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ORDER OF THE BOARD OF ALDERS DESIGNATING THE CORNER OF CHAPEL STREET AND ELLA T. GRASSO BOULEVARD AS "COACH WILLIAM THOMPSON WAY" TO HONOR WILLIAM THOMPSON, BELOVED COACH OF THE NEW HAVEN AGE GROUP TRACK CLUB AND RESPECTED MENTOR FOR SO MANY YOUNG CITY ATHLETES.
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WHEREAS: William Thompson, known as "Coach T", was a beloved coach of the New Haven Age Group Track Club for more than 38 years, assuming the rule of head coach after the founder retired; and
WHEREAS: he coached thousands of children, and served as mentor and advocate for so many New Haven youths in leading this great Track Club; and
WHEREAS: Mr. Thompson loved track and his athletes, and instilled in them the importance of academics, respect, love and hard work, while earning the respect of athletes, parents and coaches from across Connecticut and several other states; and
WHEREAS: a humble, unselfish man, Mr. Thompson spent countless hours over the years at Bowen Field and Edgewood Park volunteering his time, energies and expertise as a coach for the New Haven Age Group Track Club; and
WHEREAS: Mr. Thompson's commitment and concern for the children was so genuine and heartfelt that he kept in touch with them when they went on to attend high school and college, continuing to inspire and motivate them; and
WHEREAS: though he passed away in 2014, his legacy lives on in recalling his devotion to the Track Club he served as role model, father figure and mentor, as well as the positive impact he had on the enrichment and personal development of the lives of so many individuals across the City of New Haven; and
WHEREAS: on numerous weekends, Mr. Thompson could be seen sitting on the bench at the corner of Chapel Street and Ella T. Grasso Boulevard in coaching his athletes, so it is altogether fitting that the corner at that intersection, which lies on the boundary between Ward 24 and Ward 26, be named in his honor; and
WHEREAS: in requesting this tribute to express gratitude and admi...
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