Rob Thompson
Assistant Athletic Director for Recreation
Phone: 253-535-7495
Email: thompsrw@plu.edu
- Biography
Biography
Robert Thompson arrived at Pacific Lutheran University in August of 2013 as the Coordinator of Recreation and was elevated to Assistant Athletic Director for Recreation prior to the 2017-2018 academic year.
Under Thompson’s leadership, student participation in intramural programming has increased by 40 percent through innovative marketing to students and partnerships with several departments on campus. His efforts have elevated PLU’s profile nationally, being named by Bestcolleges.com as one of the Top 50 intramural programs in the country. Thompson advises the club sports program and an outdoor recreation program that was named the 2017 Club & Organization of the Year by Associated Students of Pacific Lutheran University (ASPLU). Thompson also oversees the group exercise and bike co-op programs.
Thompson’s experience includes stints working within the recreation departments at Brown University, Adams State University, and Endicott College. He additionally has corporate experience at the Nike World Headquarters working in their golf and SPARQ divisions in customer relations and events. With a passion for student development, Thompson has used his Nike experience to creatively market and unite the campus community through recreational programming and events.
Thompson earned a bachelor of science degree in sports management from Endicott College in 2007 and was a four-year letter winner as a member of the men’s soccer team. He obtained a master’s degree in human performance and physical education with a concentration in sports administration from Adams State University. While at Adams State, Thompson served as a graduate assistant for the intramural & club sports department and as the head assistant coach of the men’s soccer team.