Deb Thompson enters the 2027 season with more than 900 career victories as head coach of the Spring Arbor University softball program. Since taking over in 1987, Thompson has guided the Cougars to national tournament competition while investing in the athletic, academic and spiritual development of her players.
Thompson led Spring Arbor to the 2005 National Christian College Athletic Association national championship and earned NCCAA National Coach of the Year honors. That team finished with 43 victories. Her coaching recognition also includes multiple National Fastpitch Coaches Association regional awards and nine NCCAA Regional Coach of the Year honors.
In 2024, Thompson guided the Cougars to their first NAIA National Tournament appearance since 1986 and the second in program history. Spring Arbor earned an at-large berth in the Opening Round after finishing third in the Crossroads League.
The Cougars posted a 33-23 record in 2026 and advanced to the Crossroads League Tournament championship round, marking their third 30-win season in four years. Emilee Underwood earned Crossroads League Pitcher of the Year honors, while Underwood and Summer Ambler received first-team all-conference recognition.
In 2021, the NCCAA named its softball character honor the Deb Thompson Award in recognition of her service and commitment to student-athletes. Part of the association’s Game Plan 4 LIFE Award Series, the award recognizes excellence in Christian testimony, academics and athletic performance.
A 1984 Spring Arbor graduate, Thompson compiled a 42-13 career pitching record with a 1.025 earned run average. She earned NAIA All-District honors from 1982-84 and was the team’s Most Valuable Player in 1983 and 1984. Her 0.33 ERA in 1983 remains the program’s single-season record.
Thompson was inducted into the Spring Arbor University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2002 and the Blissfield High School Hall of Fame in 2005. She has also served on the NAIA Softball Coaches Association executive committee and as national vice chair of the NCCAA.
Beyond coaching, Thompson serves on Spring Arbor’s faculty, teaches CORE 100 and leads cross-cultural trips. She resides in Spring Arbor.
