Thomas Joseph Thorp

Thomas Joseph Thorp (March 6, 1884 – July 6, 1942) was an American college football player and coach, sports writer, and football and horse racing official. He served as the head football at Fordham University from 1912 to 1913 and New York University (NYU) from 1922 to 1924, compiling a career coaching record of 21–17–4.

Early years Thorp was born on March 6, 1884, in Manhattan, in the neighborhood known as the Roaring Forties.

Thorp enrolled at Columbia University, where he played at the tackle position for the school's football teams in 1903 and 1904. He was named to Walter Camp's All-America team, and was selected as an All-American in both 1903 and 1904. In October 1905, amid the movement to eradicate professionalism from college football, Columbia's faculty dropped Thorp from the university. The New York Times wrote that Thorp had been "the backbone" of the team and reported that Thorp's expulsion was "the worst blow that Columbia football has received" and a move that "cast the gloom of despair" over the prospects for the Columbia football team in 1905. Upon being expelled from Columbia, Thorp sought admission to Cornell, but he was not able to acquire advance standing. Thorp next went to the University of Virginia, where he was enrolled and played football.

Sports writer In the late 1900s, Thorp was hired as a sports writer for the New York Journal. He also worked for a time for the New York American and the New York World. The Long Island newspaper Newsday annually presents the Tom Thorp Award, which goes to the outstanding high school football player in Nassau County.

Coaching and officiating Fordham Thorp was head football coach at Fordham University for the 1912 and 1913 seasons, compiling a record of 7–7–2.

NYU Thorp was the 18th head football coach a New York University (NYU), serving for three seasons, from 1922 to 1924, and compiling a record of 14–10–2. This ranks him fourth at NYU in total wins and third at NYU in winning percentage.

Officiating When he was not coaching, Thorp also worked as an official for college football games. He officiated at many of the significant eastern games and was the first easterner to be invited to officiate at a Rose Bowl Game. He continued officiating at football games until 1940. Thorp was unmarried and was survived by his mother and two brothers.

Head coaching record