Bjorn Appointed as University Vice President

Rhode Island Promotes Thorr Bjorn to Vice President for Athletics

KINGSTON, R.I. — University of Rhode Island President Marc Parlange recently announced the promotion of Thorr Bjorn to Vice President for Athletics, accompanied by a five-year contract extension through the 2029-30 academic year. Entering his 19th year, Bjorn becomes the second-longest-serving athletic director in the university’s history.

Parlange commended Bjorn’s leadership, noting his ability to build winning teams and foster a culture of achievement among student-athletes. “Thorr’s impact goes beyond athletics; he champions student-athletes as scholars and leaders within our community,” he said.

Bjorn expressed gratitude for the opportunity and emphasized the support of his family, stating, “Our daughters grew up here and are URI alumnae, so this university is a significant part of who we are.”

Under his leadership, Rhode Island has seen impressive success, claiming 40 league titles since he began in 2005. Notably, URI recently celebrated a banner three-year stretch, with 11 titles across six sports since the 2022-23 academic year. This includes a historic women’s basketball title and a first-ever CAA Football title in 2024, as well as multiple NCAA Championship appearances across various sports.

Beyond athletic achievements, Bjorn has prioritized academic excellence, with student-athletes achieving a cumulative GPA of 3.26 in Fall 2024, the highest in the school’s history. Over half of URI’s student-athletes made the Dean’s List.

Bjorn’s fundraising efforts have also been significant, helping secure $65.8 million in state funding for facility upgrades, including the recent $8 million Soloviev Basketball Practice Facility. With Bjorn at the helm, URI athletics is set to continue its upward trajectory.

Source

Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.