Norwich's Will Thompson Named 2024-25 GNAC Athlete Of The Year For Men's Sports

Winthrop, Mass. - Norwich Men’s Swimming & Diving Student-Athlete Will Thompson was named the 2024-25 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Athlete Of The Year for Men’s sports on Friday (July 18) afternoon by the conference office. This award mirrors the NCAA Woman Of The Year guidelines in which it recognizes graduating student-athletes who have distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate careers in the areas of academic achievement, athletics excellence, service and leadership.

He will be honored at the 2025 GNAC Professional Development Seminar held at Emmanuel College on Tuesday, Aug. 12.

Thompson was selected amongst eight outstanding candidates throughout the conference, excelling both on the field and in the classroom.

He graduated from Norwich with a 3.36 GPA and was a two-time selection to the GNAC All-Academic Team. One of the most decorated swimmers in Norwich University history, Thompson was named the 2023-24 GNAC Swimmer of the Year and compiled an astounding 22 conference championships across his four-year career, including nine individual titles and 13 as part of relay teams. He was a 27-time GNAC All-Conference honoree, earning multiple honors each season from 2021 through 2025. Thompson holds three individual program records at Norwich in the 50-yard, 100-yard, and 200-yard breaststroke events. He is also a member of four program-record-holding relay squads in the 200 and 400 freestyle relays and the 200 and 400 medley relays. His impact extended to the conference record books as well, setting GNAC records in the 50-yard breaststroke, the 400 freestyle relay, and the 200 medley relay. Thompson served with distinction in the Norwich University Corps of Cadets throughout his undergraduate career, taking on key leadership roles in the Regimental Guard Mount Section. As a senior, he held the position of Officer in Charge of the section and in the previous academic year as a junior, he served as the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of the same section.

Will’s Personal Statement:

"Throughout my four years at Norwich University, I’ve grown through the unique challenges of scholarship, athletics, and leadership within a military college environment. As a member of the Corps of Cadets, a collegiate swimmer, and a committed public servant, I’ve learned that leadership is grounded in service, resilience, and discipline. These experiences have shaped my character and empowered me to lead with integrity, whether on campus, as an ocean rescue lifeguard in Maine, or in my future career as a State Trooper. Each challenge has strengthened my confidence and commitment to serving others.

Some of my most impactful academic experiences came from practical exercises in my intelligence courses. In these simulations, classmates and I worked in assigned roles to analyze and present findings on real-world terror threats. These collaborative problem-solving opportunities gave me a firsthand sense of the complexity of national security work. They strengthened my communication, decision-making, and critical thinking skills, which are essential to a successful law enforcement career. Balancing these demands with a full athletic schedule required me to grow as a student and strengthen my time management skills.

My experience as a student-athlete was integral to my development as a leader. Across all four years on the swim team, I regularly participated in optional double practices and additional meets, including competitions against top Division I, II, and III programs, which provided me the opportunity to represent Norwich at some of the biggest meets in the country, including at the U.S. Naval Academy. These early-morning practices pushed me to physical and mental exhaustion, teaching me the value of discipline and perseverance. I was honored to serve as the men’s team captain in my senior year. That role allowed me to motivate my teammates, lead extra practices, and practice leadership within a tight-knit group. 

My leadership development extended well beyond the pool. As a cadet leader during my junior and senior years, I held two different positions in the Corps of Cadets, overseeing up to 10 peers while coordinating with a staff of 10–15 and working closely with the commandant’s office. Leading in a dynamic environment alongside 18-year-old college sophomores and seasoned combat veterans gave me a uniquely diverse and challenging leadership setting. These experiences taught me adaptability, humility, and communication skills across experience levels and backgrounds.

Outside the academic year, I served as an ocean rescue lifeguard in Ogunquit, Maine, during the summers of 2023, 2024, and now 2025. In 2024, I was promoted to Head Guard of Community Outreach. In that role, I helped lead public education initiatives focused on water safety, coordinated department messaging through social media, and served as a liaison between our team and the community. Throughout my work in that position, I deepened my understanding of public service and community involvement, both of which are values that I intend to prioritize throughout my career in law enforcement."

ABOUT THE GREAT NORTHEAST ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

The Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) is an NCAA Division III association made up of 14 member institutions and over 4000 student-athletes across the New England region. Founded in 1995, the GNAC annually sponsors and administers 20 championships, while balancing academic integrity, athletic opportunity and community involvement in an effort to enhance the student-athlete experience.

Stay up to date with all the latest news from the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC)!
'Follow' us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram, and 'Like' us on Facebook! 

-#TheGNAC-