University of Central Missouri Athletics

Tompkins, who died of cancer in 1996 at the age of 55, coached the Mules from 1965 through 1980.  He compiled a record of 248-164-1 (.602), won three MIAA championships and made two trips to the NCAA tournament, finishing fourth in 1974.  That team was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1994.  His 248 wins rank second in career coaching wins among Mules’ baseball coaches.  Before becoming the Mules’ head coach, he was a three-year letterman as a pitcher for them.  He received the Vernon Kennedy Award in 1962 as CMSU’s outstanding senior athlete.  He designed the current Mules’ playing field, which bears his name and has been the Mules’ home since 1976.  After stepping down from his coaching position, he devoted his time to his academic position of professor in the department of physical education.  He did return briefly to the coaching ranks in 1985 to coach the Mules’ and Jennies’ tennis teams for two seasons.