Longtime Gators track coach Thompson remembered at vigil

Blaine Thompson, the longtime track and field, and boys cross country coach at Green Valley known for his straw hat and bulging vein in his forehead, was remembered as an inspirational leader during a candlelight vigil at the school Monday night.

Thompson, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on Thanksgiving weekend, died Sunday night. He was 50.

“He worked really hard to help people achieve their goals, but also to push them further than they thought they could go,” Green Valley assistant coach Mark Fordney said. “He really wanted excellence.”

More than 400 people, including athletes and coaches from schools across the valley, attended the student-organized vigil.

Thompson’s former math students recalled their experiences with the ultra-competitive coach, while several of his former athletes also shared stories of his intensity and passion, which were exemplified by “the vein” that appeared during his motivational speeches.

“The sheer amount of people in the crowd he had an impact on, it blew me away,” said Thompson’s stepson, Ryan Baker. “It speaks to the man that he was, just a selfless person who went about living life for others instead of himself.”

Thompson was the track and field coach for 18 years at Green Valley, leading the school to the boys state title in 2003 along with Sunrise Region boys titles in 2003, 2009 and 2014. The girls team finished as region runner-up seven times under Thompson.

He also coached the boys cross country team for 12 seasons, guiding the Gators to four region championships. Green Valley captured the Sunrise title in 2014 and finished second at the Division I state meet.

Thompson is survived by his wife, Gina, stepdaughter Paige Baker, 19, and Ryan Baker, 17.

To donate, visit https://www.facebook.com/pages/Blaine-Thompson-Medical-Fund/905684676122547, or checks can be sent to Blaine Thompson Donation Fund, Wells Fargo Bank, 900 N. Green Valley Parkway, Henderson, NV, 89074.

Contact reporter David Schoen at dschoen@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203. Follow him on Twitter: @DavidSchoenLVRJ.