WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - July 9, 2024 – The Winston-Salem State University Department of Athletics has announced the hiring of Hall of Famer, Corey Thompson as the head men’s basketball coach.

“I consider it a privilege to hire the first WSSU  Men’s Basketball Alum to lead our Rams Men’s Basketball team,” said Director of Athletics, Etienne Thomas.  “Corey Thompson brings a complete body of work with him from his lived experiences as a student-athlete, assistant coach, head coach, husband, father, educator, and Hall of Fame Champion and I look forward to his leadership and partnership as we continue to protect the legacy.” 

Thompson was named the tenth head coach in the men’s basketball program in the summer of 2024 and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge back to the C.E. Gaines Center.

“Returning home to WSSU fills me with great pride and honor,” said Thompson. “I am dedicated to upholding and protecting the legacy built by the incredible teams of the past and present. Having once walked the same paths as the young men I now have the privilege to lead, I am committed to motivating and supporting them just as I was supported over twenty-two years ago. I eagerly anticipate collaborating with the administration, students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community. Dreams do come true! Ramily, Let’s Go!”

Thompson who won two back-to-back CIAA championships with the Rams under legendary Rickey Duckett is a four-year letterman holder, had four straight NCAA appearances from 1998-2002, and won Most Improved Player in 1999. Thompson and his team were inducted into the C.E. “Big House” Gaines Hall of Fame in 2012.

Thompson spent the previous eight seasons as the Boys’ Varsity Basketball Coach at St. Paul High School. In four years, they won consecutive conference championships. They advanced to eight successive state play-offs and in his first season, St. Pauls’ advanced to the second round of the state playoffs defeating the reigning state champions.

From 2011-2016, Thompson was the Associate Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Fayetteville State University and also had stints at the University of North Carolina Pembroke as the Associate Head Men’s Basketball Coach from 2006-2011. While at UNC Pembroke he helped lead his big men to the seventh-best rebounding margin (+8.0) in the nation during the 2010-11 campaign. They also finished 36th in the nation in both field-goal percentage defense (40.9) and blocked shots per game (4.2).
He was a volunteer assistant coach at WSSU from 2004-2005.

Thompson started his career as a graduate assistant coach at Slipper Rock in 2002-2004. He obtained his bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation from Winston-Salem State University in 2002 and his master's in Parks and Recreation Management from Slippery Rock in 2004.

He is originally from Lumberton, North Carolina, and is married to former WSSU Women’s basketball player Kesi Nobles (1997-2001) and has three children, Tyson Thompson (16), Leah Thompson (13), and Chelsey Thompson (10).

CONTACT: Airis Thomas (336-750-2143)

About Winston-Salem State University
Winston-Salem State University fosters the creative thinking, analytical problem-solving, and depth of character needed to transform the world. Rooted in liberal education, WSSU's curriculum prepares students to be thought leaders who have the skills and knowledge needed to develop innovative solutions to complex problems. Founded in 1892, WSSU is a historically Black constituent institution of the University of North Carolina with a rich tradition of contributing to the social, cultural, intellectual, and economic growth of North Carolina, the region, and beyond. Guided by the motto, "Enter to Learn, Depart to Serve," WSSU develops leaders who advance social justice by serving the world with compassion and commitment. For more information, visit www.wssu.edu

About the CIAA 

Founded in 1912, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is the first, and longest running, African American athletic conference in the U.S. and one of the most recognized conferences in Division II. The CIAA conducts 14 championships attended by more than 150,000 fans from around the country. The Basketball Tournament has been honored as a 2019 Champion of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism by Sports Destination Management, the leading publication with the largest circulation of sports event planners and tournament directors in the sports tourism market, for both 2018 and 2019. 

Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the CIAA is governed by the Presidents and Chancellors of its 13 member institutions: Bowie State University, Bluefield State University, Claflin University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Livingstone College, Saint Augustine's University, Shaw University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, and Winston-Salem State University. For more information on the CIAA, visit theciaa.com, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.