March 27, 2008

Washington DC - On May 15, legendary Georgetown basketball coach John R. Thompson Jr. will be recognized by IONA Senior Services as the recipient of the 2008 Outstanding Citizen Award. The Hall of Fame Coach will be recognized at the Annual "Life in Bloom" Gala at the Four Season's Hotel beginning at 6:30 p.m.. Georgetown alumni and boosters are welcome to come and honor the Coach Thompson. Tickets are now on sale and sponsorships are still available. Call (202) 895-9416 or visit www.iona.org for more information.

Previous distinguished recipients include: Art Buchwald; John Glenn; Katherine Graham; James Cardinal Hickey; President and Mrs. George H. W. Bush and Daniel Schorr, to name just a few.

All proceeds of the Gala will benefit IONA Senior Services is a nonprofit community organization located in northwest Washington, DC. IONA is dedicated to enabling older people to live with dignity and independence. Through its professional staff, corps of volunteers and close collaboration with other organizations, IONA provides services and access to programs designed to meet the needs of seniors and their families. IONA educates and advocates in order toachieve a deeper understanding of, and a strong community commitment to, senior citizens.

IONA Senior Services was established in 1975 to respond to the growing needs and number of people aged 60 years and older. It has received wide recognition as a model agency for providing community- and home-based professional and volunteer assistance to seniors and their caregivers. Thirty-three churches and synagogues are members of IONA. More than 40 professional employees and 600 volunteers working in close collaboration with numerous community and government organizations provide services that meet the needs of seniors and their families.

The winningest coach in Georgetown's history, John R. Thompson Jr. coached Georgetown from 1972-1999. During his tenure he achieved an overall record of 596- 239, guided the Hoyas to 24 consecutive post season appearances, maintained a graduation rate of (97%- 76 of 78 students who stayed four years) and saw 26 of his players drafted by the NBA (8 in the first round). He established a program which was a standard bearer for the BIG EAST Conference with 7 regular season Championships and 6 BIG EAST Tournament championships. His teams: won a National Championship (1984), appeared in three Final Fours (1982, 1984, 1985) and played in 20 NCAA Tournaments, 14 appearances being consecutive.

He was named "Coach of the Year" a total of seven times. The BIG EAST Conference, in the 1991-92 season named him Coach of the Year for the third time (having previously awarded him this title in 1979-80 and 1986-87). The United States Basketball Writers Association and "The Sporting News" recognized him in 1983-84. The National Association of Basketball Coaches acknowledged him in 1984-85 and United Press International chose him in 1986-87.

The 1988 Olympic Head Coach in Men's Basketball for the USA, his team captured a bronze medal in Seoul. Mr. Thompson was also an assistant coach for the 1976 Olympic team, which won a Gold Medal in Montreal and was a member of the selection committee for the 1984 Olympic team, which won a gold medal in Los Angeles.

A major figure in and out of the coaching profession, John Thompson is a 1999 inductee into the Basketball Hall of Fame. He is a past president of the National Association of Basketball Coaches and has served on their board of directors. He has been a consultant and spokesman for Nike and is a member of its board of directors. He is one of the founders of 4-H in the nation's capital. He established Georgetown's "Kids and Cops" program, which annually gives away 10,000 tickets to Hoya basketball games. His protest of "proposition 42" focused national attention on issues of economic and educational discrimination.

Mr. Thompson's bachelor degree from Providence College was in economics, but he also holds a master's degree in guidance and counseling from the University of the District of Columbia. He has received honorary degrees from Georgetown University, St. Peter's College, Wheeling College and most recently from the University of the District of Columbia. He holds the titles of Coach Emeritus and Presidential Consultant for Urban Affairs at Georgetown University. He has received the two highest awards which Georgetown University can confer: the President's Award and the Patrick Healy Award.

Prior to his arrival at Georgetown, John Thompson was a highly successful high school coach, amassing a record of 122-28 at St. Anthony's High School in Washington DC. Before that, he played on two Boston Celtic World Championship teams under the tutelage of fellow Hall of Famer, Red Auerbach. While attending Providence College, Thompson led the Friars to the NIT Championship in 1963 and was named "New England Player of the Year" in the following season. The Providence College Student Congress named him "Most Outstanding Senior". Before college, Thompson led his John Carroll High School team to 55 consecutive victories and two city championships