Spartan Alum Signs Professional Contract

AURORA, Ill. March 28, 2007 - Former Aurora University baseball standout Aaron Thor has signed with the San Angelo Colts, an independent team based out of the United League. Thor, a 2006 ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Division III First-Team All-American, was offered the opportunity to play professional baseball after being invited to play in the United League Baseball Winter League.

In his senior season, Thor hit .426, with 10 homeruns, 58 RBIs, 18 stolen bases, 61 runs scored, a .710 slugging percentage, and a .530 on-base percentage. Thor also helped lead AU’s 2006 team to a 34-14 overall record, a NIIC championship, a NCAA Regional Tournament championship and a trip to the NCAA Division III World Series.

“Playing baseball for four years at AU has molded me into the player that I am today,” Thor said. “I had some great experiences while at AU that have made the drive to succeed in baseball stronger.”

In his stellar four-year career, which saw Thor lead the Spartans to two NIIC championships, three NCAA Regional appearances, and two NCAA Division III World Series appearances, Thor hit .379 overall, had 221 hits, 21 homeruns, 60 doubles, 164 RBIs, stole 33 bases and played in 165 games. Thor also ended his collegiate career by making a mark in the AU record books. Thor finished tied for the AU lead in career doubles (60) and assists (378), and also set the single game doubles record with four.

Thor added, “Now that I am a professional ball player, all of my dreams have come true. Getting paid to play baseball is all I have ever wanted. I have a lot of work to do if I want to keep climbing the ladder in the baseball world, but I need to start somewhere. I am thankful to have this opportunity.”

With Thor’s signing of a professional contract, it marks the 12th Spartan to play professional baseball since 1993. The most recent player was Brady Salter, who signed with the New York Yankees after being drafted by them in the 42nd round of the 2005 amateur baseball draft.

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