Hiram College

Frederick “Fred” R. Thompson was a multi-sport athlete while attending Hiram, but was probably best known for his career on the track. He earned a combined 10 varsity letters in three sports (track, football and swimming).

As a track runner (1961-65), Thompson was a four-year member of the team and earned a varsity letter each year. He competed primarily in the 880-yard run and occasionally in the mile relay. During the 1963 season, Thompson tied the school record in the 880-yard run (1:58.8) and then broke the mark later in the season with a time of 1:58.7. He placed fifth in the Ohio Athletic Conference Track and Field Championships that same year. In addition, Thompson served as captain of the outdoor track team as a senior (1965).

In football, he earned three varsity letters (1962-64) playing on special teams and on the offensive line. As a swimmer, he specialized in the backstroke, butterfly and freestyle events while lettering three times (1961-64). Thompson also competed in select relay events.

Outside of being an athlete, he was also heavily involved in several on-campus clubs, including being a member of the Phi Gamma Epsilon, H-Club and was a member of the Kappa Alpha Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi education honor society.

Following graduation in 1965, Thompson spent 15 years as a teacher in the Canton City School District. He went on to earn a Master’s degree in elementary administration from The University of Akron in 1972. Thompson later became the elementary principal in Canton City Schools in 1980 and retired from the position in 1995. He became a member of the Canton City Board of Education in 2000 and was elected Board President in 2006 until 2009. In addition to teaching, Thompson remained involved in athletics within the Canton School District coaching girls track at both the middle school and high school levels. He began the first girls and boys cross-country programs in 1999 and spent a combined 26 years volunteering as coach in Canton City Schools.