In 1950 H. B. “Bus” Thompson began a career at Fisk University in Nashville which brought him and the school national recognition for over twenty-eight years. There are few roles Thompson did not play while at Fisk. He served as athletic director from 1954 to 1978, head basketball coach from 1950 to 1970, head football coach from 1950 to 1955, and head track coach from 1956 to 1960. During his tenure, Fisk won eighteen Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships including three in basketball, two in football, three in baseball, seven in track, and three in tennis. He represented Fisk on various NCAA councils and committees, as well as serving on the NAIA Executive Committee, NAIA Basketball Committee, the National Youth Sports Program Advisory Board, the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics Executive Committee, the International Olympic Committee, and the National Athletic Steering Committee. In addition, Thompson served as president of the SIAC from 1975 to 1978. A member of many halls of fame, including the Helms Hall of Fame and the NACDA Hall of Fame, Thompson was also voted SIA “Coach of the Year” in 1963. An all-state high school athlete in West Virginia and an All-American honoree while at Bluefield State College, Thompson spent one year in professional football with the New York Brown Bombers. Prior to his career at Fisk, Thompson also coached at Morristown College, Kimball High School, and Morris Brown College.
