sports spotlight: gerald thompson
By Mike Tupa
BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORTS REPORT
GERALD THOMPSON
He’s known by most of those around him simply as “Coach T.”
The “T” ostensibly stands for Thompson. But in this case it could mean Teacher, Therapist, Trainer of youth, Thorough, Terrific, Thoughtful.
And Trusted.
Thompson grew up in Bartlesville during the fading vestiges of institutionalized segregation.
College High School had been integrated just a decade or less when he matriculated into his freshman year but didn’t allow the recent path to cloud the vision of his future.
Perhaps something of truth in Thompson’s quest could be found in the statement by Mary Shelley that: “My dreams were all my own; I accounted for them to nobody; they were my refuge when annoyed — my dearest pleasure when free.”
After excelling as a student-athlete at Col-Hi, Thompson obtained a college degree on his way to working in education and as a coach.
Twelve years after he graduated from Col-Hi, he returned to teach and coach in Bartlesville Public Schools.
Former Bartlesville High Lady Bruin head basketball coach Carol Green tabbed Brown to be her assistant. He continued in that role with Rod Berger — helping guide the 1991-92 team to the Class 6A state final.
When Berger stepped away in the late 1990s as Lady Bruin head coach, Thompson filled the gap as the first black head varsity basketball coach in school history.
During the 2000-01 campaign, he navigated the team to a winning record (14-12) and deep playoff run.
A few years later, after handing over the reins to another coach, Thompson moved into an assistant’s role for Tim Bart for Bruin boys varsity basketball. When Bart left after 14 seasons, Thompson stayed on in the same capacity with Clent Stewart for another 10 years and is part of the staff of current head coach Tommy DeSalme.
A medical issue has limited Thompson’s participation so far this season, but has not dampened his enthusiasm for being a part of the mix.
Meanwhile, Thompson retired in 2014 from classroom teach — and 2018 accepted induction into the Bartlesville Educators Hall of Fame, with his daughters Essence and Tia looking on, as well as a longtime friend from college days and his wife that traveled all the way from Augusta, Ga., to be at the ceremony.
At that time, Thompson said he wanted his legacy to be: “that I cared about my students. I challenged my students, even in middle school. I think that’s another layer where it impacted their lives.”
Listed above is the chronological journey of Thompson. But those things don’t reflect Thompson’s infectious and sincere gracious smile, his devotion and help to family and friends, his courtesy, his optimism and humor and his willingness to help out quietly.
He’s a prototypical example of a man of service who deserves the reference of a hometown hero.
Gerald Thompson