Emporia State University Athletics

After coming to ESU?as a freshman in 1951, Thompson had his career interrupted by two years of military service.  While in the army, he won the 100m and 200m dashes at the 1952 European Army Championships and won the 200m at the CISM?track meet attended by all NATO?countries.  He returned to ESU?and won the 1954 national championship in the 440 yard dash and ended his career as a three-time All-American.