Welcome To The Forest, Coach Thompson!
January 26, 2022
Carolina Forest recently welcomed a new family member, Ina Thompson, as our new athletic director! She will be overseeing our sports programs.
Thompson has been in the educational field for about 34 years. For the past 16 years, she has been at Porter Ridge High School in Indian Trail, North Carolina, where she was a math teacher and their women’s head varsity basketball coach. In 2016, she took over as the Athletic Director there.
Athletic directors exhibit leadership skills in supervising the day-to-day operations of the athletic department. They are responsible for managing the budgets and finances for the program. There are several qualities and characteristics one needs to possess to be able to do this job. Some of these qualities include a strong sense of character judgment, communication skills, along with a passion for athletics and leadership.
Coach Thompson loves being able to work with students and see what they accomplish in the four years that she is with them.
“I love the connections that I can make with the students, coaches and community,” Thompson shares.
Many coaches and teachers are extremely excited to have a new AD.
Coach Karst mentions, “She is personable, professional and easy to talk to. I’m excited about working with her for the betterment of Carolina Forest athletics.”
Athletic directors and athletic trainers work hand-in- hand.
Mackenzie Heck, one of our CF athletic trainers, comments,” We are excited to be working with Coach Thompson. She brings a variety of experiences with her. We know the sports medicine program at Carolina Forest will benefit from her leadership.”
Sports has always been a passion for Coach Thompson with her dad being her biggest inspiration.
Thompson adds,” I was raised by my dad, and he did a remarkable job being a single parent. He passed away in 2014, but I always carry so much of him within me.”
We wish the best to Coach Thompson and are looking forward to seeing what she has in store for CFHS Athletics.
