Attack Volleyball Club: Club Administrator

LINDA THOMPSON

PERSONAL

Linda Thompson was a two-sport athlete where she began playing volleyball and softball at Havenscourt junior high school in Oakland, California.  She continued to play both sports until she was recruited to play women's fastpitch softball at California State University, at Hayward, California.  Thompson began coaching in 1988 when she became the athletic director at St. Elizabeth Middle School starting up successful CYO volleyball, softball and basketball programs for girls in fifth through eighth grade.  A few years later, she was named head coach of the girls' varsity volleyball program at Skyline high School where she coached the Lady Titans to three Oakland Athletic League championships.

 In 1994, Coach Thompson was recruited as head coach of the women's fastpitch softball program at Laney College and also became the women's volleyball program as head coach where she was the only African-American female head volleyball and softball coach among the California Community Colleges.  Currently, she is the College of Alameda's head women's volleyball coach; since 2004. She is a physical education instructor where she teaches aerobic weight lifting, strength training, and body conditioning.

COMMUNITY

2010-present:  Founder and Club Administrator of Attack Volleyball Club.

1996-present:  Founder/CEO of Lady Athletics fastpitch softball organization for girls ages 18-and-under.  Summer tournament competition are held from June through August and Fall tournament competition are held from September through Novemeber.  As head coach, Thompson has coached the Lady A's to winning many local tournaments, including berths to the USSSA World Series in Texas and ASA nationals in California.

1993-1996:  Founder/President of Oakland Bobby Sox Softball League (currently named Oakland Girls Softball League) for girls ages 6-15.  The teams competed locally against teams from San Lorenzo, San Leandro, Alameda and Piedmont, including the Bobby Sox Nationals in Buena Park, California. Thompson was the head coach of the first Oakland's American Girl team that went on to compete in the Bobby Sox Nationals; placing second in the Nationals.

Thompson founded these programs to provide an opportunity for girls from diverse social economical backgrounds to train and play volleyball and softball.  She provides educational counseling and assists with their preparation for college.  She also provides an opportunity for young women to return to the programs, after they have completed college, to become mentors/coaches to these young girls.

AWARDS

Thompson has received many awards from the community and parents.  She has also been recognized by KQED where she received the "Unsung Heroes Award" for providing athletic opportunities for girls in her community, the Mayor of Oakland for her community service efforts and she has also received notoriety from educators in the community.

EDUCATION

Linda Thompson earned a Master's degree in Health, Physical Education & Recreation from Saint Mary's College of California, a Bachelor's degree in Recreation from California State University at Hayward and also earned an Associates of Arts degree in Business Administration.