Sam Thornton '19
Former A&M Men's Swimming & Diving student-athlete launches career in athletics communications
By Carlee Richardson '25
Many people hear the word “scholarship” and think about the payment for an education, but a scholarship holds much more value than just its monetary worth. For student-athletes, this holds true not only during the time of competition, but for a lifetime after graduation. The investment into another becomes an opportunity, a door opened and a life changed — something Sam Thornton '19 experienced firsthand.
Being 4,700 miles away from home became the new normal for Thornton, after he signed his offer to dive for the Texas A&M Swimming & Diving team in 2015. A native of Bradford, England, Thornton experienced no shortage of opportunities upon his arrival to Aggieland. After becoming a four-year letter winner and six-time All-American diver for Texas A&M, Thornton now works for Aggie Athletics as an assistant director for athletics communications, covering volleyball, women's tennis and track and field.
Finding his way to the heart of Aggieland was no easy task. In fact, Thornton did not begin his recruitment process until he was 17.
“I had no idea what conferences or divisions were,” Thornton said. “But when I turned 17, I started digging my teeth into research. I made a video my junior year of some of my diving and asked all of my American friends to share it.”
After receiving 17 Division I offers, Thornton narrowed his decision down to five schools: Texas A&M, Texas, Kentucky, Florida State and Hawaii.
“Funny enough, Texas A&M was actually the only school that I reached out to myself,” Thornton said. “In making my final decision, I wanted to go somewhere that also offered a valuable degree. So, I signed my offer to A&M sight unseen. I originally thought that Texas would be like the Arizona desert.”
“The 12th Man Foundation donors are the reason I get to do what I am doing, living out my dream. Every opportunity that I have received since arriving here, I have them to thank for it.”
Thornton was happily surprised to see no desert in sight when visiting College Station for the first time. Instead, Thornton saw the construction of a brand-new Kyle Field, experienced the camaraderie of the 12th Man and knew that it felt like home. Although he was confident in his choice, the overseas transition was not the smoothest sailing.
“My freshman year, I honestly had no idea what was going on,” Thornton said. “My first semester was a genuine whirlwind, and time management was the hardest thing to learn. I mean, you cannot do the diving without doing the schoolwork, too.”
Fortunately, Thornton was surrounded by the incredible resources that Texas A&M provides to every student-athlete.
“The athletics department staff did an incredible job,” Thornton said. “During that transition, I learned just how much time, resources and effort the people here are ready to pour into you.”
While competing from 2015 to 2019, Thornton completed his undergraduate degree in telecommunications. He recognized the opportunity to continue his education and earned a master's degree in sport management while serving as a volunteer and graduate assistant coach for the men's and women's swimming and diving teams from 2020 to 2022.
Not feeling quite done in Aggieland, Thornton set his eyes on a full-time opportunity to become a part of the Texas A&M Athletics Communications staff.
“The Aggie Network is so real, and I am a living, breathing testament to that,” Thornton said. “When I was closing in on finishing my master's degree, I went and spoke with everyone in the athletics department that I knew pretty well. After three rounds of interviews, my first day on the job was chartering to Georgia with the volleyball team.”
Thornton has found his role extremely rewarding, as he holds the unique perspective of being a former A&M student-athlete.
“Here, I have never just been an employee, a student or an athlete,” Thornton said. “I love the people and the connections I have made. I feel valued for the things I do, and I love that I get to serve the student-athletes in the same way others did for me.”
Thornton's entire story of opportunity began with a scholarship.
“It is the reason I am who I am today,” Thornton said. “The 12th Man Foundation donors are the reason I get to do what I am doing, living out my dream. Every opportunity that I have received since arriving here, I have them to thank for it.”
After attending several 12th Man Foundation events since 2015, Thornton has connected with donors and developed strong relationships that will last a lifetime.
“The caliber of resources we have here at Texas A&M are like no other,” Thornton said. “Nobody does it to this incredible of a degree, and that is all thanks to the 12th Man Foundation donors. I always try to remind our athletes to really learn and appreciate it. People pour their hard-earned money into our athletics programs to invest in us, and it truly is life-changing.”