ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME
Above , Lance Johnson
Lance Johnson joined Thornton as our new athletic director in July , replacing Gary Stevens , who retired after 17 years at TA . “ I was attracted to Thornton Academy because of the long tradition of TA athletics , combined with the commitment , support , and involvement of the community ,” says Lance . “ I am also excited to lead Thornton Academy athletics into the future with the building of our new field house .”
Long-time Thornton Academy teacher and coach Mike Siviski was inducted into the Maine Sports Hall of Fame in September . Mike coached baseball , basketball , and spent 16 years as an assistant football coach at TA before returning to his alma mater , Winslow High , where he won 287 games and seven state titles as head coach . His fondest moment at TA came after a football win when Christine Agreste , wife of coach Dick Agreste , introduced Mike to her cousin Kathleen — now his wife of 37 years .
Alumni recognized for athletic performance , community involvement
Congratulations to the newest members of the Thornton Academy Athletic Hall of Fame , and the 2024 recipients of our alumni awards . The Hall added five individuals and one team at ceremonies on October 19 : Jim Black ’ 59 , Rod Choroszy ’ 67 , Bill Lombard ’ 55 , Charlotte Pierce ’ 13 , Dorothea Vlahakos ’ 52 , and the members of the 1974 Girls Cross Country Team .
In addition , the Alumni Association honored three outstanding TA alum at the ceremony : Robert Atwater ’ 67 received the Distinguished Alumni Award ; former Board president James Nelson ’ 67 was honored with the Public Service Award ; and longtime alumni and Trojan super fan Ernie Huot ’ 48 received the Unsung Hero Award .
Pictured , from left : Jim Nelson , Bob Atwater , Ernie Huot , Richard Parker ' 60 ( coach of the ' 74 track team ), Jim Black , Kimberly Tierney-Jones ' 77 ( representing the ' 74 track team ), Charlotte Pierce , Rod Choroszy .
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