Athletic Lives of Distinction - M - Z
S - Z
Thompson, Charles A. '28 - Track
After graduating from Ridley, Charles attended Western University, where he played varsity football—helping the team win the 1931 Yates Cup Championship. But Charles didn’t just play football; he was also an exceptional track athlete. He competed in the 100- and 225-yard events, and set the Western record in high hurdles.
But when he went on to post-graduate medical studies at McGill University, this two-sport athlete faced an even bigger hurdle: parental expectations. Son-in-law Jim Belton recounts the story as Charlie told it: “His father made it very clear to him that, as he was only an average student, he was not to play football while at McGill. However, it is my understanding that the football coach asked Charlie to play, saying he would not play against Western, thus his father would likely not be aware of his football involvement. This worked for a while until his father was at the movie theatre in London; there on the Movietone News was Charlie, receiving a pass from the McGill quarterback.” And that was the end of his football career.
Fortunately, his father didn’t veto all athletic involvement; Charlie went on to win championships with McGill's track and field team from 1934-36.
But when he went on to post-graduate medical studies at McGill University, this two-sport athlete faced an even bigger hurdle: parental expectations. Son-in-law Jim Belton recounts the story as Charlie told it: “His father made it very clear to him that, as he was only an average student, he was not to play football while at McGill. However, it is my understanding that the football coach asked Charlie to play, saying he would not play against Western, thus his father would likely not be aware of his football involvement. This worked for a while until his father was at the movie theatre in London; there on the Movietone News was Charlie, receiving a pass from the McGill quarterback.” And that was the end of his football career.
Fortunately, his father didn’t veto all athletic involvement; Charlie went on to win championships with McGill's track and field team from 1934-36.
“Dedication, commitment, teamwork and continued learning lead to success.”
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With more than 700 students from 60 countries, the largest boarding programme in Ontario and the third largest in Canada, Ridley College is a truly international, co-educational, day and boarding school of the world that prepares students for the world. It has provided enriching learning and life-shaping experiences focused on the arts, academics, and athletics since 1889. Ridley’s Lower School offers JK-Grade 8, its Upper School consists of Grade 9-PG, and Ridley graduates attend some of the top universities and colleges around the world. Ridley is the only co-ed independent boarding school in Canada and one of only three in North America authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum programme.
