Name: Bob Thompson
Degree program: M.P.ED, B. P.Ed, B.Ed
Professional certifications: CSEP – CPT, CWPC and CSAC
Graduating class of: 1984
Current occupation: Retired, 33 years physical education teacher
Present work: Personal trainer and volunteer hockey coach
Personal interests: Coaching Mount Pearl Junior Hockey Team and St. John’s Leafs AAA Major Midget Hockey Team; lifestyle health and wellness

Where did your Memorial education take you? What have you done since graduating? What are some of your career highlights?

• Teaching: St. James Jr. High, Port-Aux-Basques (grades 7-9); St. Joseph’s Harbour Brenton (grades K-12); Holy Heart, St. John’s (grades 10-12)
• 33 years teaching physical education from grades K-12
• 24 years high school physical education teacher and athletic coordinator at Holy Heart High School. All of those years heavily involved in coaching high school sports and coordinating leagues and tournaments (zone, regional and provincial).
• Extensive volunteering coaching with Mount Pearl Minor Hockey and Hockey NL from 1999 – to present
• 1986-87 Provincial Sr. Hockey Herder Champions – St. John’s Caps
• 1988 National Soccer Sr. Men’s Challenge Cup Champions - Holy Cross
• 2011 Eastern School District Teaching Award of Excellence
• 2016 SSNL Regional recognition Award

What are you doing now? What excites you about your work when you wake up each morning?

• I’m excited to have the opportunity to hopefully make a difference with the aging population in terms of the personal fitness, lifestyle and over quality of life. Also I still have a passion for coaching and training competitive athletes who are motivated to reach their highest potential.

What did you enjoy most about your Memorial student experience?

• Competing with the varsity soccer and at that time hockey team and the many life-long friendships that were developed. It’s a real shame that Memorial does not have a varsity hockey team since I last played.
• My overall physical education experience was fantastic! The thing that stands out most was how close our class was as a group and the cooperation and togetherness we had for our classes and activities. 

What advice would you have for a student considering studying in the field of Human Kinetics and Recreation?

• Have a PASSION for what you do and the rest will look after itself.

What plans do you have for the future?

• Work in the fitness industry, coaching and continuing education.