Dave Thompson joins the BESPOKE team having recently concluded a successful career at Hamilton College. His 39 years as a member of the faculty in the Department of Physical Education and Athletics included multiple roles as a teacher, coach and administrator. 

A 1980 graduate of Colgate University where he captained the swimming & diving team, Thompson earned a master’s degree in Counseling at Syracuse University. He spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Colgate and another at Southwest Missouri State University. 

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Hired at Hamilton in 1983 as Head Swimming Coach and Aquatics Director, Thompson spent 20 years leading the women’s and men’s programs to more than a dozen New York State conference championships. He coached 123 qualifiers for the NCAA Division III championships and 49 all-Americans. Thompson led the men to a dual meet record of 113-47 and guided the women to a record of 100-66. 

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In 2000 the Continentals finished eighth in the team standings at the NCAA Division III Men's Swimming and Diving Championship and were 10th at the women's national meet. Thompson's men went on to take 10th place at the 2002 NCAA championship. In addition, Thompson is a 10 time Coach of the Year award recipient. 

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Administratively, Thompson has served in a variety of roles, including Director of Athletics from 2002-2006 and Director of Campus Wellness from 2007-2022. As Wellness Director, his responsibilities included oversight of the recreation, intramural, and club sport programs. In addition, Thompson created and maintained robust wellness programming and managed the supervision and scheduling of Hamilton’s extensive athletic facilities. He also served as the Director of the Charlean and Wayland Blood Fitness and Dance Center, a 33,000 square foot state of the art facility, which served as the hub for all wellness and fitness activities.