University of Massachusets Athletics
Thorr Bjorn Joins Massachusetts Athletics As Senior Deputy Athletic Director
November 05, 2025 | Football, General, Athletics Department
Bjorn will serve as the Chief Administrative Officer and oversee the football program.
AMHERST, Mass. – Thorr Bjorn '90 and '95 has been named Senior Deputy Athletic Director and Chief Administrative Officer at the University of Massachusetts, Director of Athletics Ryan Bamford announced on Wednesday. Bjorn, a former Minuteman football player, has spent the previous 18 years as the Director of Athletics at the University of Rhode Island.
"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," said Bamford. "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."
Under the leadership of Bjorn, Rhode Island captured 40 league championships, and he was named NACDA FCS Athletic Director of the Year in both 2016 and 2025.
Bjorn played a pivotal role in revitalizing the Rhode Island football program, leading to a historic 2024 season in which the Rams claimed their first-ever Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) championship. The team finished the regular season 10-2 overall and 7-1 in conference play, advanced to the FCS playoffs for the first time since 1985 and earned a first-round victory over Central Connecticut State. Rhode Island concluded the year 11-3, marking the most wins in program history. This season, the Rams have maintained the success, posted seven wins to date and are tied for 10th nationally in the AFCA Coaches Poll. He has also represented CAA Football on the NCAA Division I Football Championship Committee.
Bjorn spearheaded the renovation of URI's Meade Stadium, including a project to modernize the east stands. The stadium, home to Rhode Island's football and women's lacrosse programs, has received more than $5 million in recent upgrades and is also preparing for an upcoming $42 million east stands project, which is scheduled to begin at the conclusion of this football season.
Before Rhode Island, Bjorn spent 15 years with the UMass athletics department, including four years as senior associate athletic director. He served as the day-to-day supervisor for football and ice hockey, oversaw both lacrosse programs, managed athletic marketing, corporate sales and ticket operations and acted as liaison to Global Spectrum, the management company for the Mullins Center. From September 2003 to February 2004, Bjorn served as the interim athletic director at UMass, overseeing all departmental operations and supervising 10 senior administrators along with the head coaches of football, men's basketball and men's ice hockey.
Bjorn was also an assistant athletic director for tickets and game operations at UMass from 1990 to 1996. He was then appointed associate athletic director for marketing in 1996, a position he held for four years. In 2000, he became director of regional sales and marketing for Resorts Sports Network in Portland, Maine, before returning to UMass in April 2003.
Bjorn earned both his bachelor's degree in sports management and his master's degree in higher education from the University of Massachusetts. He was a three-year letter winner in football for the Minutemen (1987-89).
Additional Highlights From Rhode Island
Under Thorr Bjorn's leadership, Rhode Island Athletics experienced unprecedented success in championships, academic achievement, fundraising, facility upgrades and community engagement.
Since 2022-23, URI won 11 championships in six sports, ranking among the top Atlantic 10 programs. Rhode Island student-athletes also set GPA highs and more than half earned Dean's List honors in 2024.
Facility, capital investment and infrastructure growth defined much of Bjorn's tenure. Since 2014, URI opened the Ryan Family Student-Athlete Center, completed and continue to make major upgrades at Meade Stadium and built the $8 million Soloviev Basketball Practice Facility. Bjorn helped fund the improvements by fundraising efforts, including securing the first $1 million gift in URI athletics history. Bjorn also revitalized URI's corporate partnership programs, forging innovative deals and launching Rhody Sports Properties. In 2024, URI received $65.8 million in state support to continue upgrading athletic facilities.
During the 2015–16 academic year, three Rhode Island programs captured Atlantic 10 championships and baseball earned its first NCAA Regional victory. The Rams also set a new academic benchmark, with 42% of student-athletes earning Dean's List honors and the department's cumulative GPA surpassing 3.0 for the first time. The momentum continued in 2016–17, when men's basketball won the A-10 Tournament Championship and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. That same year, Bjorn's leadership was recognized nationally as an Under Armour Athletics Director of the Year by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA).
In 2017–18, Rhode Island claimed three conference titles in men's basketball, men's track, and women's rowing, with the rowing staff earning national recognition for their accomplishments. The 2018–19 season brought even more milestones with men's soccer and women's rowing both advancing to the NCAA Championships, football posting its first winning season in 17 years, and a first round of major renovations to Meade Stadium completed to enhance both the fan and student-athlete experience.
Beyond campus, Bjorn has been a national leader in the ever-changing collegiate landscape, serving both as chair of the A-10 athletic directors and representing CAA Football on the NCAA FCS Championship Committee service as Chair in his final year on the committee.
Bjorn is married to Cyndy Bjorn, UMass class of '93 and they have three daughters Stephanie Dufresne (Sam), Robyn Nemirow (Phil) and Rachael (Chris Gosselin) as well as two grandsons.
Media Availability
Director of Athletics Ryan Bamford and Thorr Bjorn will be available to the media as part of Massachusetts Football Head Coach Joe Harasymiak's Weekly Press Conference, scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 6 in the team Auditorium at the Football Performance Center (FPC).
The press conference will be open to media members only but streamed live on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/umassathletics) and via the team's X account (@UMassFootball). Media who wish to attend should email Dan Colleran, Sr. Associate AD for Brand Advancement: dcolleran@umass.edu.
"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," said Bamford. "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."
Under the leadership of Bjorn, Rhode Island captured 40 league championships, and he was named NACDA FCS Athletic Director of the Year in both 2016 and 2025.
Bjorn played a pivotal role in revitalizing the Rhode Island football program, leading to a historic 2024 season in which the Rams claimed their first-ever Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) championship. The team finished the regular season 10-2 overall and 7-1 in conference play, advanced to the FCS playoffs for the first time since 1985 and earned a first-round victory over Central Connecticut State. Rhode Island concluded the year 11-3, marking the most wins in program history. This season, the Rams have maintained the success, posted seven wins to date and are tied for 10th nationally in the AFCA Coaches Poll. He has also represented CAA Football on the NCAA Division I Football Championship Committee.
Bjorn spearheaded the renovation of URI's Meade Stadium, including a project to modernize the east stands. The stadium, home to Rhode Island's football and women's lacrosse programs, has received more than $5 million in recent upgrades and is also preparing for an upcoming $42 million east stands project, which is scheduled to begin at the conclusion of this football season.
Before Rhode Island, Bjorn spent 15 years with the UMass athletics department, including four years as senior associate athletic director. He served as the day-to-day supervisor for football and ice hockey, oversaw both lacrosse programs, managed athletic marketing, corporate sales and ticket operations and acted as liaison to Global Spectrum, the management company for the Mullins Center. From September 2003 to February 2004, Bjorn served as the interim athletic director at UMass, overseeing all departmental operations and supervising 10 senior administrators along with the head coaches of football, men's basketball and men's ice hockey.
Bjorn was also an assistant athletic director for tickets and game operations at UMass from 1990 to 1996. He was then appointed associate athletic director for marketing in 1996, a position he held for four years. In 2000, he became director of regional sales and marketing for Resorts Sports Network in Portland, Maine, before returning to UMass in April 2003.
Bjorn earned both his bachelor's degree in sports management and his master's degree in higher education from the University of Massachusetts. He was a three-year letter winner in football for the Minutemen (1987-89).
Additional Highlights From Rhode Island
Under Thorr Bjorn's leadership, Rhode Island Athletics experienced unprecedented success in championships, academic achievement, fundraising, facility upgrades and community engagement.
Since 2022-23, URI won 11 championships in six sports, ranking among the top Atlantic 10 programs. Rhode Island student-athletes also set GPA highs and more than half earned Dean's List honors in 2024.
Facility, capital investment and infrastructure growth defined much of Bjorn's tenure. Since 2014, URI opened the Ryan Family Student-Athlete Center, completed and continue to make major upgrades at Meade Stadium and built the $8 million Soloviev Basketball Practice Facility. Bjorn helped fund the improvements by fundraising efforts, including securing the first $1 million gift in URI athletics history. Bjorn also revitalized URI's corporate partnership programs, forging innovative deals and launching Rhody Sports Properties. In 2024, URI received $65.8 million in state support to continue upgrading athletic facilities.
During the 2015–16 academic year, three Rhode Island programs captured Atlantic 10 championships and baseball earned its first NCAA Regional victory. The Rams also set a new academic benchmark, with 42% of student-athletes earning Dean's List honors and the department's cumulative GPA surpassing 3.0 for the first time. The momentum continued in 2016–17, when men's basketball won the A-10 Tournament Championship and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. That same year, Bjorn's leadership was recognized nationally as an Under Armour Athletics Director of the Year by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA).
In 2017–18, Rhode Island claimed three conference titles in men's basketball, men's track, and women's rowing, with the rowing staff earning national recognition for their accomplishments. The 2018–19 season brought even more milestones with men's soccer and women's rowing both advancing to the NCAA Championships, football posting its first winning season in 17 years, and a first round of major renovations to Meade Stadium completed to enhance both the fan and student-athlete experience.
Beyond campus, Bjorn has been a national leader in the ever-changing collegiate landscape, serving both as chair of the A-10 athletic directors and representing CAA Football on the NCAA FCS Championship Committee service as Chair in his final year on the committee.
Bjorn is married to Cyndy Bjorn, UMass class of '93 and they have three daughters Stephanie Dufresne (Sam), Robyn Nemirow (Phil) and Rachael (Chris Gosselin) as well as two grandsons.
Media Availability
Director of Athletics Ryan Bamford and Thorr Bjorn will be available to the media as part of Massachusetts Football Head Coach Joe Harasymiak's Weekly Press Conference, scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 6 in the team Auditorium at the Football Performance Center (FPC).
The press conference will be open to media members only but streamed live on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/umassathletics) and via the team's X account (@UMassFootball). Media who wish to attend should email Dan Colleran, Sr. Associate AD for Brand Advancement: dcolleran@umass.edu.
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