Thompson hired as Associate Athletics Director of External Operations
3/26/2021 3:00:00 PM | Baseball, Women's Cross Country, Football, General, Men's Golf, Men's Basketball, Men's Hockey, Nordic Skiing, Softball, Men's Swim & Dive, Men's Tennis, Men's Track & Field, Women's Basketball, Women's Hockey, Women's Soccer, Wrestling, Volleyball, Men's Cross Country, Women's Swim & Dive, Women's Track & Field, Women's Tennis, Women's Golf, Men's Soccer
ST. CLOUD, MINN. - St. Cloud State University Director of Athletics Heather Weems announced today that Bruce Thompson will become the Associate Athletics Director of External Operations.Â
In this expanded position, Thompson will oversee marketing and promotions, along with athletic communications, video/creative service and ticketing for Huskies Athletics, as well as serve as a sport administrator. He will handle sponsorships for events such as the Huskies Sportacular Golf Tournament and various other events throughout the athletic calendar, in addition to working closely with St. Cloud State Sports Properties through the Learfield/IMG partnership.
"Bruce Thompson has been a great addition to Huskies Athletics over the past 18 months, and I am excited to see his leadership continue to flourish in this expanded role," commented Weems. "We are already planning for what we hope will be more normal operations in 2021-22 as we welcome students and fans back to campus in larger numbers. [Thompson] is committed to Huskies Athletics' role as a community connector and brand ambassador and understands the importance of revenue generation to our departmental success. As a two-time St. Cloud State alumnus, [Thompson] bleeds black and red and has a really good feel for our history and traditions, as well as the greater St. Cloud State market. Additionally, his coaching background provides a welcomed voice on our senior team as we support our coaches and student-athletes in reaching their goals."Â
Thompson initially joined the St. Cloud State staff as the Assistant Athletics Director for Marketing and Promotions in November of 2019. In this role, he was responsible for launching the SCSU Athletics Mobile App and creating a marketing strategic plan for all 17 NCAA sports.Â
"I am honored and excited for my expanded role as Associate Athletics Director for External Operations," Thompson said in a statement. "I would like to thank Director of Athletics Heather Weems for this opportunity and her continued leadership. St. Cloud State is a special place, and I look forward to finding creative ways to increase revenue, game day atmosphere and overall fan experience."
Before coming to St. Cloud State, Thompson was the Athletic Coordinator and Head Baseball Coach at Bismarck State College, and prior to that, served as an assistant baseball coach at St. Cloud Technical and Community College, where he was part of a Cyclone team that won a conference championship and earned the No. 7 ranking in the nation. While at SCTCC, the team went 36-7 record, including an impressive 26-game win streak, the longest such streak in program history. During this time, SCTCC hit .353 as a team with a .525 slugging percentage, both of which ranked top-10 in the nation.
Thompson additionally served as Director of Marketing and Game Day Management at Lackawanna College, while also serving as the school's head baseball coach from 2015 to 2018. During that time, Thompson helped the athletics department develop a marketing plan and implemented a Game Day Management system. Additionally, he assisted in directing a $1M athletics budget. As the head baseball coach, Thompson posted an overall record of 87-49 with two trips to the Region XIX Championship. He moved 25+ players onto the Division I level and had two players selected in the first year Major League Baseball draft.
Thompson additionally has prior experience at St. Cloud State University, as he served as the Huskies recruiting coordinator and assistant baseball coach from 2012 to 2015. During his three years with the program, St. Cloud State posted a 125-28 record and nine players, including All-American Michael Jurgella, signed pro baseball contracts. Thompson also served as director of sales and marketing for the St. Cloud River Bats (now the St. Cloud Rox) and was a senior account executive with the Minnesota Swarm during this time.Â
Thompson played collegiate baseball at St. Cloud State and earned All-Conference honors during his distinguished career. He received both his Bachelors and Masters degrees from St. Cloud State and has remained involved as a proud alumnus.Â
