Messiah Soccer Grad Joins the Fighting Scots’ Coaching Staff

Nick Thompson was a successful college player who’d won a spot on a professional soccer team, before deciding there was something else he’d rather be: an assistant men’s coach at Gordon.

Thompson made the roster of the Carolina Railhawks of the North American Soccer League in 2011 after graduating from Messiah College, where his team won three NCAA Division III National Championships in four years.

Though he loved being on the field, he sought his true passion: coaching. He began as a volunteer assistant for North Carolina State in the fall of 2011. He then coached at the U.S. Naval Academy for the spring 2012 season before being hired at Gordon this fall. 

Thompson, a native of Akron, Ohio, came to Gordon knowing many of the Scots men’s players from his hometown.  He played varsity soccer at Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy with Gordon graduates, Matt Horth and Alex Sosler, and current starter, Kellen Kasiguran.  While at Messiah, he shared a graduating class and Sports Management major with Pete Owens, who is now the assistant coach for Gordon’s men’s lacrosse team. 

He also left his stamp in the Falcon record book with 54 career goals and 18 assists.

Thompson’s aim is to bring the same excitement and energy to the Scots that made him a successful Division III player.

“I’ve been there.  I know what it takes,” said Thompson.  He admitted that it feels a little strange to play “catch up” with the Scots after playing for the Falcons.  The Scots will have to work very hard to live up to the standard of the Falcons. 

Thompson said he and head coach John Whallon, face the 2012 men’s soccer season with great expectations, and plan to hold the players to a higher and more intense standard of play and conduct. “It starts off with doing the little things right,” he said. “These little things are what bring in more goals, less losses and more wins.”