Jeremiah Thompson grew up with a glove in one hand and a baseball in the other. Now that he finds himself nearing high school graduation, he still finds his hands clasped firmly around his tools of the trade – tools that are leading him into collegiate play.

Thompson, eighteen-year-old son of Jim and Robin Thompson of Leesburg, signed a letter of intent with Andrew College’s Fighting Tigers on Wednesday, April 20, with a room full of supporters, coaches and school officials looking on.

Already accepted at Andrew under a full academic scholarship, Thompson says he was drawn to the small liberal arts college through its baseball program. Coached by former Auburn standout Scott Hemmings, the Andrew Tigers have become a leading contender in two-year college play.

Thompson hopes that Hemmings and the Fighting Tigers can help him move on later to play at a four-year institution. Hemmings sees that as highly possible.

“Jeremiah’s certainly capable of going on to the four-year level,” said Hemmings in a telephone interview. “He’s got some things we’ll need to work on, but the chances of his continuing play (past Andrew) are very good.”

Thompson credits Coach Rob Williams, LCHS varsity baseball coach, with much of his success on the diamond. But he also credits his teammates, knowing that practicing hard helps athletes play hard. Thompson joins names on the Lee County roster like D’Vontrey Richardson, Brock Bailey and Buster Posey, area athletes whose names are well recognized in athletic circles. Under Williams’ leadership, Thompson and other seniors on the LCHS baseball team have seen region championships and state playoffs, with this year’s post-season play still to be decided. The team presently (at press time) holds a 17-2 win-loss record, with a perfect record in region play.

While Thompson initially considered several colleges, his participation on the Pendleton Division I Recruiting Tour this fall helped him to nail down his commitment to Andrew. Further research into the academic standings of the institution solidified his decision. While Thompson is excited about attending Andrew, Andrew is also excited about having him there.

“I am thrilled to death to have such a quality person as Jeremiah Thompson,” said Andrew’s Coach Hemmings. “I feel like getting such a quality athlete from a quality program like Lee County’s means that Jeremiah should come in to our program and see play on the field right away.”

“It’s exciting to see a great student and athlete (such as Jeremiah) … continue both his academic and athletic careers,” said Jim Morrell, Lee County High’s athletic director. “In addition, Jeremiah is a quality person.”

A look at Thompson’s resume of high school involvement makes Morrell’s words ring true. In addition to his baseball involvement, Thompson’s activities have ranged from the fine arts, having been a part of LCHS’s award-winning one-act play, to the politically minded, having been active in student government for all four years. Thompson is also one of 250 students from 110,000 nation-wide applicants recently named as Coca-Cola Scholars through that organization’s recognition of school and community leaders.

Thompson and his teammates wind down their regular season play soon, travelling to Warner Robins on Thursday, April 28 and to Bainbridge for a double header on Friday, April 29, then returning to Trojan Field to end the season with a double header against Ware County on Friday, May 6. Seniors will also be recognized at the May 6 game.

Thompson is the second Lee County High baseball player this year to sign a letter of intent for collegiate play. Buster Posey signed this fall with the Florida State University Seminoles. Thompson is also the second Lee County High athlete to sign for Andrew College athletics, with Terrell Hoffman signing last week to run cross country with the Tigers.