Tyler Thompson thankful for chance to play for dad

Rick and Tyler Thompson both consider themselves lucky because of each other.

Rick is an assistant coach with the West Aurora boys basketball team, where his only son Tyler has been a starter for the past three seasons.

Not only do father and son share a love for basketball, but they get to spend lots of time with each other through bus rides, practices and games.

"I'm really thankful because there are some guys whose dads don't even come to the games," Tyler said. "He's always there and doing everything he can to help me and benefit me, and also for the team too."

It's a rare situation many fathers and sons don't get to experience. Rick has coached at the varsity level for the past two seasons.

"I think to myself (that) I am one of the luckiest dads," Rick said. "What dad would not want to be able to go to every practice their son practices in, be at every game and be available to help and encourage? I can't complain at all. I also get to work with many of Tyler's best friends. I get to know them much, much better than most parents would, so it's been a great, great opportunity for me."

Coaching Tyler, a 6-foot-5 center/forward, is really nothing new for Rick, but this year is extra special because this will be the last time father and son will be together.

Their time together started when Tyler was 6 years old, when Rick coached him at the YMCA. Next was with the West Side Warriors in middle school, where Rick was the head coach.

There even was a time when Rick coached against Tyler. It was in eighth grade, when Tyler played for Washington Middle School and Rick coached at Jewel in the city championship game. Tyler's team ended up winning the game.

"He never let me live that one down -- and rightfully so," said Rick, who currently teaches health/physical education and coaches football and basketball at Jewel in North Aurora.

Rick's coaching career at West Aurora began way before Tyler was born. After playing football and a year of basketball at Northwestern, he came to Aurora his second year out of college for a teaching job.

Rick's first season at West Aurora was in the 1978-79 season. He was the head sophomore coach for 5 years, then spent the next 7 years next to current coach Gordie Kerkman, who is in his 32nd year coaching the Blackhawks.

Rick left West Aurora to take an administrative job. He didn't coach Tyler again until Tyler's junior year last year.

When the varsity assistant job opened up, Rick asked Tyler if it would be OK. It was.

"We agreed it's be something that could help both of us," Rick said.

"One thing I did to avoid any conflict is I put Rick in charge of the perimeter players and Paul (Kieffer) in charge of the post players," Kerkman said. "But it really doesn't matter because Tyler is both right now."

Tyler enjoyed his first year on varsity as a starting sophomore who averaged 7.2 points per game. That year, Rick was an assistant with the sophomore team, so he was still around a lot.

Tyler was a part of the team that qualified for the Class AA state tournament and finished 29-2.

"I remember sophomore year like it was yesterday," Tyler said. "I still miss those guys. They were really great teammates, they really helped bring me up."

"He was pretty polished as a sophomore -- that's why he was on varsity," Kerkman added. "Most coaches sons have a pretty good grasp of the game and are pretty good players."

As a junior, Tyler was a go-to guy, but had two seniors with him in Reggie Shipp and Dernodo Eiland. In what was considered a down year for the Blackhawks (14-13 overall), Tyler finished third on the team in scoring (10.9 ppg) and rebounding (4.7 rpg).

"Last year was his first down season he ever experienced his whole life, which was a good motivator for him this year," Rick said. "In the off-season, he really worked hard and played a lot to improve."

One of the things Tyler did in the off-season was quit football to focus on basketball, especially playing with the Illinois Wolves. It was not an easy decision, but it worked out in the end.

Not only is Tyler having a nice senior season, leading the team in scoring at 12 points per game, but Quincy University offered him a full scholarship for basketball before the Blackhawks basketball season started.

"It was a tough decision not to play football his senior year, but he felt it was the right thing to do," Rick said. "He's gained 20 pounds this year, and that's helped a lot."

Tyler gave credit to Rick for his development in the past year.

"He keeps me on track," Tyler said. "I really learned how to take care of my body. It's more of a job…he's done it too. He's been there, so he knows."

With just several games remaining in the high school season, Rick and Tyler's time together on the court is limited. Quincy is more than 4 hours away from Aurora, so Rick won't be around as much. It's just something both dad and son will have to get used to.

"It will be weird," said Rick, who is undecided on returning with the Blackhawks next season. "I'd like to return next year because I like coaching a lot, but I realize I only have one son. He's going to be in college, and I want to see as much of that as possible."

"I'll definitely be calling him," Tyler added. "It's my dad and I love him. I know he is my ultimate fan and is going to be at every game he can.

"A lot of the guys joke around and say, 'Your dad is going to take up a job at Quincy,' but no, it's fun. I enjoyed having my time with him as a coach. I'm really fortunate, but I'm looking forward to seeing what I can do without him as my coach -- in a good way."