"He Loved His Swimmers and he Loved Duke" Bob Thompson 1943-2009Durham, NC , January 26th, 2009
Former Duke swimming and diving coach Bob Thompson passed away on Sunday. He was 66. "The entire Duke community mourns the loss of Coach Thompson today," said Duke Vice President and Director of Athletics Kevin White. "I didn't have the honor of knowing Coach Thompson very well, but I've quickly realized the tremendous impact he had on Duke University, the Duke athletic department and a countless number of student-athletes. He will be missed.""I had the pleasure of working with Coach Thompson for 28 years but he was not just an employee, he was my friend," said former Duke Director of Athletics Joe Alleva. "He was tough, fair, and dedicated. He loved his swimmers and he loved Duke. All of us that knew him realize what a loss this is -- I will miss him.
"Thompson served as the head swimming and diving coach at Duke for 27 years before retiring in May of 2005. Following his retirement from coaching, Thompson remained with the school as a member of the Health and Physical Education Department's staff.While with the Blue Devils, Thompson coached two All-Americas, two ACC Champions (a total of six individual titles), four All-ACC honorees, and one ACC Swimmer of the Year. He also coached two-time All-America selection Nancy Hogshead, who earned three gold medals and one silver at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.In 2003-04, he led a women’s squad that broke 14 school records en route to producing Duke’s first ACC Champion and NCAA Championship participant since 1981 in Katie Ness.
"I was saddened to get the news on our return from Virginia," said Dan Colella, current head swimming and diving coach at Duke. "I cannot tell you how many times over the last three years I have heard stories from alumni about how much of a mentor Bob was, or how much he cared for them. It was evident from the moment I arrived that the team I inherited and the teams of the last three decades had an incredible bond. As anyone in the sport knows, to create such an environment is a special gift.
He not only produced quality athletes, but more importantly will be fondly remembered for how much of an impact he made on their lives."Bob was one of the original coaches at Duke when I came here," said Duke head men's basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski. "I was fortunate to become very good friends with him. I was always amazed at what he was able to accomplish in the Duke swimming & diving program without having scholarships. He was the ultimate team player -- whatever we needed from Bob or his program, he made it happen. Bob loved this University, and the University loved him. We will miss him.
"Thompson came to Duke in 1978 from the U.S. Naval Academy where he was an assistant coach for five years (1973-78) and the head plebe coach for three years (1975-78). At Navy, Thompson also was the head coach for the Navy juniors program.A native of New Kensington, Pa., Thompson swam competitively for Springfield College in Springfield, Mass. After his graduation in 1970, Thompson coached the New Kensington YMCA for four years and the New Kensington High School team for three seasons. Thompson is survived by his two daughters, Jill and Tracie.
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