A nonprofit publication of the Kentucky Center for Public Service Journalism

EKU Baseball Coach Edwin Thompson named Samaritan’s Feet’s ‘Barefoot Coach of the Year’


Eastern Kentucky University head baseball coach Edwin Thompson was chosen as a “Barefoot Coach of the Year” by Samaritan’s Feet International, the organization recently announced.
 
Thompson joins St. John’s men’s basketball head coach Mike Anderson and South Dakota State head football coach John Stiegelmeier as the 2019 “Barefoot Coaches of the Year.” 
 

EKU Baseball Coach Edwin Thompson (Photo provided)


Overall, these coaches’ involvement with Samaritan’s Feet impacted thousands of people around the globe. Each coach will receive his award at the Samaritan’s Feet Champions of Hope Weekend retreat in Amelia Island, Florida on May 2 – 5.
 
Thompson has coached games barefoot for Samaritan’s Feet during the past two baseball seasons and will do so again on Saturday, May 4 when the Colonels play host to Tennessee Tech. His team and staff, have hosted and volunteered at shoe distributions in Madison County each of the past three years, serving a total of 753 children. Thompson has rallied his team, school, and area around the cause and has fundraised to help support these events.
 
“I am humbled and honored to be selected as Samaritan’s Feet Barefoot Coach of the Year,” said Thompson. “I am grateful for the support of my players, coaches and staff as well as anyone who contributed to this amazing cause. I also want to thank President Michael Benson and Director of Athletics Stephen Lochmueller for taking part in our service events the past few years. I want to thank Ashley Taylor, and all the Madison County teachers, who help coordinate all the kids and for their support that last three years! The biggest winners are the Madison County children who we impact directly.”
 
Each of these coaches have demonstrated the fives pillars of being a barefoot coach: giving a voice to the voiceless, creating awareness for Samaritan’s Feet, providing shoes to impoverished children, enhancing the image for coaches, schools, athletes and the NCAA through courageous efforts, and providing multiple opportunities to engage people in a life of service.
 
Previous Barefoot Coaches of the Year include Sue Semrau, Florida State University (2018); Joe Kimell, University of Mary (2017); Brian Jones, University of North Dakota (2016); Jeff Jones, Old Dominion University (2015); Saul Phillips, Ohio (2014); John Calipari, University of Kentucky (2013); Scom Nagy, Wright State University (2012); Brad Stevens, previously of Butler University (2011); William Knopf, Glenforest School (2010); and Ron Hunter, Georgia State University (2009).

Editor’s Note: Samaritan Feet provided shoes for over 2500 NKY schoolchildren last fall. It is an international nonprofit dedicated to providing shoes to children around the world.


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