Thompson looks to be big with Warriors
By By Tony Krausz/staff writer
February 22, 2003
It was a day six years in the making.
As gray clouds released a steady stream of water onto the land outside, Clarkdale senior sweeper Ted Thompson inked his name on a letter of intent to play for East Central Community College next year.
The dream may have started for the young player in the seventh grade, but the foundation to continue his career at the next level was laid long before his days with the Bulldogs.
The teenager started playing soccer in the 10-and-under league.
The young player split a lot of his time between the pitch and the baseball diamond keeping his mother, Gail Rahaim, very busy in her driving duties.
Thompson dedicated his athletic focus to soccer six years ago giving up his other two athletic passions baseball and basketball.
He decided he needed to focus on one sport in order to give himself the chance to continue his athletic career.
Thompson's focus on soccer allowed to find an instant home on Clarkdale's squad.
After playing offense his entire career, he was moved to the defensive end as the team's sweeper.
Thompson anchored a defense that allowed just 17 goals last season, and he brought to the team the intangible of being able to make the players around him better, while playing at a high individual level.
The sacrifice of giving up other sports paid off for the young Bulldog, and the joy of the achievement was obvious thanks to the look on his mother's face.
Rahaim stood behind her son as he signed with ECCC, and she fought back tears of joy, with a smile going from ear-to-ear across her face, throughout the signing process.
Taylor reflected Thompson's mother's happiness on the big day.
ECCC head soccer coach Kenneth Thompson said he plans to insert Thompson into the Warriors' lineup right away.
Thompson will occupy the sweeper position for ECCC, and he will be required to continue being a leader on the field for his new squad.
Thompson plans to major in nursing at ECCC, and he said he would like to continue his playing career at a SEC school after graduating from the junior college.
The sweeper also wants to be the first in his family to finish college.
The day was a long time coming, and the senior could barely express how great it felt to have the chance to continue his career.
