Feb. 7, 2006

COLUMBIA, Mo. - Edith Thompson, the director of women's basketball operations at the University of Missouri, has been named Mentor of the Year by the Women's Intersport Network (WIN) for Columbia. Thompson was named the recipient at the organizations's ninth annual awards banquet this afternoon at Columbia College.

In her third season as director of basketball operations and fifth season overall on Cindy Stein's staff, Thompson earned the award for her academic work with the women's basketball team. Her award nomination stated, "Edith's whole day is dedicated to the student-athlete's progress academically, personally and athletically."

As supervisor of the team's academic success, Thompson works closely with the team's academic advisors to monitor classes, grades, tutor sessions, and degree progress. In addition to her academic monitoring, her duties include organizing travel arrangements, and acting as the staff liaison with the ticket office and development staff. Thompson also manages the Sixth Stripe Club, the official booster club of the women's basketball program, serves as the assistant director of summer camps and directs the program's community service and season-ticket efforts.