Release courtesy of the Ferris State University Athletics Communications Department
Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University
Athletics Department has appointed Dawn Thompson
as interim head softball coach for the 2011-12 academic year in an
announcement made today (Aug. 11) by FSU Athletics Director
Perk Weisenburger.
Thompson, who has served as an assistant coach on the softball
staff the last three seasons, will fill the void left by the
departure of longtime head coach Keri
Becker. She was recently named associate athletics
director and senior women's administrator at Grand Valley
State.
"We are pleased to announce that Dawn Thompson, our assistant
coach for the past three seasons, will take over as interim head
softball coach for the 2011-12 season," Weisenburger said.
"Dawn knows our players, our University, this softball program and
is prepared to take over where Keri Becker left off. We will
complete a search for the permanent head softball coach position in
the spring, but for right now Dawn's appointment provides us with
the leadership and stability we need for our softball program".
Thompson began her responsibilities at Ferris State in September
2008 during the fall exhibition season. Before that time, she
served nine (2000-08) seasons as the head varsity softball coach at
Big Rapids (Mich.) High School.
In her three seasons with the Bulldogs, Thompson has helped Ferris
State to a 85-49 overall record and three consecutive 20-plus win
seasons. The Bulldogs also reached the NCAA Division II
Tournament and posted a 35-10 overall mark in her initial season
during the 2009 campaign.
"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to continue my coaching
career at Ferris State University," Thompson said. "It's a
program that has a strong softball tradition and I look forward to
working with our players in an effort to build on that
success."
Prior her arrival at Ferris State, Thompson directed the Big
Rapids Varsity Softball team to three conference championships and
two district titles during her nine-year career. In 2008, she was
recognized by the Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association
(MHSSCA) for surpassing 200 career victories. Since 2000, Thompson
has been the head coach of the BRHS' varsity girls basketball
program and was responsible for guiding the Cardinals to three
league titles and three district crowns.
The Howard City, Mich., native began her coaching career in 1999
in which she served as the junior varsity softball head coach at
her alma mater Tri-County High School in Howard City, Mich., and
also was an assistant coach of the Big Rapids' varsity girls
basketball team.
As a collegian at Central Michigan University, Thompson was an
All-Mid American Conference (MAC) Second-Team selection at third
base in 1998 after earning all-conference honorable mention
plaudits in 1997 under head coach Margo Jonker. A two-time (1997
and 1998) MAC All-Academic Team honoree, Thompson was a member of
two (1995 and 1998) Mid-American Conference Championship Teams
while playing for the Chippewas. A four-year (1995-98) letterwinner
at Central Michigan, Thompson holds the distinction of being the
inaugural recipient of the CMU softball program's Beth Pawlak
Memorial Award for dedication, leadership, hard work, and positive
attitude.
Thompson received her bachelor's degree from Central Michigan in
1999 and would earn a Master's Degree in educational leadership
from Grand Valley State University in 2005.
A 1994 graduate of Tri-County High School, Thompson attained
All-Newaygo County Athletic Association, all-district, and
all-regional softball accolades in each of her last three (1992-94)
prep campaigns. She twice (1992 and 1994) was recognized as a
honorable mention all-state pick while garnering all-area kudos
three consecutive seasons (1992-94). Thompson, a three-year prep
varsity softball letterwinner for the Vikings, was a 1994 West
Michigan All-Area First-Team selection. In basketball, she was
chosen twice (1992 and 1993) as an all-conference performer and
tabbed as an all-area honoree three times (1991-93).
Thompson was a second-team West Michigan All-Area pick on the
hardwood as a senior in the 1993 season. She received three varsity
letters in basketball and two in volleyball at TCHS.
The daughter of Michael and Laura Thompson of Howard City, Dawn
has two brothers and two sisters. She resides in Big Rapids and
currently works as a special education teacher at Big Rapids High
School.