« Baseball 2014

Ryan Thompson

School
Campbell
Position
Pitcher
Major
Sport Management
FLD%
.920
ERA
1.33
W-L
7-2

Classroom

Ryan Thompson is a well-rounded student-athlete. He diligently focuses on his academic and athletic demands on a daily basis. He is a sport management major and has excelled in the classroom with a 3.0 cumulative GPA, and a 3.375 major GPA. Through his classes and experiences, Ryan has learned the ins and outs of college sports. His unique experience has helped him make a meaningful contribution to class discussions, projects and case studies. He has taught his classmates what it means to be a team player and have good time management skills as well encouraging them to attend the Campbell baseball games. Not only does Ryan take care of his own academic responsibilities, but he also encourages his teammates to do the same. He mentors younger guys on the team, checking to see how they are adjusting to college life, being a college student-athlete and being independent for the first time in their lives. He also assists freshmen in getting additional running and training sessions. Ryan leads by example on the baseball team by doing things the right way like getting up early, having a positive attitude and having a contagious smile on his face throughout the day. Ryan has had wonderful relationships with his professors, classmates and peers here at Campbell University. He inspires his teammates, he enriches his classmates, and he challenges the faculty and staff to strive for excellence. Ryan truly is a senior leader in all aspects.

Character

Ryan is one of those guys that you always feel secure about, and that speaks to both his athletic ability and his character. He’s going to come in, compete, throw strikes and be down in the zone. His numbers are great, but he’s an even better teammate. He loves Campbell. He loves his team. Ryan is on the front step of the dugout every game, waiting for his opportunity to pitch, and cheering on his teammates every pitch of the game. That’s Ryan Thompson. Campbell head coach Greg Goff says the righty is one of the best teammates he has ever coached, because of the fact that he’s so genuine. He loves baseball, and loves coming to the park. He’s an awesome teammate that cares about everybody. He wants to do well and wants to have success in whatever role we ask him to do.

Community

Ever since Ryan stepped foot on campus at Campbell, he has made a lasting impression. Ryan always puts others above himself, striving to make others successful and making the community a better place to live. One way that he enjoys getting involved in the community is through the Miracle League. He helped plan out the details and logistics of setting the game time, location and getting the participants and the CU baseball together for a fun game of baseball. Each participant was paired with one or two Campbell student-athletes for the game. The Miracle League kids and the team had a great night of laughs, smiles and fun. Ryan also likes to volunteer with local Fall Festival celebrations. He has participated by helping set up learning activities for the kids to visit; they went to each location and received a prize or candy. He also helped plan and run some of the games that kids got to play. Although, Ryan enjoys playing games with community kids, one of his favorite things to teach kids how to play baseball and develop their skills. He has helped organize, train and lead the baseball clinics the past few years at Campbell University. Ryan developed the stations the kids go to, coordinate volunteers and assign campers to their respective leaders. He loves being able to see kids pick up a baseball, teach them how to throw a pitch, play catch and learn how to make contact with a ball for the very first time.

Competition

After an All-American junior campaign that saw him earn Big South Pitcher of the Year honors, Campbell senior Ryan Thompson has garnered numerous preseason accolades heading into the 2014 season. Thompson was most recently named to the initial watch list for the 10th annual National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Award, given to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I baseball. Thompson picked up a third preseason All-America plaudit with the Sporting News naming the Camel closer to its list. Thompson, last season’s Big South Pitcher of the Year and the 2014 conference Preseason Pitcher of the Year, has been named Louisville Slugger Preseason Second Team and NCBWA Third Team All-American. The righty also earned All-America plaudits from Louisville Slugger and the American Baseball Coaches Association after last season’s historic campaign. Baseball America named Thompson to its list of top-50 college seniors, rating the Campbell closer No. 36. Last season, the Turner, Ore. native led the nation with a Big South and Campbell record 0.88 ERA, adding a 9-1 record in 71.2 innings pitched over 31 appearances, striking out 57 with 15 walks. The righthander surrendered only seven earned runs and six extra base hits, owning a 29.1 innings pitched streak without a run allowed from April 5-May 18. Thompson was also an All-Big South First Team and All-Tournament member, and garnered Big South Pitcher of the Week accolades on May 6.