Terry Thompson was born and raised in Humboldt, Iowa and graduated from Humboldt High School in 1978 where he earned varsity letters in football, basketball and track. He was on of the top sprinters in class 3A finishing 3rd and 5th in the 100m dash at the state meet and qualifying in the 100 at the Drake Relays both his junior and senior years.
Terry became a registered official with the IHSAA in 1977 working football and basketball games for youth leagues while attending high school.
After high school, Terry attended Iowa State where he lettered in track. He competed in several meets for the Cyclones earning a 3rd place finish in the 100m dash at the Big 4 Championships. One of Terry’s career highlights was running workouts with an Olympic gold medalist, but injuries ended his running career and Terry became a coaching assistant.
While at Iowa State, then assistant coach, Steve Lynn knew Terry wanted to become a track starter. Coach Lynn asked Terry to be the assistant starter, then a co-starter for ISU home meets in the early 1980’s.
In 1984 Terry took over as Head Starter at Iowa State and is entering his 33rd year in that role.
In 2004 & 2005 Terry was selected to serve as a starter for the NCAA Indoor Championships at the University of Arkansas. He has since served as a starter for 12 NCAA Championship events.
Terry joined the Drake Relays starting crew in 2008 where he currently starts the University and Elite divisions and has had the opportunity to start events featuring many of the best athletes in the world.
Terry has been a starter for over 40 college conference championships including the Iowa Conference, Missouri Valley, Big8/Big 12 and Big 10 conferences.
He has also been very active at the high school level where he has been a state Cross Country meet starter since 2003; Girls State Indoor starter 2007-2011; Chief Umpire at the State Outdoor meets since 2010; starter at many State Qualifying meets and a Drake Relays official since 1999.
In 2007 Terry was inducted in to the I-H-S-A-A Officials Hall of Fame. He was a founding board member of the IATO, serving as vice-president in 2002-2003 and president 2004-2005
Terry has been selected as IATO Official of the year for Girls Track in 2000, Cross Country in 2005 and the Iowa Official of the Year by the NFHS 3 times.
Recently retired after serving 25 years as a Paramedic, Terry and his wife Annette reside in Ames. He continues to keep busy with a full track and field and cross country schedule as well as working security at area events.