Adjunct James L. Thorton

James L. Thornton, MS, ATC, PES

Mr. Thornton received his Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science from Utah State University in 1987.  He performed duties as a Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California, and was awarded his Master's Degree in Sports Medicine at U.O.P. in 1989.  Thornton was then hired as an Assistant Athletic Trainer in the fall of 1989 and remained in that position until accepting the job as Head Athletic Trainer/Director of Athletic Training Services at Clarion University of Pennsylvania in June of 1990.


Mr. Thornton's responsibilities at Clarion University also include being adjunct faculty in the first distance education based athletic training education curriculum in conjunction with California University of Pennsylvania's CAAHEP accredited program.  This program utilizes distance education technology and Internet based learning to accomplish educational criteria.  Thornton also performs duties as adjunct faculty at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA assisting in the instruction of the National Academy of Sports Medicine's (NASM) Performance Enhancement Specialist certification for the seniors in the Athletic Training Education Program.


Mr. Thornton is a certified athletic trainer by both the National Athletic Trainers' Association, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  He is a certified Performance Enhancement Specialist by the National Academy of Sports Medicine.  He presently serves as Education Liaison and Consultant to the NASM, Secretary of the NATA's District II (NY, NJ, PA, DE) and a member of the Eastern Athletic Trainers' Association Executive Board, as well as being a member of the Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers' Society Long-Range Planning and Finance Committee.  Mr. Thornton has been active in the issues that surround the sport of wrestling since his days at Utah State.  He has made recommendations for consideration by the NCAA Wrestling Rules Committee concerning the prevention and disposition of skin infections in wrestling.  Most recently, since the unfortunate deaths of three wrestlers in 1997, Jim has served as chair of the Athletic Training Task Force charged with making recommendations for permanent rules changes in weight management in the sport.  He presently serves as the contact person for all NCAA wrestling institutions concerning questions specific to weight class certification procedure and rules.  Subsequent to these duties, he has served as a consultant for two separate software packages used in the wrestling certification process.