Alumni Award News

Jami Ladakakos-Regan was a pioneering member of the girl’s varsity soccer program at Thornton Academy. The team began competing at the varsity level during Jami’s sophomore season. Despite having only three varsity seasons to score goals, Jami sits second on TA’s all-time scoring list with 50 goals. She also ranks third in school history for career points with 118. Jami scored four goals in a game on two separate occasions, which is a Thornton Academy school record.

Scott Nason, former TA girls soccer coach said, “Jami was at the forefront of building a very successful program for female athletics at Thornton Academy. While she could always be counted on to show up and play her heart out on the field, Jami’s off-the-field contributions were great as well. Jami often volunteered her time to help with the Saco Recreation soccer program either officiating or coaching. Jami also made herself available any time help was needed on campus. While Jami was part of the program, there was no turf field, and if there were to be a summer soccer program, it was up to the teams to prepare the field for play. Jami could always be counted on to hang nets, line the fields, or whatever was asked of her. While Jami was a fierce competitor and matured a great deal in her four years of soccer at TA, her heart was always about furthering the development of soccer at Thornton Academy and the community.” Coach Nason awarded Jami his coach’s award in 1994 at the conclusion of her senior season.

In addition to her school records and awards, Jami was recognized by other coaches across the state for her skills on the pitch. She was a first-team SMAA All-Star in her three varsity seasons at Thornton. Jami also was named to the Maine Soccer Coaches Association Western Maine Class A Regional All-Star Team in both 1993 and 1994, and in those same years she was named to the Maine Soccer Coaches Association Western Maine All-Class All-Star Team. Additionally, the Maine Sunday Telegram named Jami to their All-State Soccer Second Team in 1993 and First Team in 1994.

Jami was also a member of the Thornton Academy indoor and outdoor track and field teams during her time on campus and was an accomplished hurdler. Jami was recognized as an SMAA All-Star in that event during the 1995 indoor track season.

Upon graduating from TA, Jamie majored in criminal justice at Franklin Pierce College where she continued to play soccer. Her teams played in four Division II National Championship games and won three of them. A few years after college, Jami returned to the sidelines of Thornton Academy and coached the varsity girls soccer team from 2003 through 2005.

Jami now lives in Saco with her husband Jeff, their three sons, and two daughters. She is a corporal at the Old Orchard Police Department where she has served for the past 21 years.