Rich Tompkins raised the bar for all of the area’s track and cross-country runners and coaches.  A three-sport star at Hart High School in the 1960s, Tompkins went on to run at Michigan State University.  Shortly after graduating from MSU, Tompkins went to Fremont High School and started to make history.

During his tenure as coach, Fremont’s boys cross country teams had a 250-29-1 dual meet record, won 21 conference titles (including 18 in a row from 1978 to 1995), 13 regional titles and six state championships.  From 1977 to 1988, his Packers boys teams won 116 duals in a row.  His girls’ cross-country teams at Fremont were nearly as good, posting a 111-22 dual record with 11 conference titles and six regional championships.

He also coached the Fremont boys’ track team to a 169-56 dual meet record, 13 conference titles three regional titles, and four Top 10 finishes at the state finals.  Tompkins coached standout individuals like quarter-miler Alvin McNair, who went on to place in several Big Ten Championship meets and ex-Bowling Green standout JoAnn Lanciaux.  Much of Tompkins’ success can be traced to his businesslike, no-nonsense approach and his ability to motivate young runners to keep running year-round.  He started Fremont’s famed 500-mile summer workout club in 1970.