AUTHOR/COACH & NCAA RECORD BREAKER, DR. EMMET C. (TOM) THOMPSON II, CELEBRATES WITH THE NEXT GENERATION
/Coppell, Texas, Observes Annual Tom Thompson Appreciation Day This Weekend
Jon Rawles Thompson had a surprise guest at the final game of his first Jr. high football season--Coach Ronnie Gage, his father's former coach at Austin College and a member of the Texas High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame. Pictured (L to R): Dr. Emmet C. (Tom) Thompson II, Jon Rawles Thompson, and Coach Ronnie Gage. (Tom Thompson photo)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (January 11,
2019) - On November 14, 2009, Dr. Emmet C. (Tom) Thompson II kicked his way into the record books. At 61, an age when many people are looking for the rocking chair, Thompson became the oldest football player in NCAA history and the oldest NCAA football player to score a point when he kicked the PAT (Point After Touchdown) in the second quarter of the game between Austin College and Trinity University.
Thompson's hometown of Coppell, Texas, will honor that record-breaking feat tomorrow during its annual Tom Thompson Appreciation Day on Saturday, January 12, 2019.
On the sidelines watching Thompson's celebrated kick in 2009 was Thompson's young son, Jon Rawles. The now-seventh grader began his own football career this past fall, and his proud father is excited about "passing the torch" to the next generation of Thompsons.
"I was never one to push Jon Rawles into the game of football, but he has a childlike joy in playing sports and I want him to enjoy his life," says Thompson. "I love to watch him play! He is a special blessing in my life and I am privileged to be his dad. He is carrying the Thompson torch of wanting to make whatever he's part of better."
Jon Rawles will help celebrate Tom Thompson Appreciation Day this year, and he recently joined his father to meet with Coppell, Texas, Mayor Karen Hunt to prepare for the celebration.
"I am very proud of what my Dad has accomplished, and I look forward to celebrating Tom Thompson Appreciation Day on January 12th in Coppell," says Jon Rawles. "I enjoy being part of his legacy. What a great example God has given me in my Dad!"
"I am so blessed to live here in Coppell, Texas," says Thompson. "It's a great place to raise a family. And what a privilege to share Tom Thompson Appreciation Day with my son Jon Rawles by my side!"
To learn more about Thompson and his latest book,Get a Kick Out of Life: Expect the Best of Your Body, Mind, and Soul at Any Age, visit 91kick.com.
Dr. Emmet C. (Tom) Thompson II's latest book, Get a Kick Out of Life, released on Tuesday, October 10, 2017, from Clovercroft Publishing, and is distributed to the trade by Ingram Content Group, the world's largest distributor of printed content. (Cover design by Suzanne Lawing)
About Get a Kick Out of Life:
Thompson's new book, Get a Kick Out of Life, which he co-wrote with Christopher P. Neck, Ph.D., a pioneer in the field of self leadership (Mastering Self Leadership: Empowering Yourself for Personal Excellence) and Alice Sullivan (co-author of Thompson's autobiography, Kick Start), builds on his background and reputation as an NCAA football record holder, physical fitness expert and academic researcher in the fields of motivation and change.
Thompson, who says his purpose in life is to encourage people of all ages to live healthy and fulfilled lives, to discover and reach their full potential, and to develop a deeper faith in the process, has expanded on his research to deliver Get a Kick Out of Life.
"We all set goals for ourselves every day," Thompson muses. "Wake up by 5:30. Respond to all emails in my inbox. Get the kids dressed in under 20 minutes. You might think of these as insignificant goals, but it isn't the size of the goal that matters. It's whether you consistently set achievable goals and reach them. In truth, these smaller goals can create great momentum for those larger goals on your list."
Thompson holds several advanced degrees, including his doctorate and two master's degrees, in Kinesiology, Organizational Leadership, Strategic Leadership, and Teaching. He lectures to both lay and academic groups and is the author of several books and numerous co-authored articles in peer reviewed academic journals.
With his impressive academic credentials, readers may be surprised to learn that as a young man, Thompson was a poor student and dropped out of college. A hard worker, however, he went on to two successful careers, in real estate and physical fitness. Then, at age 45, he found himself ready for a change.
Upon the advice of some wise mentors, he decided to go back to school and finish his undergraduate degree in business management. To his surprise, he found that when he applied himself with a determined attitude, he became a successful student. He ended up going to school for eight straight years while earning his advanced degrees. After falling in love with academic research, he began his new career while completing his graduate studies.
Thompson first came to national attention in 2009, when, at age 61, he kicked his way into the record books, becoming the oldest football player in NCAA history and the oldest NCAA football player to score a point when he kicked the PAT (Point After Touchdown) in the second quarter of the game between Austin College and Trinity University. Thompson had originally decided to return to Austin College as a sexagenarian to complete another year of undergraduate work so that he would be eligible to play football.
It was during this time of setting goals in each major area of his life while he was practicing with the Austin College football team, going to school, and still being involved at home as a husband and father, that Thompson had an epiphany. He realized he could not succeed in all of these areas without goals and a vision of where he wanted to go, what he wanted to achieve, and a timeline for when he would reach the mark. Thompson realized that goal setting was the key for ordinary individuals, regardless of age, circumstances, or current level of ability, to achieve greatness in all areas of life.
Divided into three sections--Body, Mind, and Soul--Get a Kick Out of Life serves as a roadmap for living intentionally, setting attainable goals, keeping your body healthy through appropriate exercise and proper diet, pursuing your purpose in life and delving deeper into relationships with your friends and family.
To learn more about Thompson and Get a Kick out of Life, visit 91kick.com or like him on Facebook at facebook.com/91kick.
Dr. Emmet C. (Tom) Thompson II first came to national attention in 2009, when, at age 61, he kicked his way into the record books, becoming the oldest football player in NCAA history and the oldest NCAA football player to score a point. (Roark Photography photo)
About Tom Thompson:
Dr. Emmet C. (Tom) Thompson II, D.S.L., M.S., M.A., entered the health and fitness industry after a 20-year career in commercial real estate. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management from LeTourneau University, a Master of Science Degree in Kinesiology from the University of North Texas, a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Organizational Leadership from Regent University, and a Doctor of Strategic Leadership Degree from Regent University, and a Master of Arts Degree in Teaching from Austin College.
A former Board of Advisors member of the American Council on Martial Arts, Thompson is an American-born Tae Kwon Do grandmaster, holding the rank of 9th degree black belt. Thompson is also the Brand Ambassador for Evil Cowboy Hot Sauce, an heirloom Texas hot sauce company.
On November 14, 2009, Dr. Emmet C. (Tom) Thompson II kicked his way into the record books. At age 61, he became the oldest football player in NCAA history and the oldest NCAA football player to score a point when he kicked the PAT (Point After Touchdown) in the second quarter of the game between Austin College and Trinity University.
Thompson wrote his name in the record books, then went on to literally write the book on motivation for older adults who are approaching their golden years, as well as anyone seeking a career change, to seize their future with both hands. Thompson detailed his remarkable accomplishments in his motivational and autobiographical book, Kick Start: A Story of Overcoming Life's Obstacles to Inspire You to Kick Start Your Future, which he co-wrote with Alice Sullivan (Carpenter's Son Publishing).
Thompson, who is an active researcher in the fields of motivation and change, has also co-authored numerous articles in peer reviewed academic journals, as well as the book Fit To Lead: The Proven 8-week Solution for Shaping Up Your Body, Your Mind, and Your Career (St. Martin's Press), which he co-authored with Christopher P. Neck and Charles C. Manz (respected pioneers in the field of self leadership, and co-authors of Mastering Self Leadership: Empowering Yourself for Personal Excellence) and Tedd L. Mitchell (Chancellor of the Texas Tech University System and President of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, former CEO of the Cooper Clinic, and former health editor for USA Weekend).
Thompson has now expanded on his research to deliver his upcoming book, Get a Kick Out of Life: Expect the Best of Your Body, Mind, and Soul at Any Age, co-written with Christopher P. Neck, (Mastering Self Leadership), along with Alice Sullivan (Kick Start). The new book released from Clovercroft Publishing on October 10, 2017 ($15.99) and is distributed to the trade by Ingram Content Group, the world's largest distributor of printed content. To learn more about Thompson and Get a Kick Out of Life, visit 91kick.com or like him on Facebook at facebook.com/91kick.
To learn more about Thompson and Get a Kick Out of Life, visit 91kick.com.
To schedule an interview, contact:
McCain & Co. Public Relations
Email: mccainprnews@mccainpr.com Twitter: @McCainPR
Facebook: facebook.com/McCain&Co.PublicRelations Phone: 615-262-1727
