The 2011-12 season will be the eighth for Jennifer Thompson with the EMU women's basketball program. She helped guide the 2007-08 squad to a 17-8 overall record and a 15-5 mark in the ODAC.

Thompson played four years of basketball at James Madison University, where she helped the Dukes to three appearances in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament. She graduated from JMU with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education with an endorsement in health and driver education.

Since graduating from JMU, Thompson has been teaching health, physical education, and driver education at Harrisonburg High School for 17 years. She coached junior varsity girls' basketball for three years, assisted the varsity basketball team for four years, coached volleyball for seven years, and guided girls' tennis for three seasons.

"I enjoy working with young people and teaching them not only basketball but how being part of a team can help them in other areas of their lives," Thompson said of her role as a coach. "I would hope that they see basketball as an opportunity to improve themselves, their skills, and to work with others who share the love of the game."

Thompson lives in Harrisonburg with her husband Grant and children Garrett and Kendall.