Robert “Tommy” Thompson

High School: Biglerville H.S.
High School Coach: John “Jack” Emanuel
LHU Coach: Hub Jack, Offensive Line Coach was Fran Cornelius

Tommy Thompson, a two-sport athlete at Lock Haven, is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the year he last suited up for the Bald Eagles in the fall of 1967. He came to LHU by way of Biglerville High School, PA, where he played fullback and linebacker for coach John “Jack” Emanuel. Tommy quickly learned that his days in the offensive backfield were numbered at the ‘Haven, when he heard one of Head Coach Hub Jack’s favorite quips, “High School fullbacks make great college guards!” Tommy made the transition and developed into one of the greatest to wear a Lock Haven uniform. He became a 3-year starter and letterman at the position and was named 1st Team offensive guard in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. He was further honored his senior year when he was named to the Associated Press Pennsylvania All-State College Football Team, which was an all-star team named each year during the 1950’s and 1960’s that included the best players from all colleges in the state of PA, regardless of their size or classification. Tommy Thompson was named to the team that was dominated by players from Penn State, Pitt, and Temple, and was named ahead of Penn State guard Dave Bradley. Tommy was also a member of the track and field team for 4 years at Lock Haven, participating in the throwing events.

After graduating from Lock Haven, Tommy began a lengthy career as an unselfish lifetime assistant coach. He began his career at Littlestown High School for one year, teaching Health and Physical Education and coaching football and wrestling. He then moved to Selinsgrove High School where he coached a wide variety of sports throughout his career. He coached football, wrestling, track & field, softball and cross country for a total of sixty seasons over forty-four years. He was known as one of the greatest “technicians” of coaching any sport at Selinsgrove, as he constantly analyzed and coached technique throughout the years. Tommy was involved in coaching scores of championship teams and individuals such as Dave Becker, a state champion high school wrestler who went on to become an all-American wrestler at Penn State, Marlin VanHorn, state runner-up heavyweight wrestler and state champion javelin thrower who went on to become an All-American defensive lineman at the University of Maryland, and Chasity Payne, a state champion shot putter.

Trivia question: Who is the only Bald Eagle football player (at the banquet) who tried to block NFL Hall of Fame lineman Art Schell of the Oakland Raiders? That would be Tommy Thompson, when Lock Haven took on the Maryland State College Hawks in the fall of 1967!