Indiana University of Pennsylvania Athletics

Two-sport star Bill Thompson is being enshrined for his excellence on the gridiron and the diamond.

Thompson, who is from nearby Blairsville and a graduate of Blairsville High School, starred as a tight end and fullback for the IUP football team and was one of the baseball team's most reliable pitchers.

As team captain in his senior season of 1984, he garnered a host of awards. He was chosen the team MVP, but that's not all. For his success as a tight end, he was named to the AII-PSAC West first team in addition to being tabbed as a third team All-American.

A threat whether he was playing tight end or fullback. Thompson gave opposing defenses all they could handle.

As a tight end, he hauled in 101 passes for 1,222 yard in his career, ranking 10th in IUP annals in receptions and 16th in receiving yards. Of the top ten Indians in career catches, he and Len Pesotini are the only ones to have played before 1984.

After his final football season, Thompson ranked second in school history in catches, only seven behind Pesotini. At that time he was sixth in receiving yards as teammates Stan Betters (1,657) and Gregg Brenner (1,631) ranked first and second, respectively.

When defenses geared themselves to stop Thompson from catching passes, he carried the load on the ground as a bruising fullback. He gained over 900 rushing yards in his career, coming up just short of joining the 24 ball carriers, mostly tailbacks, with over 1,000 yards for their careers.

On the baseball field, Thompson won 15 games as a star pitcher while lettering four times from 1982-85.

Always one to finish what he started, Thompson tallied 17 complete games. In that department, he is tied for fourth in school history with fellow inductee Mike Sobota and Jeff Lloyd, both former teammates. Thompson is tied for seventh in career wins.

As a senior in 1985, he compiled a record of 7-2 and was named the PSAC West Pitcher of the Year.

Thompson is a resident of Indiana and a State Farm Insurance agent. He remains an active supporter of IUP athletics. Thompson and his wife Dana are the parents of Kelsey and Sean.