Rick Thorpe Joins Razorback Athletics As Deputy AD For External Engagement
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Rick Thorpe has joined Razorback Athletics as a deputy athletics director of external engagement, vice chancellor and director of athletics Hunter Yurachek announced on Wednesday. Most recently, Thorpe served as the senior associate athletics director for external affairs and strategic communications at Rutgers University.
“We are pleased to welcome Rick Thorpe to the Razorback Athletics family,” Yurachek said. “In his more than 25 years as an athletics administrator in intercollegiate athletics and professional sports, Rick has been a tremendous asset and brought value to every organization of which he has been a part. Rick is energetic and has a passion for intercollegiate athletics. Those are qualities that have served him well throughout his career and fit perfectly with the tremendous passion Razorback fans have for our university and our program throughout Arkansas and beyond.”
As a member of the Athletic Director’s Cabinet and Senior Staff, Thorpe will oversee external units within the Department of Athletics including; Marketing and Promotions, Tickets Sales, Digital and Creative Services, Branding, Licensing, Community Engagement, Communications, Multi-Media Rights, Broadcast Services and serve as a liaison to the Razorback Foundation. Thorpe will also be the sport administrator for volleyball.
“I’m grateful to Hunter Yurachek and humbled by the opportunity to join the Razorback Nation,” Thorpe said. “I started my career professionally in the SEC and to now come full circle, with not only one of the premiere Athletics programs in this conference, but in the country, is an honor and a privilege. I look forward to joining the Arkansas family and working hard every day to build upon the tremendous history of this incredible institution. Wooo Pig Sooie!”
Thorpe has worked at a variety of institutions spanning many of the nation’s leading collegiate conferences. In addition to Rutgers, Thorpe has served at Georgia Tech, Connecticut, UCLA and Vanderbilt. In addition, Thorpe worked six years with The PGA Tour. A graduate of Penn State University, Thorpe and his wife, Andrea, have one son, Oakley.
In addition, Yurachek announced that Julie Cromer Peoples has been promoted to senior deputy athletics director for administration. Peoples, who is also the senior woman administrator (SWA) for Razorback Athletics, will continue her work as the sport administrator for football and women’s golf. She will continue to lead the Sports Administrator Group as well as the department’s strategic planning. Peoples will spearhead the department’s continued commitment to Title IX compliance, including coordinating the program’s gender equity initiatives. She will also assist the director of athletics as a liaison to the Razorback Foundation for capital fundraising initiatives.
