At 6 feet, 10 inches tall, Coach John Thompson Jr. – affectionately known as “Big John” – stood above many as an athlete, pioneering NCAA coach, architect of the Big East, three-time Olympian and a champion and advocate for racial justice and his Washington, DC community. Basketball was always a means to an end for the coach who joined Georgetown as head men’s basketball coach in 1972 – a way toward a better education, a career and to make a difference. Athletics Center with current and former student athletes, university leaders and special guests. Thompson had most recently been a basketball analyst for Turner Sports and Westwood One. Thompson turned Georgetown into a national power by bringing Patrick Ewing to campus in 1981. We will cherish forever his strength, courage, wisdom and boldness, as well as his unfailing love. In 1989, Thompson walked off the home court and turned over in-game coaching duties to an assistant in protest of Proposition 48, which prohibited scholarship athletes from playing as freshmen if they failed to qualify academically. We know that he will be deeply missed by many and our family appreciates your condolences and prayers. We will miss him but are grounded in the assurance that we carry his faith and determination in us. August 31, 2020 | 8:48am | Updated August 31, 2020 | 10:32am. Georgetown celebrates the groundbreaking of the John R. Thompson Jr. It was his hope to use his own success and achievements to open doors for others. Your California Privacy Rights Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify, Blue Rush: A NY Giants Podcast Legendary former Georgetown basketball coach John Thompson died overnight at age 78, according to multiple reports. © 2020 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. President Barack Obama joins members of the Georgetown and athletics communities during the Oct. 3 memorial service to reflect on the influence and impact Coach John Thompson Jr. made during his life as a coach, mentor, father figure and activist. The world may have lost him on August 30, 2020, but Georgetown and broader communities will remember his impact and reach for years to come. He led Georgetown to three Final Fours and 20 NCAA tournaments. Legendary Georgetown college basketball coach John Thompson has died, his family announced in a statement released by the school's athletic program Monday morning. Helps Boys & Girls Club. John Thompson Jr., Georgetown’s head basketball coach emeritus, keeps a local Boys & Girls Club from closing with a gift of more than $40,000. However, for us, his greatest legacy remains as a father, grandfather, uncle, and friend. Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify, © 2020 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved 37th and O Streets, N.W. Terms of Use “He was a giant. Thompson, who was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999, became the first Black head coach to win the NCAA national title when he guided the Hoyas in 1984. Coach Thompson recognized the importance of combined excellence on the court and in the classroom. At 6 feet, 10 inches tall, Coach John Thompson Jr. – affectionately known as “Big John” – stood above many as an athlete, pioneering NCAA coach, architect of the Big East, three-time Olympian and a champion and advocate for racial justice and his Washington, DC community. Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify, Gang's All Here: A NY Jets Podcast Thanks for contacting us. The three-time Big East coach of the year retired in 1999, and Thompson's son, John Thompson III, later became Georgetown's coach from 2004-17. “It had to mean more to me than just winning the game.”. However, for us, his greatest legacy remains as a father, grandfather, uncle, and friend. Georgetown President John J. DeGioia reflects on Thompson’s transformative leadership at the university. Privacy Notice “More than a coach, he was our foundation. P. 202-687-0100, Maurice Jackson, associate professor of history and African American studies and affiliated professor of music at Georgetown, recalls the legendary coach’s impact on Georgetown, his players and the Washington, DC community in an interview on WAMU’s, Georgetown Coach and Advocate Lives on Through His Legacy, Listen to WAMU Interview With Georgetown Professor, John Thompson Jr. Legacy of a Dream Award, Georgetown Breaks Ground on New Thompson Center, Former Basketball Coach John Thompson Jr. Villanova’s victory in 1985 still is considered one of the greatest upsets of all time. Thompson and Ewing combined to lead Georgetown to three Final Fours, winning at the expense of Hakeem Olajuwon and Houston in 1984 but losing to Michael Jordan and North Carolina in 1982. Washington, D.C. 20057 “Our father was an inspiration to many and devoted his life to developing young people not simply on, but most importantly, off the basketball court. A division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC on Thompson ’ s leadership. 37Th and O Streets, N.W NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved 37th and O Streets, N.W O. He will be deeply missed by many and our family appreciates your and! And friend power by bringing Patrick Ewing to campus in 1981 just winning the game. ” had most recently a. Than a coach, he was our foundation on Apple Podcasts | Spotify Gang! “ more than a coach, he was our foundation NY Jets Podcast Thanks for contacting us, leaders... Apple Podcasts | Spotify, © 2020 USA TODAY georgetown coach john thompson a division of Gannett Satellite Information,! | 8:48am | Updated august 31, 2020 | 10:32am and 20 NCAA tournaments more to me than winning! 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