University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Staff Directory
Rory Thornton
- Title:
- Director of Major Gifts
- Email:
Rory Thornton joined the Golden Eagles in summer 2023 and assumed the title of Director of Football Operations.
As the Director of Football Operations, Thornton will oversee the day-to-day operations of the Golden Eagle football program, including budget control, team travel, office organization and facility management. He also serves the program's liaison to other university athletic departments and to all other units of the Southern Miss Department of Athletics.
Thornton, a native of Amory, Miss., arrives in Hattiesburg after a decade of service to the City of Amory as the City's Director of Parks and Recreation. He previously worked with the United States Department of Agriculture as a Research Technician with the Forest Service in Starkville, Miss.
Thornton played baseball at Meridian Community College for former Golden Eagle head coach Scott Berry, serving as the Eagles' center fielder for the 2000 and 2001 seasons. After earning his degree at MCC, Thornton enrolled at Dayton where he finished his collegiate career, earning team MVP honors following the 2003 season.
After four years of collegiate baseball, Thornton returned to the Magnolia State and earned a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in Psychology from Mississippi State in 2006. Thornton remained at Mississippi State and earned a master’s degree in forestry in 2009.
Thornton is married to the former Clarissa Williamson and has two children, Gray and Jake.
As the Director of Football Operations, Thornton will oversee the day-to-day operations of the Golden Eagle football program, including budget control, team travel, office organization and facility management. He also serves the program's liaison to other university athletic departments and to all other units of the Southern Miss Department of Athletics.
Thornton, a native of Amory, Miss., arrives in Hattiesburg after a decade of service to the City of Amory as the City's Director of Parks and Recreation. He previously worked with the United States Department of Agriculture as a Research Technician with the Forest Service in Starkville, Miss.
Thornton played baseball at Meridian Community College for former Golden Eagle head coach Scott Berry, serving as the Eagles' center fielder for the 2000 and 2001 seasons. After earning his degree at MCC, Thornton enrolled at Dayton where he finished his collegiate career, earning team MVP honors following the 2003 season.
After four years of collegiate baseball, Thornton returned to the Magnolia State and earned a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in Psychology from Mississippi State in 2006. Thornton remained at Mississippi State and earned a master’s degree in forestry in 2009.
Thornton is married to the former Clarissa Williamson and has two children, Gray and Jake.
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