Dale Thompson, who coached Greeley Central High School to six consecutive appearances in the Colorado State High School Basketball Tournament, died Monday from cancer. He was 81.
He was the head basketball coach at Greeley Central for eight years in the late 1960s and early 1970s after serving as an assistant to Jim Baggot.
One of Greeley Central’s most memorable games during Thompson’s term was in the 1970 state tournament against Cherry Creek. Cherry Creek won the back-and-forth game 60-59 on two free throws with four seconds left.
“We attended a couple of Greeley Central’s games this past season,” said Hank Thompson, Dale’s son. “I remember him when he was strong and well. He had a full life and many great experiences.”
Dale Thompson often talked of the basketball glory days at Greeley Central.
“We filled the house in those days – the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s,” Thompson said a few years ago. “We filled the gym again when we had a reunion of our 1962 team.”
Thompson is an inductee in the Colorado High School Activities Association’s Hall of Fame.
Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday, April 21.
This story has been corrected. Because of a reporter’s error, the funeral for Dale Thompson was mistakenly published as being held on Saturday, April 14. The funeral will be Saturday, April 21.
