This month, we pause to remember the life and legacy of Clint Thompson. Clint was a great athletic trainer and a member of our Hall of Fame. He was also instrumental in the development of the Journal of Athletic Training into the publication it is today. The following appeared in the 1999 paper by Ken Knight and Clint entitled “44 Years of ‘The Journal'”1 :
Clint Thompson has served the Journal longest (29 years, including 14 years as Editor) and in the most positions (5). He began as an Assistant Editor in 1970, was appointed Associate Editor in 1971 and Editor in 1972, moved to the Editorial Board in 1985, and has been an Associate Editor since 1991. His duties as an Associate Editor now are much the same as his editorship duties 20 years ago: to evaluate the suitability of submitted articles and their peer reviews.
In informing the Journal Committee and previous Editors-in-Chief of Clint's passing, I wrote,
I am sure you agree that he was one of the nicest and kindest people to ever grace our profession. He was very instrumental in the growth and development of the Journal. JAT would not be JAT without Clint's efforts. He had a vision of a professional journal dedicated to athletic training research and scholarship that would stand alone from association news and business and be respected throughout sports medicine.
Clint made a deep impact on the editors of the Journal who followed him. In response to my e-mail, Ken Knight added,
Your synopsis is right on. Another thing that Clint did is invite young nobodies, like me, to serve in insignificant roles, such as abstracting papers published in other professional journals, and mentor them till they grew into productive contributors.
Dave Perrin observed,
Clint was indeed one of the nicest and kindest people I've known in the profession. He was always there for me during my editorship—as advisor, confidant, and friend. He will be greatly missed by so many.
Chris Ingersoll wrote, “[Without Clint,] JAT might still be an association newsletter. He cared deeply about the Journal long after his direct involvement. On the shoulders of giants…”
Clint inspired all of us to do more, care more, and make the seemingly impossible possible. He will be deeply missed, but his legacy lives on in many ways, especially through everyone's efforts to fulfill his vision of a journal that is recognized around the world for advancing athletic training.
