Teacher’s legacy, name live on at Green Valley High

School campuses or facilities are often dedicated to inspirational individuals, which makes the naming of Blaine W. Thompson Memorial Track so fitting.

Green Valley High School, 460 N. Arroyo Grande Blvd., renamed its track in April in honor of late teacher Blaine Thompson, who taught at the school for 23 years and coached its cross country and track and field teams for 18.

"Education was always really big for him, and track was what he loved all his life," said his wife, Gina. "If he taught or coached you, you were his kid."

An Oregon native, Blaine received his bachelor's degree from Oregon State University before moving to Henderson in 1990.

"He started student teaching at Green Valley in 1991," Gina said. "His dad was a math teacher, so that sparked his love for mathematics. It's what he taught for most of his career."

Former Green Valley principal Jeff Horn, now an assistant chief student achievement officer for Performance Zone 10, started teaching at the school around the same time as Blaine. He said they were both math teachers and coached sports.

"He was very intense, whether it was in class or out on the track," Horn said. "He was passionate and believed in kids. He always stuck up for them when he felt the need to."

People could read Blaine's emotions well. Gina said he had a vein in his forehead that would "pop out" when he got excited, earning him the nickname "Blaine the Vein."

"He pulled no punches. He was going to tell you like it is," Gina said. "He was kind, but if that vein was showing, his kids knew they were in trouble."

Blaine was dedicated to his students. He arrived at school early to help tutor them in math and stayed late to coach; after dinner, he'd typically spend hours grading papers or preparing for meets. His passion helped the boys' track and field team earn the state title in 2003 and Sunrise Region titles in 2003, 2009 and 2014. The girls' team was named region runner-up seven times under his direction. The boys cross country team also won four regional championships and took the Sunrise title in 2014 and placed second at the Division I state meet.

"This was his life every day: nurturing and shaping the lives of thousands of Nevada's boys and girls," Gina said. "... He did all this pretty much selflessly and generally with a smile on his face."

Blaine continued to devote his life to his work even after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last December.

"It was like stepping off the curb and being hit by a bus; that's how quick it takes you," Gina said. "We knew it was basically a death sentence, but Blaine still wanted to fight."

Despite undergoing chemotherapy, Blaine supported his students and attended practice as much as he could.

"I visited him in the hospital, and not once did he stop fighting or feel sorry for himself," Horn said. "He had great passion and fought until the end. He was very inspirational."

Blaine's fight ended when he died Jan. 18. The next night, more than 400 students, athletes and coaches from across the valley attended a student-organized vigil.

A few months later, students and staff members held a celebration to rename the track in Blaine's honor.

"Blaine put his life and soul into that track," Horn said. "I couldn't see a better tribute to him. It's a perfect fit."

In addition to the memorial, his family created two scholarships for Green Valley students: one for cross country/track athletes and another for those who "embody (Blaine's) commitment to excellence."

"I've gotten so many letters, cards and tributes. Even six months later, I still get a letter every week from a student he taught telling me how much he meant to them," Gina said. "My husband was one of a kind, and his legacy is strong."

Visit blainethompsonmemorialscholarship.com.