Integra Sports' Featured Athletes

Joe Tompkins - Mono-ski Champion

Joe Tompkins with his crew at SkiTAM05-
Front: Chris Waddell, SkiTAM staff member Robin Briscuso & Joe Tompkins; Back: Team Techs Ben Roberts & Tyler Johnson, USDST Alpine Coach Kevin Jardine

Play Every Lie

As told by Chris Waddell, former skiing teammate

The saying goes, "If a man cheats at golf, he'll cheat at life." Joe Tompkins plays every lie. No matter where his ball lands he'll play it, provided he can get to it. For Joe, getting to his ball presents some problems since he golfs out of his wheelchair.

Sixteen years ago, after a night of partying Joe hopped in a car with two of his buddies. Who knew if one was more sober than the others. On the way home the driver hit a tree. He ended up in a coma, Joe broke his back. Joe's best friend, died in the back seat.

For two years after the accident Joe actively and passively pursued a mission to kill himself. Booze, drugs and fast driving consumed him. No risk was too big, until his infant son said, "Daddy, I love you." In that moment he knew he never wanted his son to call anyone else Daddy, and he knew he wanted to be the kind of dad that his father had been for him-the kind of man who could teach his son how to carry himself.

The desire to show his son how to carry himself attracted Joe to skiing. Growing up he played baseball with aspirations of making it professionally-his father played minor league ball in the Braves organization. After the accident he wanted his son to be proud of him…he should be.

George Locascio, Founder of the Abilities Foundation’s B&G Endowment, Lou Piniella and Joe Tompkins- Joe was a celebrity golfer in the Undegraff Vision Celebrity Golf Challenge, benefiting the Abilities Foundation

In 1999 Joe won the first official disabled World Cup in Breckenridge, Colorado. Last season he fully recovered from the trauma of losing another "best friend" (monoskier Steve Riche in a skiing accident), to win a World Cup Super G in Austria. This season he won the Downhill at the World Cup Finals in Switzerland.

As an athlete Joe's proven himself worthy of his son's pride, as a father and mentor he's proven himself worthy of his father's legacy.

During the summers Joe coaches Little League baseball. Kids in their twenties still call him "coach" out of respect for the confidence he gave them-a confidence that has continued to grow because it was nurtured when they were young.

Joe freely shared his story with his players as does with students on behalf of MADD. In his talks he pulls a twenty dollar bill from his pocket and asks who wants it. Every hand in the place goes up. When he tears the bill in half all but a couple of hands shoot up. When he crumples it, spits on it, grinds it into the mud a couple more hands stay in laps, but Joe doesn't believe them. He knows that they all want that twenty.

The message is clear. Life will go wrong- your ball will land in the sand, but like that twenty it's always worth it. Joe says, "The youth are our future." With him as a mentor the future is bright because he doesn't cheat life and life doesn't cheat him.

Patricia Christain, Jon Goldman, Joe Tompkins and Erica Conaty Goldman, VP Affiliate Marketing, NBC Universal, celebrate the 10th anniversary of SkiTAM05

Joe Tompkins At A Glance

Tompkins is the Founder of the Extreme Edge Foundation*, which is dedicated to supporting current and aspiring Paralympic athletes. The first Extreme Edge Golf Tournament to raise capital is in the works for Seattle, Summer of 2006.

In April, 2005, Joe joined with sponsors and other athletes for SkiTAM '05, the tenth anniversary of this "Cable and Telecommunications Initiative Benefiting the U.S. Disabled Ski Team". Please visit the SkiTam web site for more information.

Joe will be competing in 2006 Turin Paralympics and will also be featured on L.L. Bean's Outdoor Life Show on OLN later this year.

Tompkins came in 1st place in the 2005 Disabled World Cup downhill race.

Joe and Bob Condron, Director
of Media Services- USOC; Joe has been invited back for this year’s Abilities Foundation tournament. Go smokin’ Joe!!

*The Extreme Edge Foundation

Mission Statement:

The Extreme Edge Foundation will be a 501(c)(3) organization that supports, promotes and recruits todays and upcoming worldwide athletes with differing physical disabilities. We will provide support to assist these athletes in achieving their fullest athletic potential by finding financial support thru sponsorship and donations. We believe these athletes deserve more attention and we know they can inspire the world with their dedication.

Vision Statement:

The Extreme Edge Foundation will be the leading foundation in supporting and recruiting athletes with disabilities by 2014.

Testimonials to Joe Tompkins' strength and heart

• Bob Condron, Director of Media Services- USOC, testifies to Joe's talents speaking and golfing. > View PDF
• Frank DeLucia, President and CEO of the Abilities Foundation- on Joe's inpirational visit to Abilities of Florida. > View PDF

"Joe's an example of everything we want in an athlete, and in a human being. He gives and gives and gives and never asks for anything...
I had the most amazing experience playing golf with Joe... The only thing Joe complained about was ... actually, I don't think he complained about anything. Not even the sand traps. Whatta day. It changed my life."

Bob Condron,
Director of Media Services – United States Olympic Committee; &
Commission Member- International Olympic Committee
> Read the Entire Testimonial (PDF)