TA Postscripts, Spring 2024 | Page 7

Karen Reardon ‘ 76

Karen , a two-sport athlete at Thornton , spent 40 years teaching Health & Physical Education and coaching at the high school and college levels . She retired in 2021 but is back in the game as the coordinator of the Maine Senior Games . “ We do everything from archery and 3-on-3 basketball to swimming , track & field , and of course pickleball , tennis , table tennis , and cornhole .”
A graduate of Springfield College , Karen earned All New England honors there in the discus . She says her love of sports blossomed at Thornton , where she played basketball and competed in track and field throwing events . Her TA classmates voted her Most Athletic .
Playing girls ’ basketball under Phil Curtis laid the groundwork for how she coached her players . “ His expectation and the way he treated us was outstanding ,” she recalls . “ He treated us like athletes and did things like stats and scouting and videotaping games . The level of intensity that he demanded - and at the same time the fun that we had - was outstanding . It was a really good experience .”

& THEN NOW NOW

Ken

Ken and Nancy Pike

’ 65 was practicing foul shots in the old gym when he noticed Nancy ( Scamman ) ’ 67 speaking with a friend nearby . The distraction caused the normally sharp-shooting Ken to miss a few , prompting a scolding from coach Jim McGaffin . With some help from a matchmaking friend , the two began dating , and Ken regained his touch at the foul line . “ We are both enjoying retirement and just celebrated our 55th wedding anniversary that all started at TA 60 years ago ,” says Ken .
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