Noel Thompson competed for Freeport High School on Long Island, where he was an undefeated state champion in 1998. He earned All-American honors at the USA Wrestling Junior Nationals, and was also a folkstyle national All-American. He wrestled for respected coach Terry Haise in high school.
College Graduate from Hofstra University in 2004 with a degree in marketing. He wrestled for four years and was a three-time team captain. He was a four-time NCAA qualifier ‒ making the All-American Round three times ‒ and amassed 130 career wins.[1] Thompson was awarded the Howdy Myers Award as Hofstra's Outstanding Male Athlete. He was inducted into the Wrestling Hall Of Fame in 2014.[2]
He became the first African-American to serve in the role of Team Leader for the U.S. Women's program,[3] and has been a leading advocate for providing opportunities for all to wrestle throughout his career.[4]