When it comes to projects in support of Mansfield, Roger Thompson has been available for nearly a half century. Since graduating Mansfield High School 44 years ago, the former Tiger quarterback has been more than generous with his time and money to help area youth activities and civic organizations.
Just last week, Thompson stopped by MHS to deliver a hefty donation to the school’s cross country program. This latest gift of generosity was targeted to offset the costs of hosting the 2022 Farm Bureau River Valley All-Star Cross Country Meet. Laney Wood, a two-time All-State distance runner from Mansfield, was there to accept Thompson’s personal check.
“Roger Thompson has been involved in this particular project for the past several seasons,” offered Wood’s cross country coach and Mansfield athletic director John Mackey. “I think it’s wonderful that we can have a current student-athlete be present when these types of gifts come our way. It’s a treat for both parties to see real Tiger Pride in action.”
Thompson, who is in his 29th year as an agent of Farm Bureau Insurance, has been willing to invest in the Mansfield community for generations. It was a decision he consciously crafted while growing up in the same place of his grandparents, parents, and eventually his own children.
“I’m proud to be a lifelong Mansfield Tiger,” said Thompson in a recent email correspondence to Mackey. “I attended all 12 years of schooling at Mansfield and graduated MHS in 1978. My grandparents, parents, and children all attended Mansfield schools. My grandfather, Lester Nixon, is in the Mansfield Hall of Fame.”
This recent example of giving back is just the latest in a long ledger of occurrences that have played out over decades in the community. In the last few months alone, Thompson has contributed in some way to at least four different MHS sports teams. This is on top of lending a helping hand to academic and civic organizations as well.
From an athletic perspective, Mansfield’s AD outlined the Thompson effect in just the past four months. The following summarizes those moments.
In August, Thompson joined the Lady Tiger track team in celebration of their 2022 indoor state championship as a ring sponsor.
In September, the insurance agent committed to offering “player of the game” footballs to the Mansfield football squad as part of the Farm Bureau recognition program.
In October, he added commemorative laptop carry cases to team gift bags for every coach in the Mansfield hosted class 2A state volleyball tournament.
Then in November, Thompson assisted the local All-Star cross country meet with enough support to pay for medals and uniforms for 53 athletes from 35 schools.
That was exactly 8 days after serving as an honorary captain at the Mansfield versus Hackett senior night football contest. As you may recall, that game played out in the aftermath of a damaging storm that hit the area on Friday, November 4. Suffice it to say, Thompson excused himself a bit early to go serve his insured clients that very night.
Service and sponsorship have been a part of Thompson’s track record since the early 1980’s. He graduated from Ouachita Baptist University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion in 1982. Soon after, he spent some 23 years as a high school basketball official. He was president of the Suburban Youth Baseball League for 20 years even after his kids had aged out of the association. He was a local District Commissioner of Babe Ruth Baseball for 5 years, and served on the Mansfield School Board for another 5 years.
“Roger played quarterback and defensive safety at Mansfield High School some forty years ago,” stated Mackey. “Those were valuable lessons he learned way back then. I think he has been quarterbacking and defending for the sake of kids ever since.”
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