Clarion Athletics

Jim (Thunder) Thornton, the Head Athletic Trainer at Clarion from 1990 – 2023 (33 years), contributed so much at Clarion University, in the NATA profession, the NCAA and nationally that his contributions to all athletics are unsurpassed. Jim came to Clarion in the Summer of 1990 from University of the Pacific and started his Hall of Fame career. From 1990 – 2016 Jim primarily covered all events and practices of Football, Wrestling and Baseball at Clarion, as well as office hours to treat all Clarion athletes. After 2016 he covered wrestling and women's volleyball and all athletes in the same fashion. From 1997 – present he has been the Athletic Training Liason to the NCAA Wrestling Rules Committee. His contributions and recommendations to the committee on Weight Management have been critical in reforming collegiate wrestling weight management. Starting in 1998 he founded and chaired the George Garbarino Scholarship Fund for Clarion Athletics and used as his primary fund raiser the "Wild Game Dinner". He raised nearly $500,000 for scholarships and continues his involvement today. His passion to advance Athletic Training has taken many forms. From 1999 – 2019 he helped develop an Athletic Training program for students at Clarion interested in Athletic Training curriculum. Approximately 20 students yearly took athletic training courses and developed on the job AT experience at Clarion as part of the AT program at California University-Pa. Thornton taught courses as a member of the Clarion Faculty as well as an Adjunct Professor at Cal-U. Dedicated to the NATA (National Athletic Trainers Association), he was an extremely strong nation-wide leader as VP from 2009 – 2012 and president from 2012 – 2015. With high goals Jim worked to convince Secondary Schools nation-wide to make Athletic Training part of their team. He also initiated AT Care - an Intervention for Athletic Trainers who have a death or permanent injury of an athlete, along with participating in White House meetings which resulted in the NATA being part of "Stop the Bleed" – a National Security Council initiative and the development of a new NATA Logo and branding among others. Honors include receiving the Eve Becker-Doyle Leadership Award from the NATA in 2025, the NATA Hall of Fame in 2018, Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers "Hall of Fame" in 2016 and the 2010 recipient of the Clarion University Distinguished Volunteer Award. A native of Mt. Pleasant, Utah and a 1977 grad of North Sanpete High, he is a 1986 graduate of Utah State and received his Masters at U.O.P. in 1988. Jim and wife Bridget reside in Clarion and have three daughters including Matti, Maci and Maya.