ITHACA, N.Y. – Emily Garner, The Rebecca Quinn Morgan '60 Head Coach of Women's Basketball, announced today that Liz Thompson has joined the Big Red staff as Director of Operations.

"I'm thrilled to welcome Liz Thompson to our staff as our Director of Basketball Operations," said Garner. Liz brings tremendous energy, organization, and a genuine passion for college basketball, and I know she will be an invaluable part of our program. Her attention to detail and commitment to our student-athletes will make an immediate impact, both on and off the court. We're excited to have Liz joining the Big Red family and look forward to all that she will contribute to Cornell women's basketball." 

Thompson arrives on East Hill after spending the 2025-26 season as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Ithaca College, where she coached one All-Liberty League player and led all recruiting operations, managing the program's Front Rush database and identifying top targets for the head coach. She coordinated official and unofficial visits, built a recruiting website showcasing program culture, and organized the program's summer and fall elite recruiting camps. Thompson also directed scouting and film sessions using Synergy Sports Technology, served as acting head coach for four games, and assisted in managing the program's budget and travel logistics.
 
"I am incredibly honored and grateful to join the Cornell Women's Basketball family," Thompson said. "I would like to sincerely thank Coach Garner and the entire Cornell Women's Basketball staff for believing in me and entrusting me with this opportunity. I look forward to learning from this outstanding staff, supporting our coaches and student-athletes in every way I can, and contributing to the continued success of Cornell Women's Basketball. Go Big Red!"
 
Prior to Ithaca, Thompson spent two seasons as a graduate assistant coach at Springfield College, helping lead the Pride to a 22-6 record, a NEWMAC regular season title and an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2023-24, followed by a third-place NEWMAC finish in 2024-25. She coached four All-NEWMAC players, including a WBCA Honorable Mention All-American, and assisted with recruiting, scouting and player development while managing the program's social media presence. Springfield's coaching staff earned NEWMAC Coaching Staff of the Year honors during her first season.
 
Thompson has further developed her coaching career through the WBCA's Coach to Coach Mentorship Program and the organization's "So You Want to Be a Coach" program, and has coached at numerous camps, including the SUNY Oneonta Women's Basketball Camp, Nike Girls Basketball Camp at Sacred Heart, the Yale Bulldog Camp and the University of Rochester Women's Basketball Camp.
 
A four-year member of the women's basketball team at SUNY Oneonta, Thompson earned her Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education/Social Studies with a minor in Women's & Gender Studies in 2023, and completed her Master of Science in Special Education at Springfield College in 2025. She holds New York State Initial Teaching Certification in Social Studies 6-12 and is a member of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association and WeCOACH.