Longball: A reflection on the Olympics

A sabbatical in 2014 led to a journey across the world that culminated with the Paris Olympics.

“I was very restless in my job, and I really wanted to do something that was just invigorating and stimulating, professionally,” said Adam Thompson, a professor at IWU and a healthcare provider for the USA Olympic Fencing Team.

Working for the Olympics, one is entering into a very competitive atmosphere. Like the athletes, healthcare providers must be at the top of their game just to have a chance to work with their Olympic team of choice.

“Well, I use the analogy, frequently, that I absolutely believe, that you have to stay cutting edge in your discipline. You have to stay current,” Thompson said.

The athletes whom Thompson works with often have full-time jobs in addition to training, so they are looking for quick and quality health care.

“When I learn new techniques, I research new concepts, I’m able to take that scholarship right into clinical practice with them. When I then use that clinical practice, I get the opportunity, I take it right back to the classroom and I can give students real-life experiences,” Thompson said.

Zach Hobson, the head athletic trainer at IWU, has watched Thompson’s journey since 2017 when Hobson was a student.

“From a credibility standpoint, and just working with some of the world-class athletes, can just really make an impact on students that he encounters,” Hobson said.

One of the students impacted by Thompson is IWU alum Neal Stepp.

“After hearing about (Thompson’s) experience and seeing all the amazing places he was able to go, I knew I wanted to be a part of that,” Stepp wrote in an email. “In the Spring of 2023, I completed my Sports Medicine Volunteer Rotation at the Colorado Spring Olympics and Paralympic Training Center, which is the first requirement to be involved with Team USA.”

Officials asked Stepp to provide services for the Para-swimming team and to work the Paris Olympics.

“It goes to show that you don’t have to fall in a rut, so to speak,” Hobson said. “You can dream big outside the bubble of IWU, outside of Marion as well.”

“I was able to learn and grow from everyone that I was able to work with, which has made me a better clinician. The passion I have to continue to work with Team USA is an impact I will be experiencing for a long time,” Stepp wrote.

Thompson described his journey with the Olympics as “longball.” His journey started in 2014, and working with the Olympics, he needed to be in the game for the long run, hence his term, longball.

“I joke all the time that Indiana Wesleyan is my ‘Indiana Jones’ job. Teaching pays the bills, I love to teach, and I love to teach what I do,” Thompson said. “But what I really love is sports medicine around the world.”