SPORTS ILLUSTRATED MAGAZINE HIGHLIGHTS NCAA RECORD HOLDER TOM THOMPSON IN FEATURE STORY ABOUT COLLEGE FOOTBALL’S OLDEST PLAYERS
/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 in This Week's Sports Illustrated Online Magazine Feature
NCAA record holder, author, football coach, motivational speaker, respected researcher, and black belt Tae Kwon Do grandmaster Dr. Emmet C. (Tom) Thompson II is highlighted in the current issue of Sports Illustrated magazine in a feature article about the oldest college football players in history. (photo by David Edmonson)
COPPELL, Texas. (May 13, 2022) - NCAA record holder, author, football coach, motivational speaker, respected researcher, and 10th degree black belt Tae Kwon Do grandmaster Dr. Emmet C. (Tom) Thompson II is adding one more accolade to his already impressive list of accomplishments.
Thompson is prominently featured in this week's online edition of Sports Illustrated magazine in the venerated publication's new article about the oldest college football players in history.
Thompson was interviewed about his road to the NCAA, his experience playing with teammates, most of whom were 40 years his junior, and breaking two NCAA records on the field.
"It was a pleasure to be interviewed by Lia Assimakopoulos of Sports Illustrated,” Thompson says of the experience. It was a time in my life I will never forget. It was incredibly hard work, but worth every ounce of effort."
To read the full Sports Illustrated story, click here or read the excerpt about Tom Thompson in the section below.
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 eligible to play college football.
And the rest is history...
In addition to his college football exploits, Dr. Thompson's past sports 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. Thompson also recently earned the distinction of being promoted to 10th-degree black belt, an achievement few Tae Kwon Do practitioners ever attain.
To read the full Sports Illustrated story, click here.
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).
Excerpts from this week's Sports Illustrated online article include the following:
Since 2004, at least 14 players across the NCAA have played above the age of 30...Some of them just barely crossed that 30-year mark—others [like Thompson, who played at age 60 through 61] more than doubled it.
Tom Thompson may have jumped over more eligibility hurdles than anyone. The oldest player in NCAA history, he kicked for Austin College in 2009 at 61. Thompson had received his doctorate in strategic leadership from Regent University in ’02 but had never played college football and was eager to do so.
"My circumstances were so convoluted that I was able to demonstrate to the NCAA that I was able to continue [getting an education], so I ended up with a year [of eligibility]," [Thompson] says.
[Thompson] enrolled in an undergraduate program and took classes like psychology and history to start. However, Austin College had only one graduate program, which was teaching, so he had to pursue that track to continually show progress and be able to play.
"It was a dynamic where they’re learning something from me, and I’m learning something from them," [says Thompson].
Thompson, who was 40 years older than his next oldest teammate [sic]...says, “The age just melted away. I wasn’t an oddity to them,” he says. “They were very protective, much like you’d imagine they’d be watching their grandfather play football.”
[Thompson's] teammates even wanted him to have an authentic college experience, often inviting him to their fraternity parties, he remembers.
"I went to one, and I took my wife," he says. "It was fun for them because I was sort of a celebrity on campus."
For many, being on a college football roster was a dream come true in itself. Few worked their way into the rotation for multiple years... Most saw the field no more than once or twice.
But when that moment came, it reminded them why they were there in the first place.
For Thompson, his opportunity arrived in the final game of his career against Austin College’s archrival, Trinity University. He compared their rivalry to that of Michigan and Ohio State’s. Early in the second quarter, Austin College had the chance to tie the game at seven after finding the end zone on a 47-yard rush, and Thompson got the nod. He took the field, and just like he had practiced thousands of times before, nailed it through the uprights. As much as making that kick meant to him, his teammates’ reaction meant even more.
"I don't know if I was happier when the kick was good or if they were," [Thompson] says. "You’d have thought we won the Super Bowl."
Multiple players went on to write books about their experiences [including Thompson, who shared his memories in his motivational and autobiographical book, Kick Start]. Most have stepped away from football altogether, but for some, like Thompson, those few months on the team led to a new calling.
"We were having our exit interviews, and my coach said, ‘Would you consider staying and being our kicking coach?'" Thompson says. "I looked at him like a dog that couldn’t hear well. He said, ‘No, really. These kids, they look up to you, and they respond to you really well. And nobody knows more about kicking than you.'"
Thirteen years later, Thompson is still the kicking coach at Austin College, where he continues to impact the lives of young players and never lets them give up on their dreams.
To read the full Sports Illustrated story, click here.
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, co-written with legendary Texas football coach Ronnie Gage and Alice Sullivan. (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, 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.
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)
About Coach Ronnie Gage:
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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