Teacher Appreciation Week: William Thompson

 

William Thompson's 60 years of contributions to NCS have set a standard that will likely never be equaled. Generations of NCS students know "Coach T" as a stalwart supporter of their endeavors, always willing to offer an encouraging word. Coach T is also a living link to NCS's past, having worked for five of the 10 heads of school, and his remembrances are a joy to hear. This is actually Coach T's second retirement; the first, in 2007, didn't quite take and he returned to work shortly thereafter—allowing many more girls to get to know him.

 

Following are remarks that Director of Buildings & Grounds Pedro Martinez made at a May 5 reception to honor NCS's retiring faculty and staff:

 

"We are honored to have the opportunity to give tribute to William Thompson. It is hard to think of NCS faculty and staff without thinking of William, better known as Coach T. William is a beloved and respected colleague that, for six decades, has given NCS his care and love. He has always shown us what the words 'dependable' and 'devotion' really mean.

 

"Coach T has fully seen a few generations of our students and their families, faculty and staff come through this wonderful place. It is not a surprise to hear alumnae and former faculty and staff visiting the school ask if William still works here. This speaks volumes about William and his extraordinary service to our community through the years. He has always served the school with tremendous commitment, dedication, and enthusiasm. William has been in charge of opening the school, has been the security guard, a bus driver and, later, was in charge of transportation and in charge of mail operations, and he has always given his help to the athletic coaching staff. He has done it all.

 

"He has been a coach and a mentor to many of our students and other young people. He is certainly a man of great generosity and many talents. I am sure you have heard from him some of the greatest and most entertaining stories about NCS in years past. His love for NCS sports and his dedicated support for the different teams are well known. If you attend an NCS sports event, you can always count on Coach T being there, unconditionally supporting the school teams from games here at home or as a visitor at a rival school.

 

"We would like to take this opportunity to recognize and give a big thanks to his great family: His wife, Mary, his daughters Beverly and Melissa, his son William Jr. and his late son Grady. And also other extended family that are here tonight. Thank you for sharing William with us all these years.

 

"William, it has been wonderful for all of us to have you as a colleague. The testimony to that is the presence of so many of your friends here tonight. We wish you well in your new life, the life that you are about to undertake. You deserve a great retirement and to spend precious time with your family. We will forever remember you and your many contributions to National Cathedral School."