Background
Thorne was born in December 1880 in Michigan. His father, William Thorne, was a grocer in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
Thorne was born in December 1880 in Michigan. His father, William Thorne, was a grocer in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
Thorne was the head college football coach for the Michigan State Normal Normalites (now called the Eastern Michigan University Eagles) located in Ypsilanti, Michigan and he held that position for the 1898 season. As of the conclusion of the 2010 season, this ranks him #32 at Eastern Michigan in total wins and #31 at the school in winning percentage (250). His occupation was listed as a grocery store merchant.