Thorr Bjorn ’90 and ’95 has been named senior deputy athletic director and chief administrative officer, Director of Athletics Ryan Bamford announced on Nov. 5. Bjorn, a former Minuteman football player, has spent the previous 18 years as the director of athletics at the University of Rhode Island.

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“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,” Bamford 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 will assume sport oversight duties for the UMass football program, with an office in the Martin Jacobson Football Performance Center. He will assist Bamford and Deputy AD/COO Kirsten Britton with all administrative and managerial aspects of the athletics department. 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. He will assume his role at UMass on Dec. 1.

“I am honored to return to my alma mater and serve as Senior Deputy Athletic Director and Chief Administrative Officer,” Bjorn said. “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.”

The full announcement of Bjorn’s appointment can be found at UMassAthletics.com.