DAYTONA BEACH, Florida - Raymon Thornton, Sr., one of the top quarterbacks in Bethune-Cookman history and a member of the University’s Athletics Hall of Fame inaugural class, passed away on June 2, 2015. He was 87 years of age.As a student-athlete, Thornton helped lay the groundwork for the success of Wildcats Football. He was named the program’s second All-American in 1951, and also garnered the top quarterback award from the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) after setting the record for most touchdowns in a season with 14.
The previous year, he was named first team quarterback on the SIAC in Bethune-Cookman’s final year with that league.
Thornton returned to Bethune-Cookman as an assistant football coach and head basketball coach from 1956-61. As a basketball coach, he compiled an overall record of 43-34 with his best campaign being a 15-4 mark during the 1958-59 campaign.
In 1960, Thornton served as head football coach after the legendary Rudolph “Bunky” Matthews suffered a heart attack before the start of the season. The Wildcats finished the year 3-4 overall.After Bethune-Cookman, Thornton went to serve as a teacher and school administrator in South Florida.
His contribution to Bethune-Cookman Athletics was so appreciated that he was selected as one of 20 inaugural members of the Hall of Fame in 2000.
He is survived by one son, Raymond, Jr.
A visitation was held on Thursday, June 11 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Royal Funeral Service, 17475 NW 27th Avenue, Miami Gardens, Fla. The funeral is set for Friday, June 12 at 10 a.m. at Mt. Hermon AME Church, 17800 NW 25th, Miami Gardens, Florida.
COURTESY BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
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