THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 23, 1994 TAG: 9409230709
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JULIE GOODRICH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 52 lines
The first thing that hits you is The Smile.
It is wide, inviting and reminiscent of the Cheshire Cat in ``Alice In Wonderland.''
Just five minutes - 10, tops - in the company of Old Dominion University soccer player Geof Thompson, and he's converted you. Before you know it, that irrepressible grin has made you a fan.
``He is a character - very charismatic, very infectious,'' Monarchs coach Ralph Perez said. ``He is the big personality on our team.''
Although in the past Thompson's statistics haven't been impressive, he's off to a fast start in his senior season. Through four games, Thompson has scored four points on a goal and two assists. He netted only nine points in his previous three seasons combined.
``I've never been a player who racks up the big numbers,'' said Thompson, a midfielder. ``But I know the goals will come with good play.''
One explanation for Thompson's above-average play this year is that he's seeing the field from an entirely different perspective. Normally on the wing, Thompson is playing this season in the middle, where scoring opportunities are plentiful.
It's also a more difficult position, according to Perez, because ``the pressure comes at you from all angles, not just one side.''
If Thompson is now hitting his stride on the field, his performance in the classroom has been a model of consistency. His grade-point average has never fallen below 3.0, and he's a dean's list student. He's on time to graduate in four years with a degree in accounting.
``Hitting the books has always been my main priority. I know a degree is what's going to get me somewhere in life,'' Thompson said.
He's been a success in the classroom as well as on the field. But Thompson says the most satisfying part of his life has been his effect on others.
``I think I interact well with people, and they react well to me,'' Thompson said. ``I'm pretty easy to get along with . . . always kidding around and joking.''
It is a testament to Thompson's character that his teammates voted him ``most inspirational'' last season. He sees himself as a mentor to younger Monarchs.
``I think I'm someone that the other guys look up to and feel comfortable talking with,'' said Thompson, one of three captains on the team. ``I don't want to say that I'm a father figure. I'm more like a big-brother type. I take them under my wing and try to help - not just with soccer, but with personal or scholastic problems as well.'' by CNB