Thompson Steps Down As Eureka Director of Athletics

Thompson Steps Down As Eureka Director of Athletics

Steve Thompson will step down as Eureka College Director of Athletics on June 30, 2018, the College announced Tuesday. Thompson has accepted an administrative athletics position at another institution closer to his home in Ohio. Bryan Moore, Director of Media Relations has been named interim Director of Athletics.

"This is a very bittersweet moment for me," Thompson said. "I have been truly blessed in my almost five years at Eureka College to work with tremendous coaches, staff, and student-athletes. As I look back on what we have been able to accomplish together, I am confident Eureka College athletics is poised for continued prosperity and will continue to compete at a high level. Our alumni and friends, much of this not possible without their support, can continue to be proud of the current student-athletes and know the legacy of success is strong."

Thompson has served EC as Director of Athletics since January 2014. The College made a series of upgrades and renovations to its athletics facilities under his leadership, including the Christine Bonati Bollwinkle Arena and Convocation Center which was dedicated in October 2015 and the addition of turf and lights to Peter FioRito Stadium at McKinzie Field in the summer of 2017.

Eureka also excelled in competition during Thompson's tenure. The Eureka women's basketball team swept the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament championships in 2017 to advance to their first-ever NCAA Tournament. Nine months later, the Eureka football program won eight games to clinch its first conference title since 1995 and go to the NCAA Playoffs for the first time in school history.

"We have seen tremendous growth in Athletics under Steve's leadership," said Eureka College President Jamel Santa Cruze Wright. "His creativity and dedication will be sorely missed and we wish him nothing but the best as he transitions to his next leadership role."

Moore, who will continue to oversee Eureka's media relations office, will assume the interim role on July 1. A national search for a permanent Director of Athletics will begin immediately.

STORY COURTESY OF EUREKA COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION