COPPELL, TEXAS, CELEBRATES NCAA RECORD HOLDER ON ANNUAL TOM THOMPSON APPRECIATION DAY TODAY, JANUARY 12, 2022
/NCAA Record Holder, Author, Motivational Speaker, Respected Fitness Researcher, and Tae Kwon Do Grandmaster Dr. Emmet C. (Tom) Thompson II, Recognized for Amazing Achievements in College Football
NCAA record holder, author, motivational speaker, respected researcher, and Tae Kwon Do grandmaster Dr. Emmet C. (Tom) Thompson II is honored today, Wednesday, January 12, 2022, by the North Texas town of Coppell during its annual Tom Thompson Appreciation Day. (photo by David Edmonson)
COPPELL, Texas. (January 12, 2022) - NCAA record holder, author, motivational speaker, respected researcher, and Tae Kwon Do grandmaster Dr. Emmet C. (Tom) Thompson II is honored each year on this day by the North Texas town of Coppell.
A thriving community of 41,000 residents, Thompson's hometown holds its annual Tom Thompson Appreciation Day in remembrance of his amazing achievements in college football.
On November 14, 2009, Dr. Thompson became the oldest football player in NCAA history and the oldest NCAA football player to score a point. At 61, Thompson kicked his way into the record books by scoring the PAT (Point After Touchdown) in the second quarter of the game between Austin College and Trinity University. Austin College Kangaroos head coach Ronnie Gage stood on the sidelines and watched the football sail between the uprights.
That kick made history and put tiny Austin College on the sports media map, thrusting both Dr. Thompson and his coach, Texas football legend, Coach Ronnie Gage, into the national media spotlight, with coverage by outlets including CBS and NBC News and Sports, ABC and Fox News, ESPN, Associated Press, CNN, MSNBC, Sports Illustrated, and more.
"If my story says anything, it is that it is never too late to re-imagine what you want your life to be,” says Dr. Thompson, a respected researcher in the fields of motivation and change, who wondered one day at the age of 59 if he might still be elligible to play college football.
And the rest is history...
On this year's Tom Thompson Appreciation Day, Dr. Thompson, an American-born Tae Kwon Do grandmaster, is not only commemorating his record-breaking NCAA victory, but also marking his recent promotion to 10th-degree black belt, an achievement few Tae Kwon Do practioners ever reach.
Dr. Thompson's past martial arts achievements include founding the martial arts program at the famed Cooper Aerobics Center in Dallas, Texas, sitting on the Board of Advisors of the American Council on Martial Arts, and founding his own style of Tae Kwon Do, called KI Il Do Kwan.
“It’s truly an honor to be recognized by my peers in the martial arts," says Dr. Thompson.
To learn more about Dr. Thompson and his latest book, The Life Coach, which he co-authored with Texas football coaching legend Ronnie Gage and Alice Sullivan, visit 91kick.com, or like on Facebook (facebook.com/91kick or facebook.com/coachronniegage), Instagram (instagram.com/91kick), or Twitter (@91kick or @RonnieRgage).
About Tom Thompson:
NCAA record holder, author, motivational speaker, and respected researcher, Dr. Emmet C. (Tom) Thompson II offers a wealth of insight to leaders and managers in his latest book, The Life Coach, cowritten with legendary Texas football coach Ronnie Gage and Alice Sullivan. (Roark Photography photo)
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, 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, Dr. Thompson is an American-born Tae Kwon Do grandmaster, holding the rank of 10th degree black belt. Dr. 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.
Dr. 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.
Dr. 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), and 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).
Dr. 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, former CEO of the Cooper Clinic, and former health editor for USA Weekend).
Dr. Thompson’s latest book is The Life Coach, which he co-authored with Texas football coaching legend Ronnie Gage and Alice Sullivan. The book released from Clovercroft Publishing on October 1, 2019 ($12.99) and is distributed to the trade by Ingram Content Group, the world's largest distributor of printed content.
About Coach Ronnie Gage:
One of the winningest high school football coaches in the state of Texas, Ronnie Gage offers a wealth of insight to leaders and managers in his debut book, The Life Coach. (Sloan Photography)
A Texas football legend, Ronnie Gage coached football in Texas for 42 years before retiring, compiling one of the most enviable winning records in state history. His accolades include 3 high school championship rings--two as a coach and one as an athletic director. He was the first coach in Texas to win a championship at the 5-A level in both division 1 and division 2. He was inducted into the Texas High School Coaches Association's Hall of Honor. He served as president of the Texas High School Coaches Association, an organization of over 18,000 members. He served on the board of directors and was selected to serve on the advisory board of the THSCA.
In 2004, Ronnie was chosen Citizen of The Year for Lewisville, TX. He was voted District Coach of the Year seven times, Texas Sportswriters Coach of the Year two times, and Dallas All Sports Association Coach of the Year two times. He had his 1996 team recognized on a Cheerios Box and was chosen by Fox Sports as the Coach Who Makes a Difference in 1999. Recently, in his hometown of Decatur, TX, he was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame.
Coach Gage coached the Austin College football team from 2006 to 2009 and coached the 61-year-old placekicker Tom Thompson, who set an NCAA record.
Over 40 players who have played for him are in the coaching profession today, including his son James and daughter Julianne, who are both teaching/coaching. He has been married to his high school sweetheart Stephanie for 42 years.
Ronnie Gage offers a wealth of insight to coaches, teachers, family members, or any professionals who aspire to be in a leadership role in the new book, the inspirational and motivational memoir, The Life Coach, which offers readers sound life and leadership principles based on the individual effort and team-first mentality required for a successful football season—and a successful life.
Co-written with author, professor, researcher, motivational speaker, coach and NCAA record holder, Dr. Emmet C. (Tom) Thompson II, and Alice Sullivan, the new book released from Clovercroft Publishing on October 1, 2019, and is distributed to the trade by Ingram Content Group, the world's largest distributor of printed content.
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