OUTSTANDING COACH

Induction Year: 2017

Galen E. "Tuffy" Thompson was born in Troy, Ohio, to the late Francis and Martha Thompson. He is one of four children with a brother, Jack, and two sisters, Linda and Shirley. His older brother is credited with nicknaming him "Tuffy" at the age of four. A fitting name that followed him throughout his adult life.

Tuffy played both football and baseball at Troy High School. As a member of the infamous 1961 football team, he played along side college All-Americans Tommy Vaughn and Tommy Myers. After graduating, he attended Ohio University receiving his Bachelors Degree in Education. He then went on to get his Masters Degree from Xavier University.

Tuffy began his teaching and coaching career in 1966 with the Miami East School District in Casstown, Ohio. He taught physical education in the elementary schools and was assistant football coach for the Vikings under head coach Bill Jones. In 1969, he was contacted by Bill Earhart, a former high school classmate, teammate, and head football coach at the newly opened Park Hills High School in Fairborn, Ohio. Tuffy accepted a position teaching special education and an assistant coaching position. After one season, Coach Earhart resigned and was replaced by Tom Stephenson for season two. In 1971, Tuffy was named as the head coach for the Park Hills Vikings. This season would be Park Hills first year with all three upper classes. During his tenure, he guided the 76’ team to a 9-1 record and the MCC Championship. To this day, the 76’ team is regarded as the best football team in Fairborn’s history. Tuffy also had another league championship in the 1973 Mad River Valley Champs who went 8-2. He would remain the head coach until his resignation in May of 1981. He remained in the Fairborn School System as a teacher and Dean of Students until his retirement in 2002.

Tuffy soon found himself involved in community sports programs coaching his son’s baseball team and daughter’s softball team.He also helped other members of the Enon Ohio Community establish and build a successful pee wee football program. His involvement with the Enon Knights included coaching the senior division.

In 1991, he returned to high school football accepting the position of defensive coordinator at Tecumseh High School under head coach Mike Lucas. The following year, Bob DeLong became head coach. In 1998, the Arrows won the CBC Championship with a 10-0 record and went to the playoffs for the first time in Tecumseh history. They coached 13 years together at Tecumseh High School. In 2005, Kent Massie took over the helm as head coach and the winning seasons continued during his 10 years with seven playoff appearances since 2006. The parallels of Tecumseh’s winning tradition and Tuffy’s tenure are not a coincidence.

He was an integral part in the Arrow’s making nine playoff appearances and league championships with his Black Attack defense over his 24 years at Tecumseh.

During his years of coaching, he received recognition for his coaching. He was selected as an assistant coach for the 1975 North-South All Star game in Canton, Ohio. He was inducted into the Miami Valley Football Coaches Association Assistant Coaches Hall of Fame in 2009. In 2015, he was awarded the Shane Hines award for his dedication to Tecumseh Football.

In addition to coaching, Tuffy taught special education and was the truant officer for Tecumseh Local Schools.

Tuffy’s family wishes to thank his friends, coaches and players, school administration, and members of the football family. Weare honored that he was chosen to be inducted into the Tecumseh Athletic Hall of Fame.