UMass Announces Addition Of Thorr Bjorn As Sr. Deputy AD
Thorr Bjorn '90 is leaving his post at URI to return to his alma mater, where he'll oversee the UMass Football program.
Some change is obviously needed when it comes to the UMass Football program and some change has arrived.
Will it be the change that is necessary, though?
On Wednesday, UMass announced the hiring of Thorr Bjorn as Senior Deputy Athletic Director and Chief Adminstrative Officer.
According to the University’s release, Bjorn will “assume sport oversight duties for the UMass football program, with an office in the Martin Jacobson Football Performance Center.”
Bjorn will assist athletic director Ryan Bamford and Deputy AD/COO Kirsten Britton “with all administrative and managerial aspects of the athletics department.”
The release goes on to say, “In particular, Bjorn will help administer many of department’s external and public-facing units including sales, fan experience and marketing, communications and public relations, brand management and UMass Sports Properties.”
Bjorn, who has been the AD at Rhode Island for the past 18 years, will officially start at UMass on Dec. 1st.
A three-year letterwinner for the UMass Football program (1987-89), Bjorn worked in the UMass athletics department for 15 years, including four as senior associate athletic director.
“I am honored to return to my alma mater and serve as Senior Deputy Athletic Director and Chief Administrative Officer,” Bjorn said in the release. “When Ryan shared his detailed vision, path to success and the University’s strong commitment and investment in athletics and the football program, I was truly humbled by the opportunity to be part of it.
“I am excited to work alongside Ryan and head coach Joe Harasymiak and his staff and to help build a championship-caliber football program in the Mid-American Conference. In addition, I look forward to collaborating with our coaches, staff, alumni, fans and donors to advance a culture of championship excellence — in the classroom, in the community and on the fields of competition.”
Bamford also shared his excitement in the release.
“At a critical time for our athletics department, I am absolutely thrilled to have Thorr return to UMass to share his tremendous skills and experience with our entire department and, most importantly, help Massachusetts football realize championship success once again,” he said. “Thorr is a passionate and respected leader who cares deeply about UMass and will help lead Massachusetts athletics into a new era of college athletics.
“Thorr and I have enjoyed a special relationship as colleagues and friends for ten-plus years in the Atlantic 10 conference. His counsel will be a tremendous asset to me, and I am confident that adding his expertise and administrative acumen will lead to even greater athletic success at the flagship.”
Bjorn was named NACDA FCS Athletic Director of the Year twice, in 2016 and 2025. The Rams enjoyed success on the gridiron under his leadership, including a CAA championship and an FCS Playoff berth last season.
He was also instrumental in the planned renovation of URI’s Meade Stadium, which will get underway later this year.
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