Thompsons Endow Men's Golf Head Coaching Position

For the Thompson family, golf is not just a game. It's a way to stay connected to each other and to their beloved Carolina. It started with a swing, and after many years, they've kept their eye on the ball and followed through in a truly unique way.

Like Carolina's men's golfers, Johnny and Tricia Thompson share a passion for the sport and for the Tar Heels. That passion led to a generous gift to the Carolina men's golf program from the Thompsons. Their support bridges the present and future by combining an annual gift to the program with an estate gift that endows the team's head coach position. This ensures that promising student-athletes today and well into the future will have an opportunity to be guided by outstanding coaches and to achieve great things in academics and on the course.

A love of golf started early for Johnny. He picked up the game when he was 12 and played competitively through high school and a little through college. As his family grew, he was the only golfer – but that changed in 2020. Johnny's granddaughter Mimi, a UNC grad, began a career in finance, where she met her boyfriend, also a UNC grad and an avid golfer. That's when the ball really started rolling.

Mimi tried it and was hooked. As a natural athlete, it was easy for her to pick up the game. She got her mom, Patty, into it – then her aunt and her cousin Lexi, a current UNC student. Tricia hasn't caught the bug yet, but she can be found on the course, supporting the family full of Carolina-loving golfers. With such deep connections to the University and the game, supporting Carolina men's golf was a natural next step. The Thompsons found a blended gift to be the perfect way to build a legacy of support for both a place and a sport they love.

"Coach Andrew [DiBitetto] is one of the main reasons why we chose to endow the head coach position," said Johnny Thompson. "He totally changed the environment when he became the leader. Under his direction, the Tar Heels have become one of the top programs in the country. Also, I know Roy Williams well and was able to see first-hand how championships were won. He showed the difference a strong coach can make. With Andrew's leadership, Carolina men's golf now competes for national championships."

For Johnny and Tricia, endowing the head coaching position was a way to ensure exceptional leadership endures. It guarantees long-term funding for the coaching staff and strengthens Carolina's ability to recruit and retain elite coaching talent. It's a commitment that keeps the program stable, competitive and championship-prepared year after year.

For the coach, it's a transformative gift that shows how strong Carolina golf supporters are.

Andrew DiBitetto, the Johnny and Tricia Thompson Men's Golf Head Coach, shared that "Johnny and Tricia have a deep love for the University and golf. It's amazing to see our sport bring multiple generations of their family together. Now, we see that love and connection culminate in an incredible gift back to UNC. It's an honor for Carolina golf to grow and thrive because of their passion for the University and the sport. I'm extremely grateful to the Thompsons for their impact and generosity, and I'm honored to be the first head coach to benefit from this inspiring gift."

Golf and a love of the Tar Heels have bridged multiple generations of the Thompson family. Their shared passions have led to a legacy of support for countless student-athletes, today and in the future. Because of their generosity, the Thompsons have ensured that family, a tradition of excellence and Carolina pride will continue to thrive.

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