Rick Thorpe, who has 24 years of leadership experience in collegiate athletics and professional sports, joined the Scarlet Knights on June 12, 2017. In his role as Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Affairs and Strategic Communications, he oversees the strategic direction for strengthening the Rutgers athletic brand and produces an aligned marketing plan for all 24 sports.
“I’m grateful to Pat Hobbs and Sarah Baumgartner for providing me this incredible opportunity,” Thorpe said on the date of his appointment. “Growing up in the Northeast, I’ve long respected the excellent reputation that Rutgers University has earned. To now be part of this institution is an honor. We’re going to compete every day to build the Scarlet Knights brand regionally and nationally, to spur on the fandom needed to cheer our teams to victory, and to generate the revenue required to support our student-athletes to the fullest. I can’t wait to get started."
Thorpe, who most recently served as Associate Athletic Director for Sales and Fan Experience at Georgia Tech, is responsible for revenue generation, game day atmosphere, digital and social media strategy, as well as department internal and external communications efforts. He will serve as liaison to multi-media rights holders and both develop and execute comprehensive sales, marketing and communication plans for ticket sales.
With Georgia Tech (2012-17), Thorpe oversaw sales, marketing, premium hospitality, corporate involvement, digital and broadcast partnerships, fan experience and spirit group departments. During his tenure, the Yellow Jackets established all-time records in ticket/seat donation/premium revenues, corporate partnership dollars, and was recognized as the top school in the country for leveraging strategic innovation in driving sales and fan engagement. He arrived in Atlanta after serving as Vice President of Tournament Sales and Marketing for the PGA Tour (2006-11).
Thorpe has also worked as Associate Athletic Director for Marketing and Corporate Relations at UConn (2002-06), Associate Director of Marketing at UCLA (1997-02), and Director of Marketing and Promotions at Vanderbilt (1994-97).
A 1993 graduate of Penn State, Thorpe holds a degree in sports administration with an emphasis in marketing. Originally from Jamestown, N.Y., he is married to the former Andrea Cook and has one son, Oakley.
