Lynn W. Thompson to be Enshrined into NACDA Hall of Fame

Lynn W. Thompson will be enshrined into the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Hall of Fame Class of 2023.

Lynn W. Thompson will be enshrined into the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Hall of Fame Class of 2023 for his impressive achievements in collegiate athletics. 

Since January 2021, he began serving as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) strategic advisor to commissioner Sonja Stills and the member institutions.  

Lynn W. Thompson, Sr. Advisor - MEAC; Credit: MEAC

Thompson retired as vice president for intercollegiate athletics at his alma mater, Bethune-Cookman University, after serving the institution for 30 years.  The Wildcats won a combined 71 championships while Thompson was the director of athletics.   He also was the longest-tenured NCAA Division I athletic director at the time of his retirement.

"He recently served as co-writer and narrator of the recent Los Angeles Rams short film/documentary called Kingfish: The Story of Kenny Washington, the saga of the NFL's first Black player to re-integrate the National Football League (NFL) in 1946, which premiered in February, and has written A Chance for Redemption, a drama for the stage which is in full development and set to premiere in Florida this fall."  - MEAC

During his tenure at B-CU, he accomplished several firsts, including being the first African American to chair the NCAA Baseball Rules Committee. He also served on various NCAA committees, creating national policies for intercollegiate athletics. 

Thompson was also heavily involved in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), serving as chairman of various MEAC tournaments. Thompson was a five-time NCAA Peer Reviewer, overseeing the athletics certification process, and served on the NCAA Committee on Academics.

The 2023 NACDA Hall of Fame Class includes:

• Lynn W. Thompson (Bethune-Cookman),
• Jim Abbott (Oklahoma City University), 
• Art Becker (Scottsdale Community College), 
• Bob Bowlsby (Stanford University), 
• Bob Driscoll (Providence College), 
• Carl Heinrich (Johnson County Community College), 
• Marilyn McNeil (Monmouth University),
• Perk Weisenburger (Ferris State University).

The honorees will be recognized with the 58th annual NACDA & Affiliates Convention at 4 PM ET inside the World Center Marriott Resort in Orlando, Florida, on Monday, June 12.

MEAC Press Release  |  NACDA Press Release