A former NCAA high jump national qualifier and record-holder at Eastern Illinois, Tim Thompson enters his third season at Illinois State after a five-year stint as assistant coach for jumps, sprints, throws and multi-events at the University of Missoui-Kansas City.

In his two short years at Illinois State Thompson has coached one NCAA high jumper, two NCAA provisional qualifiers and five regional jumpers.

At UMKC he coached three NCAA Division I Outdoor Championships participants, one all-American high jumper, a 2001 World Championships participant, 17 UMKC record-holders, 88 all-conference award winners, three conference outdoor record-holders, 34 indoor and outdoor conference champions, three Mid-Continent Athlete of the Year honorees and the 2001 and 2002 Mid-Continent Academic Athlete of the Year.

Prior to working at UMKC, Thompson was a graduate assistant jumps coach at Eastern Illinois while working toward his master's degree in education administration. He also received his Bachelor of Science degree from Eastern Illinois in physical education.

Thompson, who has USA Track and Field Level I and Level II (Jumps) certifications, holds the Eastern Illinois indoor and outdoor records in the high jump and was also a three-time Mid-Continent Conference Champion in the event. A member of two Ohio Valley Conference Championship teams, he was a four-year varsity letterwinner.

Thompson and his wife, Stephanie, reside in Pekin, Ill., with their son, Brayden (4).