If you follow the UT Rockets football team you are familiar with the stats of senior Cody Thompson, who, along with quarterback Logan Woodside, have helped the Rockets to major victories and recognition. Cody ranks seventh on UT’s career receiving list with 2,519 yards (as of October 1) and 8th with 20 TD receptions.
But there is also Cody Thompson, the UT College of Business and Innovation student.
“What first attracted me to The University of Toledo was that UT has one of the best business schools in the world,” the marketing major said. “Getting the opportunity to continue my football career as well as get a top-notch education from a great school made it an easy choice to come here.”
Thompson said the best part about being a student in UT COBI are the resources and opportunities available, from a faculty member helping you pursue a possible career path to the COBI alumni around the world with whom you can network and establish relationships that could produce internships or job offers.
As for football, Thompson said the best part - - beyond “playing the game I love and having 105 guys on the team that are and always will be brothers to me” - - is the opportunities it provides.
“Meeting so many amazing people and having a platform to get involved and help out in the community is something I am passionate about,” he explained, “and playing football has provided me with so many
opportunities to do that in a multitude of different ways.”
Thompson explained that the football records he holds shows people how hard work can pay off.
“I am not always the fastest, strongest, or athletically gifted person on the field,” he observed, “but I will always outwork my opponent, whether in the offseason or in the week of preparation up to the game.”
Speaking of “combining” with recent COBI grad Logan Woodside, Thompson said their amazing connection on the field “starts with a strong bond and friendship off the field and understanding how each other thinks. We approach the sport with the same mindset and want - - and accept - - nothing less than our best. We’re always striving to be better, always pushing and motivating one another in every aspect of our lives.”
“I would like to pursue the NFL and that is what I will do after this last season. In 5-to-10 years I would like to still be playing football, but also start my own business in sports and athletic training. Logan (Woodside) and I have talked about wanting to do this in the future and it would be something I would love to do…Our combined backgrounds would be great for that.”
But sometimes life has a way of throwing unforeseen obstacles in our paths. One such hurdle was presented to Cody on October 7 when his leg was broken in the early minutes of the UT Homecoming game against Eastern Michigan, leaving him out for the rest of the season.
“It’s not exactly how I expected my senior year to go,” he said, “but everything happens for a reason. This injury will not define me or be the end of my career. I’m going to bounce back from this and still pursue my goal of playing in the NFL, which is still very much in sight.”
“I am taking on more of a coaching role now while I’m out,” Thompson explained. “I’ll be helping this team in any way that I can, on and off the field, using my experience and knowledge to help out the other guys on the team. I know I will grow from this and not use this as a crutch, but as motivation to only come back stronger and better than I ever have.”
So a possible career in the NFL still seems a natural direction for Thompson. Asked what people would be surprised to know about him, he answers, “I am a good cook, and enjoy making big meals in the kitchen.”
Whether it’s big plays, big comebacks or big meals, something is always cooking with Cody Thompson.
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