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NYU Mourns the Passing of Levester Thompson, Jr.

NYU Mourns the Passing of Levester Thompson, Jr.
Posted: Apr 08, 2020

From NYU Athletics

Levester Thompson, Jr., who began his long association with New York University as an undergraduate student-athlete, passed away on Tuesday, April 7, after a multi-week battle with the coronavirus. 

Affectionately known as "LT", Thompson, Jr. graduated from NYU's Leonard N. Stern School of Business in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science degree in management and finance. He also participated as a member of the Violets' track & field team, competing mainly in the shot put, discus, hammer, and 35-lb. weight throw.

He went on to serve as an assistant coach of the NYU women's basketball team from 1996-97 until 2011-12. In his first season, Thompson, Jr. served as a volunteer assistant as the Violets won their first-ever NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Championship and set a school record for victories (29-1).

During Thompson, Jr.'s 16 seasons on the bench, the Violets posted a 332-107 (.756) record and made eight NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Final Four berth in '07 as NYU went 27-4 and earned a share of the University Athletic Association (UAA) Championship. During his tenure, NYU also captured five Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Metro Tournament titles.

After his coaching stint at NYU, Thompson, Jr. served as Equipment & Events Manager at Hunter College from 2013-15. He then returned to NYU as an assistant equipment manager before being promoted to Equipment & Retail Sales Manager in September 2017. 
 

A native of Alberta, VA, and resident of Staten Island, NY, Thompson, Jr. is survived by his wife, Dr. Simone Andrews (NYU '96 undergrad, NYU '12 doctorate), their daughter Jade-Anastasia (who attends NYU and is a member of the fencing team) and son Chase.


"We miss Levester terribly," said Christopher Bledsoe, NYU's Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Director of Athletics. "Our most sincere thoughts and prayers are with Simone, Jade, Chase, and their family at this impossibly difficult time."