GREENVILLE, S.C. - The National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) announced today that Rob Thompson, Maranatha's sixth Director of Athletics, has been inducted into the NCCAA Hall of Fame. Thompson is one of three honorees to be named to the Class of 2025.
"Coach T" has driven the success of Maranatha's Athletic Department as its Athletic Director from 2006-2024, and he has worked full-time for the Athletic Department since 2003. During his tenure as AD, the varsity teams at Maranatha have won 10 NCCAA national titles and 47 regional titles while producing nearly 150 All-American selections.
But his work for the NCCAA is what cemented his place in the Hall of Fame. Even while filling the demanding role of Athletic Director at Maranatha, Thompson filled the following roles at the NCCAA:
| Thompson's NCCAA Roles |
|
| Midwest Region Coordinator |
2012-15 |
| North Region Coordinator |
2015-23 |
| Midwest Region Vice-Coordinator |
2023-24 |
| 1st Vice President |
2014-17 |
| 2nd Vice President |
2017-20 |
| President |
2020-23 |
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"The purpose of the Hall of Fame Award is to recognize individuals who have given outstanding leadership and/or service to the NCCAA," the NCCAA released
in a statement today. "Individuals should have high moral character and Christian integrity; presently be making a positive contribution by serving the Lord and society; and maintain a continued interest in Christian higher education and intercollegiate athletics. Despite the success [at Maranatha], Thompson is most known for his service to the NCCAA. He. . . is greatly respected by his colleagues in the NCAA and NCCAA with many witnessing firsthand his heart for the Lord through intercollegiate athletics."
"Rob serves with a peace and contentment that many don't possess," said Maranatha's current Director of Athletics, Paul Brown. "This is what Rob does. He serves his community, he promotes student-athletes, and he did whatever it took to help grow the NCCAA because he knows what it stands for. [But] the years of success as a player, coach, and athletic director still have no meaning to him when it comes to seeing that those under his guidance are giving back to their local churches, serving in their communities, and living a life well pleasing to God. These are the characteristics that we want in those who serve our student-athletes."
The 2025 inductees will officially be honored at the Hall of Fame Luncheon on May 29, 2025 at the NCCAA National Convention in Greenville, South Carolina. For Thompson, the honor is one to remember.
"My first real interaction with the NCCAA was at a National Convention in Kansas City. I was introduced to a group of folks from the NCCAA National Office who treated me like a friend and colleague from day one. I watched as they and the elected officers interacted with the membership, but never dreamed that someday I would have the opportunity and privilege to work side by side with many of them.
Somewhere in the late 2000's, I was challenged by my good friend, and regional chair at the time, Dennis Scott, to 'get involved' if I wanted to have a real voice in the region and national discussions. And so, shortly thereafter, I became a region chair/coordinator and from there opportunities for ad hoc committees and the like started to come my way. I was asked by the first vice president to consider a nomination to the Administrative Committee, which was a nine-year commitment going from second vice president to first vice president and then to president. Being the president during COVID is not something that I would want to do again, but the many lessons learned and faithfulness of the NCCAA staff and membership was incredible.
Having served at MBU and the NCCAA, I can honestly say that I am a better person. Seeing the level of authentic Christianity lived out in daily life, passion for athletes and competition, and most of all, a passion for serving the Lord was evident at each meeting, event and interaction with the National Office staff, elected officers, and the membership at-large. There I saw folks who may have had some differences theologically but lived and served together for the cause of Christ.
Though my days of direct interaction in the NCCAA have come to an end, I cherish the on-going friendships and relationships that have been built over the last twenty-two years." - Rob Thompson
Thompson becomes the fourth inductee from the Maranatha Athletics Staff into the NCCAA, joining Marsha Jackson, Ben Peterson, and Jerry Terrill among the highest honorees in the NCCAA's Hall of Fame.
For a complete listing of the NCCAA Hall of Fame,
go here.
