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Pat Thompson '75, MS '88, Elmira College's Vice President of Athletics, to Retire at the end of 2018 After 43 Years

Elmira, NY (08/23/2018) — After spending her entire 43-year professional career as part of the Elmira College administration, including the past 34 years at the helm of the Department of Athletics, EC alumna and Vice President of Athletics, Pat Thompson '75, MS '88, has announced that she will retire from the College at the end of 2018.

"Forty-three years, from my perspective, doesn't seem that long at all when you love what you do and have the privilege of working with so many outstanding student-athletes, coaches, alumni and other colleagues - it has been a remarkable journey," Thompson said. "I am grateful Elmira College afforded me the opportunity to grow professionally and I appreciate the administrations and great athletic staffs who I worked with over the years in shaping a program that is now ready for its next chapter."

Thompson remained at her alma mater as the College's Director of Camps and Clinics after graduating in 1975. She was soon promoted to Director of Sports Information, then to Assistant Director of Athletics, and finally to Athletic Director in 1984. In 2000, Thompson was elevated to her current role as Vice President of Athletics. She also coached EC's cheerleading team for 23 seasons, winning a national championship in 2000 and developing the program to the prominence that it still experiences today.
Under her leadership, Thompson has guided Elmira athletics through significant growth and a multitude of achievements. During her tenure, the College added 10 new varsity sports, including baseball, field hockey, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's lacrosse, men's volleyball, women's golf, women's ice hockey, and women's soccer. As a result, in July 2005 the Chronicle of Higher Education identified Elmira College in the Top 3 Division III colleges "demonstrating a history and continuing practice of expanding women's sports programs."

Thompson was instrumental in securing Elmira's affiliation with the Empire 8 Athletic Conference. In 2012, she served a two-year term as the Empire 8's First Vice President, after fulfilling the role of Second Vice President. She also aligned Elmira with the United Volleyball Conference (UVC) in 2011, and most recently, she was a driving force behind the formation of the United College Hockey Conference (UCHC). Thompson was elected the first Vice President of the UCHC and served as chair of the Athletic Directors' Committee.

In addition to multiple accolades by teams and student-athletes at the conference level, highlighted by academic success in the classroom, Thompson also brought the Soaring Eagles to prominence with a combined five national titles in cheerleading (2000, 2007) and women's ice hockey (2002, 2003, 2013).

During her tenure, Thompson spearheaded several facility upgrades on the Elmira campus and neighboring Murray Athletic Center in Horseheads, New York. In 1996 she was a key member in the renovation of Emerson Hall, which houses athletic staff member offices, as well as the College's weight room, cardio room, four-lane pool, locker rooms, and Speidel Gymnasium, the home of EC basketball and volleyball. Thompson also oversaw the construction and upgrades to home and visiting ice hockey locker rooms at the Murray Athletic Center. Most recently, she backed the efforts to install a digital video scoreboard on Campus Field.

Beyond College successes, Thompson individually made her mark on the world of college athletics and the Elmira community. She was a pioneer in the world of college athletics as one of the first women to sit on the top NCAA governing body, the NCAA Council, as women's athletics transitioned to NCAA governance. Additionally, she has served on a variety of NCAA committees, such as Women's Interests, Promotions, Governmental Affairs and Public Relations, and the Division III Steering Committee. She was also active with the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC), holding leadership roles on the Executive Council, Katherine Ley Award Committee, Robbins Scholar-Athlete Committee, and ECAC West Ice Hockey Committee, and she formerly presided over the Eastern College Hockey Association. The ECAC recognized Thompson as its Female Administrator of the Year in 1999 as a result of her outstanding service to the conference. Through the introduction of the graduate assistant program at EC, Thompson has helped numerous coaches and administrators jump-start their careers in collegiate athletics, while her fundraising initiatives have helped support and expand local community service programs and camps for area youth.

Thompson's efforts have been recognized by the Elmira College community with a multitude of honors. The EC Student Association named her the College's Administrator of the Year in 1992, and three years later, was the recipient of the Douglas Anderson Award for Administrative Excellence. She was bestowed with the Paul Brand Athletics Staff Award on two occasions in 1983 and 1996. Thompson was also honored with the title of Dean in 1994 and later inducted into the Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society.

Also active in the greater Elmira community, Thompson recently served on the Board of Directors of St. Joseph's Hospital and the board of the Community Foundation for the Twin Tiers. In 1997, she was honored as the Chemung County Chamber of Commerce ATHENA® Leadership Award recipient. This national award recognizes exceptional individuals who demonstrate support of professional women, and who provide valuable service to his or her profession; she currently serves on the ATHENA® Selection Committee. Thompson also volunteers her time with the Junior League of Greater Elmira-Corning.

"Pat's incredible dedication and loyalty to the College - as an alumna and employee - has never wavered over the past 43 years," said Dr. Charles Lindsay, president of Elmira College. "She has created a lasting legacy, not only at Elmira College, but on collegiate athletics nationally, and we cannot thank her enough."

A national search will be conducted for a new director of athletics in the coming months.

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After spending her entire 43-year professional career as part of the Elmira College administration, including the past 34 years at the helm of the Department of Athletics, EC alumna and Vice President of Athletics, Pat Thompson '75, MS '88, has announced that she will retire from the College at the end of 2018.

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