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For three consecutive years (2005-07), Thompson's team was recognized as the `large' (20 or more participants) team with the most improved grade point average at BGSU. Last season, the team increased their overall GPA from 2.70 to 2.79.
The 2007 season included a variety of achievements. Thompson led his team to their most impressive overall start since the 2003 season with a tie against FIU and a win against FAU. Thompson's prior opening weekends have included at least one loss. The Falcon's 1-0-1 record was the finest road start for the Falcons since 1995. That 2007 squad would go on to finish with a 6-10-3 record before concluding their season with a loss in the MAC Tournament's opening round - the match versus Northern Illinois was the first MAC Tournament game hosted by the Falcons since Thompson became coach. After struggling through his first season with the Orange and Brown the team progressively earned more overall wins and wins in the MAC. Under his direction, BGSU picked-up their longest winning streak in 2007 by winning the final three games. In these games, they outscored their opponents 9-3. Additionally, 2007 marked the first time under Thompson and since 2003 that the Falcons had posted a multiple shutout season with four. In 2007, White, with the assistance of goalkeeper coach Ken White, guided Paul Shoemaker, then just a junior, to one of his best seasons in goal. Shoemaker had 37 saves in the span of nine games, three shutouts and brought a 1.26 GAA to the defense. He was rewarded by the Mid-American Conference as the Player of the Week on Sept. 17, becoming the first BGSU goal keeper to have his performance recognized by the MAC since David DeGraff in 2003.
On an individual basis, Thompson saw two academic All-MAC selections (Jacob Lawrence and Hunter Van Houten) as well as three All-MAC selections (Hepple, Sandy and McLean). Further recognition came as Van Houten picked-up a pair of MAC Scholar-Athlete of the Week awards as well as a POW mention; Sandy also was recognized as an All-Ohio selection. During the 2006 season, Thompson led his team to their first MAC Tournament win since the 2003 season. On Oct. 2, the Falcons marked their 13th time in program history to hold their opponent scoreless in their first competitive match of the season. The Falcons also hosted and defeated Ohio State on the road. OSU was recognized as No. 11 on the national Top 25 rankings by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America at that time. The 2006 season saw two players earn All-MAC Tournament team membership (Van Houten and Kyle McNayr). Hunter. Two were placed on the MAC All-Academic team (Kyle McNayr and Ryan Perea) as well. Thompson came to Bowling Green after serving two seasons as assistant coach at the University of Evansville (2002-03) of the Missouri Valley Conference. Prior to his stint at Evansville, Thompson served as head coach at Bellevue (Wash.) Community College in 2000 and 2001, producing a 28-8-6 record and a league title. He was also named the 2001 NWAACC Coach of the Year. Additionally, he holds a USSF "A" coaching license and has served on the Washington State ODP staff as well as the Region II ODP staff. Before his coaching career, Thompson played four years with the Patriots of George Mason University, where he earned a degree in finance. During his career, GMU reached national top-20 status in three of the four years. Thompson ended his GMU career with 98 points, including 40 goals. He ranks fourth in points and fifth in goals in Mason's record books. Thompson was a two-time All-South Atlantic Region honoree, earning All-ECAC South honors his junior year and also being named to the All-CAA squad in 1985. Thompson is tied for 20th on the all-time career point list for those players of Virginia Universities. He is also tied for 11th on the career goals leader board. His 1982 Patriots posted a 19-2-0 record; with the .905 winning percentage the third best in a season in state history. Thompson was among those honored as the first class inducted in to the George Mason University Soccer Hall of Fame in May of 2006. George Mason further honored Thompson and the first class, as the end of the season team awards will forever be named after each one of the inductees; the 2005 season marked the first year for the Fred Thompson Most Valuable Player Award. Upon graduation, Thompson played professionally for eight years as a defender for the Baltimore Blast of the MISL, Tacoma Stars of the MSL, and Sacramento Knights of the CISL. Thompson was the starting sweeper for the Jamaica National Team from 1988-90. Thompson, a native of Jamaica, grew up in Mississauga, Ontario. He is a 1987 graduate of GMU. Thompson and his wife, Jill, reside in Bowling Green. |
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