NCAA RECORD HOLDER TOM THOMPSON CELEBRATES HISTORIC KICK AT COLLEGE WHERE HE ENTERED THE RECORD BOOKS
/Author/Professor/Motivator Dr. Emmet C. (Tom) Thompson II Encourages Healthy, Fulfilled Lifestyle During Austin College Homecoming Celebration, Enjoys Multiple Appearances and Events with Family and Fans
Austin College's Homecoming weekend turned into a family celebration for NCAA record holder, Dr. Emmet C. (Tom) Thompson II, author of Get a Kick Out of Life. Pictured with Thompson (R) are family members (L to R): son Jon Rawles, wife Teresa, and daughter Rachel. (Tom Thompson photo)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (November 14, 2017) - On November 14, 2009, Dr. Emmet C. (Tom) Thompson II kicked his way into the record books. At age 61, he set two new NCAA records when he became the oldest football player in NCAA history and the oldest NCAA football player to score a point when he kicked the PAT (Point After Touchdown) in the second quarter of the game between Austin College and Trinity University. His Austin College jersey, number 91, is on revolving display at the College Football Hall of Fame.
Thompson recently celebrated that milestone at Austin College in Sherman, Texas, at the school's Homecoming weekend. In addition to his assistant coaching duties during the big game, Thompson signed copies of his latest inspirational and motivational book, Get a Kick Out of Life, at a special book signing event,shared stories with the school's alumni, and enjoyed some quality time with his family.
"I always enjoy having the opportunity to spend time visiting with the Austin College alums, and this year's Homecoming was really special because of my family's involvement during the weekend's events," says Thompson.
In addition to the book signing and his coaching duties, Thompson enjoyed the opportunity of hearing his wife, Teresa, singing the national anthem prior to the game; watching his daughter, Rachel, being honored as head cheerleader; and seeing his son, Jon Rawles, serving as the football team's ball boy during the Homecoming game.
"It's never too late to live your best life," says Thompson, a respected researcher in the fields of motivation and change, in his new book Get a Kick Out of Life. "You can harness the power of the body, mind, and soul to live your most fulfilling life yet!"
The book serves as a roadmap for living intentionally, setting attainable goals, keeping your body healthy through appropriate exercise and proper diet, pursuing your purpose in life and delving deeper into relationships with your friends and family.
Get a Kick Out of Life released on Tuesday, October 10, 2017, from Clovercroft Publishing, and is being distributed to the trade by Ingram Content Group, the world's largest distributor of printed content. For more information on Thompson and Get a Kick Out of Life, visit 91kick.com or like him on Facebook at facebook.com/91kick.
Dr. Emmet C. (Tom) Thompson II's latest book, Get a Kick Out of Life, released on Tuesday, October 10, 2017, from Clovercroft Publishing, and is distributed to the trade by Ingram Content Group, the world's largest distributor of printed content. (Cover design by Suzanne Lawing)
About Get a Kick Out of Life:Thompson's new book, which he co-wrote with Christopher P. Neck, Ph.D., a pioneer in the field of self leadership (Mastering Self Leadership: Empowering Yourself for Personal Excellence) and Alice Sullivan (co-author of Thompson's autobiography, Kick Start), builds on his background and reputation as an NCAA football record holder, physical fitness expert and academic researcher in the fields of motivation and change.
Thompson, who says his purpose in life is to encourage people of all ages to live healthy and fulfilled lives, to discover and reach their full potential, and to develop a deeper faith in the process, has expanded on his research to deliver Get a Kick Out of Life.
"We all set goals for ourselves every day," Thompson muses. "Wake up by 5:30. Respond to all emails in my inbox. Get the kids dressed in under 20 minutes. You might think of these as insignificant goals, but it isn't the size of the goal that matters. It's whether you consistently set achievable goals and reach them. In truth, these smaller goals can create great momentum for those larger goals on your list."
Thompson holds several advanced degrees, including his doctorate and two master's degrees, in Kinesiology, Organizational Leadership, Strategic Leadership, and Teaching. He lectures to both lay and academic groups and is the author of several books and numerous co-authored articles in peer reviewed academic journals.
With his impressive academic credentials, readers may be surprised to learn that as a young man, Thompson was a poor student and dropped out of college. A hard worker, however, he went on to two successful careers, in real estate and physical fitness. Then, at age 45, he found himself ready for a change. Upon the advice of some wise mentors, he decided to go back to school and finish his undergraduate degree in business management. To his surprise, he found that when he applied himself with a determined attitude, he became a successful student. He ended up going to school for eight straight years while earning his advanced degrees. After falling in love with academic research, he began his new career while completing his graduate studies.
Thompson first came to national attention in 2009, when, at age 61, he kicked his way into the record books, becoming the oldest football player in NCAA history and the oldest NCAA football player to score a point when he kicked the PAT (Point After Touchdown) in the second quarter of the game between Austin College and Trinity University. Thompson had originally decided to return to Austin College as a sexagenarian to complete another year of undergraduate work so that he would be eligible to play football.
It was during this time of setting goals in each major area of his life while he was practicing with the Austin College football team, going to school, and still being involved at home as a husband and father, that Thompson had an epiphany. He realized he could not succeed in all of these areas without goals and a vision of where he wanted to go, what he wanted to achieve, and a timeline for when he would reach the mark. Thompson realized that goal setting was the key for ordinary individuals, regardless of age, circumstances, or current level of ability, to achieve greatness in all areas of life.
Divided into three sections--Body, Mind, and Soul--Get a Kick Out of Life serves as a roadmap for living intentionally, setting attainable goals, keeping your body healthy through appropriate exercise and proper diet, pursuing your purpose in life and delving deeper into relationships with your friends and family.
"It's never too late to live your best life," Thompson declares in Get a Kick Out of Life. "You can harness the power of the body, mind, and soul to live your most fulfilling life yet!"
To learn more about Thompson and Get a Kick out of Life, visit 91kick.com or like him on Facebook at facebook.com/91kick.
Dr. Emmet C. (Tom) Thompson II first came to national attention in 2009, when, at age 61, he kicked his way into the record books, becoming the oldest football player in NCAA history and the oldest NCAA football player to score a point. (Roark Photography photo)
About Tom Thompson:
Dr. Emmet C. (Tom) Thompson II, D.S.L., M.S., M.A., entered the health and fitness industry after a 20-year career in commercial real estate. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from LeTourneau University, a Master of Science degree in Kinesiology from the University of North Texas, a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Organizational Leadership from Regent University, a Doctor of Strategic Leadership degree from Regent University, and a Master of Arts degree in Teaching from Austin College.
A former Board of Advisors member of the American Council on Martial Arts, Thompson is an American-born Tae Kwon Do grandmaster, holding the rank of 9th degree black belt. Thompson is also the Brand Ambassador for Evil Cowboy Hot Sauce, an heirloom Texas hot sauce company.
On November 14, 2009, Dr. Emmet C. (Tom) Thompson II kicked his way into the record books. At age 61, he became the oldest football player in NCAA history and the oldest NCAA football player to score a point when he kicked the PAT (Point After Touchdown) in the second quarter of the game between Austin College and Trinity University.
Thompson wrote his name in the record books, then went on to literally write the book on motivation for older adults who are approaching their golden years, as well as anyone seeking a career change, to seize their future with both hands. Thompson detailed his remarkable accomplishments in his motivational and autobiographical book, Kick Start: A Story of Overcoming Life's Obstacles to Inspire You to Kick Start Your Future, which he co-wrote with Alice Sullivan (Carpenter's Son Publishing).
Thompson, who is an active researcher in the fields of motivation and change, has also co-authored numerous articles in peer reviewed academic journals, as well as the book Fit To Lead: The Proven 8-week Solution for Shaping Up Your Body, Your Mind, and Your Career (St. Martin's Press), which he co-authored with Christopher P. Neck and Charles C. Manz (respected pioneers in the field of self leadership, and co-authors of Mastering Self Leadership: Empowering Yourself for Personal Excellence) and Tedd L. Mitchell (president of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, former CEO of the Cooper Clinic, and former health editor for USA Weekend).
Thompson has now expanded on his research to deliver his upcoming book, Get a Kick Out of Life: Expect the Best of Your Body, Mind, and Soul at Any Age, co-written with Christopher P. Neck, (Mastering Self Leadership), along with Alice Sullivan (Kick Start). The new book releasedfrom Clovercroft Publishing on October 10, 2017 ($15.99) and is distributed to the trade by Ingram Content Group, the world's largest distributor of printed content. To learn more about Thompson and Get a Kick Out of Life, visit 91kick.com or like him on Facebook at facebook.com/91kick.
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