Elite volleyball has brought out the best in Courtney Thompson.
The sport has opened the door to many opportunities – the chance to play with the best against the best, a chance to see the world.
Thompson – one of the country’s most decorated players, a 2012 Olympic Games silver medalist and 2014 FIVB World champion – came home this past weekend to share the game that she loves, reunite with friends and contribute to a worthy cause.
By returning to a familiar neighborhood, she has come full circle.
“This is where I started so it’s really fun to give back to the community that has allowed me to have all these experiences,” said Thompson, pausing between instruction and drills at a Give It Back Camp for youth at Kentwood High School.
“I’m just thankful for everyone in Kent who has helped us put this on.”
Thompson, a former Kentlake High and University of Washington star who has gone on to a successful international career, joined 10 of her teammates from the USA National squad to lead the two-day camp.
“It’s definitely a great opportunity, and I’m glad I decided to do it,” said Olivia Alexander, a 6-foot outside hitter and junior-to-be at Sumner High who was one of 130 girls at the camp. “Courtney has been everything. She’s been great.”
The Give It Back Foundation, an effort Thompson co-founded, sponsored the camp, which is designed to inspire athletes to “lead, play and compete” on the court and in life.
“We’re hoping they all will become better versions of themselves and celebrate their uniqueness,” Thompson said. “We want them to understand that learning is a process that never ends, and really, the fun is committing in the process.
“And we want to preach competing – to be the best that they can be every single day.”
Proceeds from the camp, which was run in partnership with Puget Sound Volleyball, benefited the Children’s Therapy Center in Kent.
“Children’s Therapy Center has been a big part of my family’s life for as long as I can remember,” Thompson said. “For over 30 years, my mom (Linda) has worked at CTC as a pediatric physical therapist, helping children who have disabilities or delays in their development.”
Thompson’s mom, who recently retired, still works as a consultant for CTC, one of the largest and most comprehensive pediatric therapy programs in the state. The center serves thousands of families as a nonprofit in the Seattle-Tacoma area.
“My mom has been my hero for as long as I can remember, and a lot of that comes from seeing her passion and care for other people through her work at CTC,” Thompson added.
Players give back to their communities
Each of the 28 members on Team USA are given a chance to host a Give It Back Camp in their home towns, with proceeds going to a beneficiary of their choice.
The players volunteer their time to teach youth the fundamentals and strategy.
“These are the LeBron Jameses of volleyball … and to have all the players here is pretty special,” said Jenné Blackburn, executive director and co-founder of the Give It Back Foundation. “By having all the players come together makes for the most value for the camp … to see elite-level athletes coaching the next generation of players.”
For Team USA, the camps come as rare, off-week periods between international tournaments, Olympic qualifiers and 2016 Olympic Game tryouts.
The Americans recently won their sixth FIVB World Grand Prix title.
The U.S., ranked No. 1 in the world by the FIVB, now embarks on an unprecedented 12-month run of international play, with the focus immediately shifting to the first Olympic qualifier, the World Cup in Japan on Aug. 22-Sept. 6.
Thompson, at 30, is one of the oldest and most experienced players. She is determined to make the 12-member roster for the Summer Games next August in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
“We’re all gunning for that,” said Thompson, a 5-foot-7 setter who has been on Team USA since 2007.
Thompson’s resume is impressive.
At Kentlake, Thompson led the Falcons to three state volleyball championships and also earned all-state honors in basketball as a senior. She was valedictorian of her graduating class.
At UW, Thompson was a catalyst, one of the driving forces behind the Huskies’ 2005 NCAA title season. When she left Montlake, she set the Pac-10 record for career assists with 6,552, which was third-best in NCAA history.
She was the first female player at UW to have her collegiate jersey retired.
Thompson was a three-time American Volleyball Coaches Association All-America first-team selection and ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American.
“I have always felt, not to sound cocky or anything, I am here to do something special,” she said. “I know I can do it.”
With a heavy schedule, frequent travel and intense play just ahead, Thompson appreciated the pause last weekend to come home and enjoy family and friends.
“It’s amazing. It’s a pretty surreal day. It’s just cool, like all my worlds are colliding,” Thompson said of the camp experience. “I have some of the most incredible teammates here. They all volunteered to come up here and just make the difference and connect with kids. We’re all doing it for a good cause. Everybody wins today.”
To learn more or to donate, visit www.giveitbackfoundation.org.
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PHOTO BELOW:
Former Kentlake High star Courtney Thompson offers advice at a two-day volleyball camp at Kentwood High. MARK KLAAS, Kent Reporter
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