MacArthur High School, which opened in 2023, is set to be renamed after basketball legend John R. Thompson Jr. The name change reflects the community's values of belief, belonging, and becoming. Thompson, who died in 2020, is known for transforming Georgetown University's men's basketball team during his 27-year tenure as coach. Unanimous support for the name change was received from the DC Council, following advocacy from local residents and officials. The new name aims to honor Thompson’s impactful legacy and connection to the community.
Thompson was a native Washingtonian who embodied the value of leadership, emphasized a well-rounded worldview, and created supportive environments for young people to obtain their education.
Thompson coached the Hoyas from 1972 to 1999, taking over after a 3-23 season and a persistent losing streak.
MacArthur is less than a mile away from Georgetown University. A university spokesperson told Washingtonian that Georgetown was "excited" to hear about the effort to rename the high school.
The new name garnered unanimous support in the DC Council, where a bill to rename the school was approved on first reading.
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