Thorr Bjorn to Remain AD at Rhode Island

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Obadiah
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by Obadiah »

I agree the NEC decision was a blot on Thorr's resume. The most damaging aspect was it reduced the aspirations of the football program and had an adverse effect on other sports also. Thorr did not foresee that getting to "comfort zone" was an acceptance of mediocrity that would cause the program to cascade downward further. There is a message here for those here who think dropping football would benefit the basketball program and other sports. The admin will grab the money and athletics will never see a dime.

Earlier I had posted the URI record in major sports - eight programs over three years- and out of 24 seasons, URI had four winning ones. This doesn't happen by accident. There is some correlation here and while there may be many reasons in explanation, we need action to correct whatever it is.
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Hal Kopp
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by Hal Kopp »

Obadiah-great points!
While critical that Mens BB do well,the best barometer is the performance overall of all the teams.
Thorr is great guy,not afraid to fire someone and good at fund raising.
But on W & L's??
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by rodfromcranston »

Just talked to someone from a different source.
Said Thorr is one of two finalists at Xavier, and the decision could
be made by tomorrow.
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rambone 78
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by rambone 78 »

Rod, good work. So it's not a totally done deal after all.

Should be lots of news this week. The AD situation, X and Butler notifying the A10 they're leaving, and possible moves by the A10, once that is done.

Might all happen tomorrow, before the tournament begins.
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by ATPTourFan »

rodfromcranston wrote:Just talked to someone from a different source.
Said Thorr is one of two finalists at Xavier, and the decision could
be made by tomorrow.
THIS would certainly qualify as "premature" and less than "accurate".
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SmartyBarrett
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by SmartyBarrett »

Wow, very interesting Rod. I obviously have heard differently, but I know the info you provide is no joke. Still haven't heard anything to contradict what I had reported. Interested to see what tomorrow's news brings.
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Billyboy78
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by Billyboy78 »

Tomorrow is now today.
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BFC
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by BFC »

ramster wrote:
BFC wrote:
ramster wrote:Whoever we get will be at least as good as Thorr who make a devasting blow to the football program with his NEC decision only to come back and reverse it - I wish that stupid NEC decision had turned out to be a false leak.
Losing Thorr to Xavier will not be near the "sky is falling" disaster that many are acting like it is.
It was such a devastating blow, URI Football was so good and popular before that.
For those of us close to the Football program know how much the NEC decision hurt recruiting. Your comment I assume is meant to minimize the NEC decision and let Thorr "off the hook".
Sure the football program was not doing well before the NEC decision but then it got set back on whatever progress it had been making.
This was not a good decision by Thorr, a couple of us were very much against it at the time, and clearly at the end it showed to be a bad one - here we are reversing it but damage was done.
The performance of the program warranted a demotion. They were the worst program in the conference before the "devastating blow". People in this state don't care about URI's 1AA football program and that was the case long before Thorr. It sucks but its true. I just can't buy into the idea that a new AD who's a "football guy" coupled with our think big slogan will result in a good football program. College football is all about resources and URI Athletics is going to be behind the pack in that no matter who the AD is.

Maybe the damage of the devastating NEC blow can be reversed and the football team can go back to being in last place every year as opposed to being in really, really last place. Won't that be exciting.
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by Kingston »

Thor better hope this happens soon., Major news coming on the softball coach soon and it's not good
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by rodfromcranston »

Thorr's been tweeting all weekend about different URI athetics stuff.
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by ATPTourFan »

Kingston wrote:Thor better hope this happens soon., Major news coming on the softball coach soon and it's not good
Oh boy. Do we need a new rumor thread on the softball coach now?
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Keaney.Blue
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by Keaney.Blue »

He's gone
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by rhodyfan3 »

rodfromcranston wrote:Thorr's been tweeting all weekend about different URI athetics stuff.
I saw that as well. I didn't know what to make of it?
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by ATPTourFan »

Keaney.Blue wrote:He's gone
He meaning Thorr, yes?
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by EricRueb »

I've been reading this thread with great interest both from the fan side and the media side.
First, Dave should be commended for his report. He found sources he trusted and got this story out there. I would have liked him to have called URI and gotten a "no comment" to legitimize it, but if he trusts his sources, he goes with it.
However, this is my issue with the piece: if it's wrong, there will be no repercussions. If a reporter at a paper or news organization writes a piece like that and it's proven to be violently wrong, it tarnishes the reporter and paper's credibility and gets people fired. I don't know if Dave is trying to run a legit news site or just a fun fan site - and there's nothing wrong with either one - but if this proves wrong, any news he ever has will be and should be considered questionable at best.
As a fan/alum, I'm rooting for the story to be wrong. I think Thorr is great for the school and it would be a damn shame to lose him.
As a journalist (unemployed, but you get the drift), I root for the reporter, especially when they've done things right. If he trusts his sources he should go ahead with the story. If not, well, it's going to be hard to read that site in the future. That's the reality of the business.
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by TruePoint »

At the very least, if he turns out to be wrong Dave will have to explain how that happened. That may require him to hang his sources, or at least give some background in where the info came from. Personally, I find it very hard to believe that this isn't a done deal based on everything that I've heard.
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rodfromcranston
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by rodfromcranston »

Xavier is sure dragging their feet, if it's such a done deal.
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ace
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by ace »

Tom Penders on Twitter trying to convince Thorr to stay was kind of funny.
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OBRAM
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by OBRAM »

BFC may not think anyone cares about URI football, but there were more people at a few URI football games the last few years then were at any any one baskteball game, and it is not because the Ryan Center was sold out and could not fit more people into the Ryan Center.
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by ATPTourFan »

ace wrote:Tom Penders on Twitter trying to convince Thorr to stay was kind of funny.
Link to that tweet? Didn't find it.
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rodfromcranston
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by rodfromcranston »

Yeah, OK, football is more popular than basketball at URI. Wow.
Ace, I looked at Pender's twitter timeline and I didn't
see anything between he and Thorr.
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ace
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by ace »

Just looked, too. It's gone now. It was from a couple days ago... said something about there's no ocean out there, don't do it... understand why you would but don't go! Something like that. There was no response from Thorr. Even when I read it, I wondered if Thorr and others would be ok with that out there. Guess not.
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by rhodyfan3 »

Here, I saw it too. I was able to do some digging and find it.

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Section104
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by Section104 »

3/16/13 7:41pm

@thorrbjorn @rhodysoftball Thorr, there's no ocean in Ohio! Don't do it. We need you. I understand but...don't.
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by ATPTourFan »

Glad Coach Penders wasn't censored. That would have been a real opportunity for it.
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by rambone 78 »

I would think X would have made their decision by now, before the tournament started. But then, they aren't in it this year.

I would think they will before the FF, as most D1 schools have their AD's and coaches there.

I'm also guessing Rhody will have some contingency plan in place, to have someone there besides Dan, if Thorr does leave. If X pulls the trigger soon, maybe a new AD will be in place by then?
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rambone 78
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by rambone 78 »

I think Tom is just saying what most of us are feeling. Of course, in his position that might be over the line a little. We can say whatever we want.

It's tough to tell a guy, not to take a position that will basically double his salary. He's got to do what's best for him, not us.
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by rodfromcranston »

Tom Penders is a retired coach with no official ties to URI.
He speaks his mind without filters.
What I find ironic is, Penders left for the $$$, so why shouldn't Thorr?
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rambone 78
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by rambone 78 »

Thorr imo would move on for 2 big reasons;

Money [for him and his family], and knowing that the football program here will never be as successful as he would like. No matter how much money the Hurleys bring to URI with a strong BB program, it won't be enough to save football. That diagram of a new stadium looks nice, but it's a pipe dream. What would it cost to build that type of facility? 20 million? 50 million? Not happening, ever.

Yes, I know X doesn't have football, but down the road I can see Thorr at a big football school, where there will be plenty of money to go around.
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Keaney.Blue
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by Keaney.Blue »

OBRAM wrote:BFC may not think anyone cares about URI football, but there were more people at a few URI football games the last few years then were at any any one baskteball game, and it is not because the Ryan Center was sold out and could not fit more people into the Ryan Center.
I'm calling BS on this, you have proof? Nobody cares about football at URI.
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by Optimistic »

There a few football games this season (a winless season mind you) that drew very well, but I think that was mostly due to events not related to football such as parents weekend and homecoming.
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rambone 78
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by rambone 78 »

Nobody is a little harsh, there are some older alums like OBRAM and Hal Kopp on here, that still care.

Other than that, though, not many.

Like anything else, if URI football had a pulse, more people would go. However, the football program would NEVER approach what a successful BB program would bring to the table.

Second tier football in the Northeast just doesn't excite anyone. UMass is finding that out trying to go big time, and UConn's football program is on the decline with no place to go.
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by rambone 78 »

Optimistic, you mean by drawing well, 6000 or so?

By URI standards, that's OK, but I remember crowds of 10-12,000 back in the Erdhardt days.

That's what URI football would need to survive, and even that wouldn't come close to breaking the program even.

A winning program would probably approach those numbers again, but most of them would be sitting on the ground. Who wants to sit on that disaster-waiting-to-happen, the East stands?

The only way I see a major facility upgrade in the works for Meade, is a huge donation or two. Maybe if the team starts winning again, that'll happen, but I wouldn't count on it.
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by 3wisemen »

Forbes released its list of most valuable basketball programs this week. Xavier is in the top 20. Running an athletic program with that sort of asset and doing it well leads to much bigger opportunities.
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rambone 78
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by rambone 78 »

Makes sense to me. X's AD is going to Georgia Tech.

There you go.

Think Thorr might want to end up at an SEC school? Even as an asst AD first? Drool.
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by Billyboy78 »

Bobinski is taking over at Georgia Tech on Friday. Maybe that is why nothing has been announced as of yet.
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by Billyboy78 »

Billyboy78 wrote:Bobinski is taking over at Georgia Tech on Friday. Maybe that is why nothing has been announced as of yet.
Then again, I just saw another report that says he will begin on April 1st.
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rambone 78
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by rambone 78 »

What I heard, is that Bobinski is leaving X this Friday, and taking over at GT April 1st.

Since X and URI are both done for the year, maybe we'll hear something next Monday. I doubt they'll announce something Friday, too much tourney ball going on that day.

Speaking of being done for the year, how did X NOT get an NIT invite? Strange.
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eli#10
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by eli#10 »

What is the latest info on this? Anyone seen Thorr or communicated with him? Any tweets etc.
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by rodfromcranston »

This is the longest running thing, ever.
I know Xavier stated they were going to announce in
mid April, but they also were supposed to have a search
committee and interviews from the list the committee submitted.
Then we heard it was Thorr. Then I heard it was between Thorr and
one other candidate.
The GOP primaries took less time than this! OK, maybe not,
Thorr had three tweets yesterday about the baseball opener that was PPD today.
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by Rhody74 »

Thorr's activity on Twitter tells me that nothing's imminent.
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Blue Man
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by Blue Man »

It's a closed door fact that he's gone at URI. This is done.

We should all wish him well, because he deserves to be in a situation where he's making more money, where people around him all think forward, and where the cesspool of RI politics and URI's mismanagement is far away from trying to accomplish things.

He left our basketball program in the best place it's been in well over a decade, and did the best with what he was given here.

Now we just move on and hope and pray that Daryl Jasper gets picked to lead the department.
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by rodfromcranston »

For what it's worth, all the URI related tweets today
are coming from the Athletic Dept., and not Thorr.
At this point, my feelings are, let's just get on with it, so
a successor can be hired and things keep moving forward.
With conference realignment, this is a critical time to be rudderless.
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Rhody99
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by Rhody99 »

Little did u guys know that he has passed up a much bigger than Rhody in the past year. If he gets this job I wish him and his family the best! Class act who deserves what he gets.
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by RF1 »

A Xavier fan on the A-10 Board is reporting that Xavier has scheduled a press conference tomorrow morning. He is specualting it is to announce a conference move. Might it however instead be to announce a new AD?
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by ATPTourFan »

Posts seem to indicate that it will cover conference affiliation. One way or another, we can watch at 10:45am ET on http://www.xavier.edu/letsgox

Creighton is announcing "something" at 11am tomorrow as well.
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by RF1 »

ATPTourFan wrote:Posts seem to indicate that it will cover conference affiliation. One way or another, we can watch at 10:45am ET on http://www.xavier.edu/letsgox

It is now very much looking like both are to announce conference moves. Will Butler be next?
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by SmartyBarrett »

Blue Man wrote:It's a closed door fact that he's gone at URI. This is done.
Yes. Still have yet to hear something contrary to this, other than Rod's post the other day.

As for an announcement, I have heard nothing other than "after the A-10 Tournament". Maybe I should have asked which A-10 Tournament ;)
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by ramster »

Xavier, Butler and Creighton all be announced as joining the new Big East tomorrow - Wednesday at 11am in Manhattan.
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Re: Reports: Thorr Bjorn is the new AD at Xavier

Unread post by rambone 78 »

Once this is done, maybe we'll hear from the A10. Time to do something.
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