Today@Sam Article
SHSU's Thompson Selected For Regents' Award
Nov. 13, 2015
SHSU Media Contact: Julia May
Chris Thompson, of Sam Houston State University, has been selected to receive the 2016 Regents’ Staff Member Award by the Board of Regents of The Texas State University System.
The announcement was made at the board’s quarterly meeting at Texas State University in San Marcos on Friday (Nov. 13).
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| Chris Thompson |
The regents annually select an exceptional staff member from one of the eight component institutions in the system to receive the award. The award recognizes staff who excel in six areas—commitment to the university and its mission; job competency; collegiality; duration of service; community involvement; and exceptional achievement. Honorees receive a framed resolution, a medallion, a check for $3,000, and retain the title of Regents’ Staff Member for life.
Thompson serves as associate athletic director for student services and senior women's administrator for the Sam Houston State University athletic department.
Her areas of responsibility include Title IX/Gender Equity coordinator; Title IX/Sexual Misconduct coordinator; student-athlete welfare; eligibility certification; student-athlete affairs course instruction; and liaison with the SHSU student-athlete advisory committee, FAR/Athletic Advisory Council and SHSU Lettermen’s and Women’s Letter-Winner Associations.
She also serves as CHAMPS/Life Skills coordinator, directing a comprehensive program that assists freshman student-athletes in their transition year and provides a solid foundation for their years at SHSU.
“Chris is truly deserving of this honor, not only because of all that she has personally accomplished, but also because of the difference she has made in the lives of so many students,” SHSU President Dana Hoyt said. “Her innovative ideas and unfailing encouragement have motivated numerous Bearkat athletes to be successful in the classroom, as well as in their individual sports. Also, under her direction, our students-athletes have contributed hours of service within the community and region and have impacted many young lives.”
A native of Springtown, she received both her bachelor's and master's degrees from Sam Houston State. Thompson came to Huntsville as a transfer from Weatherford Junior College, playing tennis for the Bearkats in 1979 and '80. As a senior, she was the team's "Most Valuable Player" and a finalist for Texas AIAW "Athlete-of-the-Year."
In 1981-82, she became the first full-time tennis coach at Sam Houston State, directing both the men's and women's programs. She was one of only five women to coach an NCAA men's team. In her 16 years of coaching, she produced nine individual conference champions, three Academic All-Americans, two freshmen of the year and was twice named Conference "Coach of the Year."
In 1997, she moved into athletic administration as associate athletic director for student services. In the years since, she has touched the lives of every Bearkat student-athlete and her successful program has served as a model for other universities in the Southland Conference.
Thompson has been honored as a Distinguished Physical Education Alumna and received the Sam Houston Alumni Service Award and the Sammy Award as Outstanding Adviser. In December 2010, Thompson was inducted into the Sam Houston Women's Letterwinners Association Hall of Honor.
The eight institutions of The Texas State University System are located in areas from the Big Bend country to the Texas-Louisiana border and include: Sul Ross State University; Sul Ross State University-Rio Grande College; Texas State University; Sam Houston State University; Lamar University; Lamar Institute of Technology; Lamar State College-Orange; and Lamar State College-Port Arthur.
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