Byron Thorne (1990-94) was one of the most athletic players to ever sport a Behrend Lions uniform. Thorne's athleticism allowed him to make game deciding plays on both ends of the floor in his 102 career games. As a senior he was named to the Division III News All-America team, a first in Behrend basketball history.

Thorne and Plyler guided the squad to the program's most wins in eleven seasons and garnered the team's second ECAC Tournament appearance. The dynamic duo worked together to form arguably the most formidable backcourt in the history of the program. In their last home game in historic Erie Hall they produced a combined effort for 44 points, 18 rebounds, 9 assists, and 8 steals in a 104-84 win over La Roche.

Thorne completed his outstanding four-year career ranked #2 in all-time scoring with 1,386 points, #1 in steals with 171, #3 in assists with 321, #4 in field-goals made with 543. Thorne was named the Male Athlete of the Year in his senior campaign of 1993-94, and totaled a career-high of 37 points in a game that season. He netted over 20 points in 17 of the 24 games he played that year and was twice named the ECAC Player of the Week and made the honor roll an additional six times. He also scored 568 as a senior--third most all-time and was among the national leaders in points per game.  Also, Thorne was named to the Hamot Classic all-tournament team for three seasons--claiming one MVP award. 

Thorne, a Vincentian High School graduate, earned a degree in MIS, and he continues to coach at the college level.