What I learned from John Thompson

John Thompson came to Georgetown to be our basketball coach during my sophomore year in 1972. The previous season was really bad (3-23 record) so students eagerly anticipated better times on the basketball court. But we would soon learn that John Thompson was bigger than the game. Coach Thompson would become a teacher and role model for anyone willing to learn how to stand up for what really matters in life. 

It made me proud that my school would hire a young black coach. This was less than four years after the assassination of Rev Martin Luther King and, incredibly, only two years since the first black coach was hired in the history of NCAA Division I basketball. Little did I know that I would become even prouder to be a fan of John Thompson, the man – and that he would teach me about how racism corrupted every facet of America.

In those early years, Georgetown got a lot better on the court. Thompson became a media darling for his commitment to education and strong standards for student athletes. Newspaper articles and TV coverage repeatedly showed the deflated basketball he kept on his desk as a reminder that his players needed to think about their life after basketball. Everybody seemed to love John Thompson.

Things started to change when Georgetown went beyond winning a lot of games and became a regular NCAA Tournament team. I was beginning to sense that the sports establishment liked Thompson as a symbol of change, but not sure they were thrilled to think he might win it all. 

Thompson’s status as sports media darling came to end in 1982 when Patrick Ewing arrived as a freshman star. Thompson had a rule that freshman players would not be available for media interviews. He wanted to create a safe space for new players to adjust to the pressures of starting college academics and college basketball at the same time. 

Ewing was one of the most recruited high school seniors that year. The press wanted access to the new star. Thompson would not bend his rules to accommodate the frenzy. Even as a fan (and I was a very serious one), you could feel the animosity rising. Thompson and Georgetown weren’t such a wonderful story any more.

On top of this, the reaction from opposing fans to Ewing’s arrival in the Big East was outrageous. At away games, opposing fans held signs evoking racist images. One of the most common signs said: “Ewing can’t read this.”

Thompson, Ewing and those teams went on to three NCAA championship games. I was lucky enough to be at all three, including our 1984 championship victory in Seattle. To this day, seeing the photo of Thompson hugging Ewing at the end of the game brings tears of joy to my eyes. I was privileged to bask in the reflection of the enormous personal accomplishment of these two men. This was always something much more than a sports victory to me.

Thompson was a tough guy who could be a gruff and imposing figure. I understand why the fans of our rival teams – and more than one ref – didn’t feel the love. I didn’t really know him but was with him on a few occasions and got to know some players, coaches and university staff in his circle. The people who were close to him loved him and he returned the feeling with friendship and support.

As the years progressed, I saw how Thompson’s tough exterior was treated by the media and outside world. It was pretty clear they could give a lot of space to famous white coaches who sometimes acted pretty bizarre, if not violently, on the sidelines and in practices. At some point, the term “Hoya Paranoia” emerged. I can’t remember if it was stuck on us, but Georgetown proudly embraced it. 

I learned, from a distance, the different standard that American society places on black people. The standards for John Thompson in the 1980’s demanded that he be this impossible figure – someone who breaks down barriers without threatening the status quo, all while being so humble you could hardly stand it. Not exactly the same standard that Bobby Knight was held to.

John Thompson taught me about commitment. He succeeded at pretty much everything he did. John Thompson taught me about race in America. I don’t think he wanted that role, but racism doesn’t let people choose. John Thompson let me come along on the incredibly fun ride from being nowhere as a basketball program and winning the NCAA championship just 12 years later with style and grace.

But most of all, John Thompson taught me the power and personal meaning of standing up for your convictions. He is a role model for anyone who needs to learn that it is not enough to be successful in your career. If your community isn’t in a better place because of your efforts, you haven’t really succeeded at all.  Thanks for everything, Coach Thompson, I will miss you.