia Alumnus – Coach John Thompson, Jr.
Click here to download press release
WASHINGTON— One of the University of the District of Columbia’s most famous graduates, the legendary former college basketball coach John Thompson, Jr., has passed away on Monday, August 31, at the age of 78. Thompson earned his Master’s Degree in Counseling and Guidance at UDC and was taught by Dr. Anita Hughes, whom he expressed was “one of many who had a major influence in his life.” He also served as an employee at UDC’s Center for 4-H and Youth Development.
According to ESPN, Thompson, who led Georgetown to the 1984 national championship, built the program into a juggernaut, taking the Georgetown Hoyas to three Final Fours in the 1980s while also winning seven Big East titles and leading the 1988 United States national team to a bronze medal in the Olympics. Thompson was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999 and became the first Black head coach to win a NCAA men’s basketball championship in 1984.
The UDC community sends its deepest condolences to Mr. Thompson’s family during this time. The impact he has made during his lifetime will be profoundly remembered.
WATCH: Firebird Nation Sports Update, 12/15/15 – Host Patricia Thomas interviews legendary former college basketball coach John Thompson, Jr. and discusses his little-known connection to the University of the District of Columbia while co-host Eric Zedalis gives a rundown of all the winter sports action.
https://www.udcfirebirds.com/video/Firebird_Nation_Sports_Update-_12-15-15
Ronald Mason, Jr.
President, University of the District of Columbia
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The University of the District of Columbia (www.udc.edu) supports a broad mission of education, research and community service across its colleges and schools: The College of Arts and Sciences; the College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences; the School of Business and Public Administration; School of Engineering and Applied Sciences; the Community College; and the David A. Clarke School of Law. The University has been designated as an 1862 federal land-grant institution and a Historically Black College and University. The University of the District of Columbia is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.