Hall of Fame
Rob Thompson has faithfully served his alma mater of Maranatha Baptist University for over two decades in a multitude of roles. In 1984, Thompson embarked on a journey in ministry and coaching after graduating from then Maranatha Baptist Bible College with a degree in pastoral theology. Twenty years after graduating, the Lord would bring Thompson back to where he began his journey to continue the call of impacting the next generation for Christ in the same place he was so deeply impacted.
Thompson was first hired at Maranatha Baptist in 2003 as the Sports Information Director and Athletic Events Manager after roughly 20 years in coaching and athletic administration work throughout the Midwest. In 2004, Thompson got back into coaching as an assistant baseball coach from 2004-2006. After a few years in these roles, Thompson was hired as the Athletic Director and Head Softball Coach in 2006. Recently Thompson has retired from the role of athletic administration and coaching, but he has not stopped serving, as he is now the Assistant Vice President for Admissions and Recruitment at Maranatha, a role he began in the fall of 2024.
Over his 21-year tenure as Athletic Director, Thompson led a department that won 10 NCCAA National Championships. Despite the success, Thompson is most known for his service to the NCCAA and Maranatha community. Thompson served as an NCCAA Regional Coordinator from 2012-2023 and just recently completed a nine-year commitment on the NCCAA Board of Directors where he served as the NCCAA President from 2020-2023.
“Rob serves with a peace and contentment that many don’t possess,” stated current Maranatha Baptist University Athletic Director Paul Brown. “He serves his community, he promotes student-athletes, and he does whatever it takes to help grow the NCCAA because he knows what it stands for.” Thompson’s desire to serve young people largely is contributed to his own faith journey, where he was led to the Lord as a teenager in 1975 at Fellowship Baptist Church in Marshalltown, Iowa through the influence of his youth pastor.
Thompson’s service to the Kingdom far outstretches his work with the NCCAA. He and his wife April have been involved in the ministry of Calvary Baptist Church since they married in 1984. Thompson has served on the board, taught discipleship classes, and ushered during his time at the church.
Chris Lahm, Athletic Director & Men’s Basketball Coach at Ozark Christian College and NCCAA Administration Committee member, stated, “I have been challenged by how Rob held true to his convictions and never compromised in his effort to be a successful coach or Athletic Director. I appreciate how he worked diligently to earn the respect of the athletes he encountered and challenged them to be men and women of God.”
Current NCCAA President Chad Briscoe added, “I have witnessed firsthand Rob’s heart for the Lord through intercollegiate athletics and a servant heart focus for his athletic staff regarding academics, athletics, and service opportunities. His sincere commitment to always working with excellence has been a tremendous asset to MBU, the NCAA, and NCCAA. He has a tremendous passion for higher education and is dedicated to assisting all those around him at Maranatha Baptist University.”
Thompson is a model of consistency, and despite a transition from the world of athletics his passion remains the same to serve the next generation with a heart for Christ.
The NCCAA is honored to induct Rob Thompson into the Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2025.