About Inductee

At the age of 5, Bruce Thompson wasnt sure he wanted to play in the 65-pound football league at Huntsvilles Northwest YMCA. His father insisted. It turned out to be a good long-term decision for all concerned. Bruce Thompson became an All-City defensive back and punter at Lee High School in 1978, the same year he was named the Generals Most Valuable Player and permanent team captain. He was the North teams MVP in the Alabama High School All-Star game in 1979, the same year he signed an athletic scholarship with the University of Southern Mississippi. Next to legendary Ray Guy, Thompson is regarded as perhaps the finest punter in Southern Miss. history. He had a 76-yard punt against Alabama in the Golden Eagles 38-29 victory in 1982, coach Paul Bear Bryants final season at the Capstone. Named USMs permanent team captain after the 1982 season, Thompson was a district Academic All-American in 1983 and was awarded a post-graduate scholarship by the NCAA. While in college, he was named to the USM student Hall of Fame (selected by the faculty) in 1983 and Mr. USM (selected by the students). In 1995, six years after receiving a Masters degree at Southern Miss, he was presented with the Outstanding Service Award by the USM Alumni Association. Born in Denver, Colo., in 1960, Bruce moved to Huntsville with his family when he was just a year old. His standout academic and athletic career was soon to follow. He is now a systems engineer at Northrop Grumman after previously working as a senior scientist at Kottman Inc. and a software engineer at GRCI. Attempting to single out something or someone that had the greatest impact on my athletic accomplishments is extremely difficult, Thompson says. Ive been truly blessed over the years to have many individuals family, teachers, coaches, friends whove supported, encouraged and taught me. First and foremost, I thank God for blessing me with the talents and abilities and with the opportunities that have been presented to me. I give credit and thanks to the many coaches who dedicated their lives to the instruction and development of players like me. The ones who had the most significant impact were his parents, Richard and Ruth Thompson. Bruce is married to Jacqueline B. Thompson and they have two daughters, Tara and Natalie.