Charley Thornton

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Charles J. "Charley" Thornton, (ca. 1937 - 16 February 2004), was an important American college sports figure.

Charley Thornton was born about 1937 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He graduated from Jonesboro High School in Jonesboro, Arkansas in 1954. Thornton graduated from Arkansas State College in 1958 earning the award as the top male student. After college Thornton became a sports editor at The Jonesboro Sun and then at the Arkansas Gazette.

Thornton soon became an important figure in college athletics. During his career he served as alumni and public relations director at Arkansas State, sports information director at Tulane University, executive assistant to William Byers who was the NCAA executive director, associate athletic director at Texas A&M University, and chief fundraiser at the University of Alabama. Thornton held the position of assistant athletic director at the University of Alabama for 18 years and was athletic director at Arkansas State University for three years. Thornton also served as the chief executive director for the Memphis Showboats of the USFL. Thornton was also part of the operations staff of the NCAA Basketball Tournament for many years. Thornton is perhaps best remembered as co-host of Bear Bryant's television program at Alabama.

Thornton is a member of the Hall of Fame of the College Football Sports Information Directors of America and a recipient of the Arch Ward Award.

Charley Thornton died on 16 February 2004 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Adapted from the article Charley Thornton, from Wikinfo, licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.