Hall of Fame

Members - Maureen Maloney, Colleen Maloney, Laurie Scott, Sandy Crowe , Elaine Pendleton, Cherie Vachon, Donna Smith, Kim Tierney, Phyllis Cook, Elaine Sullivan, Karen Horvat, Dianne Paquin

The 1974 Thornton Academy Girls Cross Country Team became unexpected trailblazers, forming just a year after Title IX when Maureen Maloney and Laurie Scott asked to run with the boys’ team and quickly inspired others to join. Despite limited opportunities and few schools with girls’ teams, they remained undefeated in dual and triangular meets, highlighted by their victory at the Great Pumpkin Classic, effectively earning recognition as state champions. Remarkably, they also competed against future Olympic champion Joan Benoit Samuelson, finishing within a minute of her. More than their impressive results, the team embodied resilience, camaraderie, and a pioneering spirit, breaking barriers for female athletes and leaving a lasting legacy at Thornton Academy and beyond.

Charlotte Pierce left an indelible mark on Thornton Academy athletics as one of the most accomplished distance runners in school history, breaking all four indoor and outdoor records in the 1600- and 3200-meter runs—records that stood for nine years—while also ranking among the best in the 800 meters. A versatile and selfless competitor, she often ran multiple grueling events at championship meets, winning SMAA titles, a state championship in the indoor mile, and earning top finishes at New England and national competitions. Beyond track, she was twice a top-10 finisher in the state cross country championships and was recognized as one of Maine’s best runners. Known not only for her extraordinary talent but also for her dedication, humility, and kindness, Charlotte excelled academically and personally, ultimately continuing her athletic career at Columbia University. She is remembered as a record-breaker, a leader, and a true teammate whose impact extended well beyond the stopwatch.

Jim Black distinguished himself as a multi-sport athlete and respected leader whose influence extended far beyond the playing field. A three-year starter and senior captain for Thornton Academy football, he anchored both offense and defense with toughness, teamwork, and integrity, later earning All-Conference honors. He also excelled as a first baseman on the 1958 Telegram League champion baseball team and as a standout shot putter in winter track, showcasing his versatility. After graduation, Jim served proudly in the U.S. Marine Corps, built a successful career with Bell Telephone, and devoted himself to family and community. Remembered for his humility, sportsmanship, and commitment to others, Jim Black remains a model of leadership and character, admired by teammates, friends, and all who knew him.

Dorothea Vlahakos ’52 embodied the spirit of Linda Ellis’s poem The Dash, using her short but impactful life to shape the future of girls’ athletics and education. After earning degrees in physical education and Spanish literature, she returned to Thornton Academy in the 1960s as a teacher and coach, leading field hockey, basketball, and softball teams while promoting sportsmanship, integrity, and healthy living. Her basketball teams were especially dominant, recording multiple undefeated seasons and setting a standard of excellence long before girls’ championships existed in Maine. Later, she pioneered women’s athletics at Gorham State Teachers College, becoming the school’s first women’s volleyball coach. Though her life was tragically cut short at age 34, Dorothea’s legacy endures through the scholarship in her name at the University of Southern Maine, honoring her leadership, character, and lasting contributions to women’s athletics.

In the 1960s, amidst a turbulent era in America, Thornton Academy fans found steady confidence in the athletic excellence of Rod Choroszy, a true “man for all seasons.” A standout in baseball, football, and basketball, Choroszy excelled as both a pitcher and hitter, earning back-to-back All-Telegram League honors and delivering a legendary 22-strikeout game against Cheverus. On the gridiron, he was a three-year starter and senior co-captain known as the team’s “golden arm,” while in basketball he became a two-year letterman, a top scorer, and a state finalist in foul shooting. Choroszy continued his baseball career at the University of Maine before transitioning into a highly successful coaching career at both the high school and collegiate levels, earning statewide recognition and induction into the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015, cementing his legacy as one of TA’s most versatile and accomplished athletes.

Golden moments in athletics are not defined by victories but by perseverance, joy, and the spirit of competing. As a freshman on Thornton Academy’s track team in 1989, Nicholas “Nicky” Scontras consistently finished last in his races, yet always ran with determination, inspiring athletes and parents alike to cheer him on with growing admiration. Though he did not qualify for the championship meet, Nicky’s dedication, resilience, and pride in his team earned him the prestigious Jim Daly Award, celebrating his spirit and perseverance. This heartwarming recognition became a golden moment in TA’s history, and Nicky’s legacy continues today as the longtime football team manager, part of six state championship teams, and a regular competitor in the Special Olympics, embodying the true joy and meaning of athletics.

In the spring of 1963, amid a changing cultural landscape marked by the rise of Beatlemania and new trends like cassette decks and the Filet-O-Fish, Thornton Academy's baseball team, led by rookie coach Phil Curtis, captured the Telegram League championship with a 15–1 record. Building on the school’s recent football state title, the team showcased resilience and grit, winning five one-run games and staging seven come-from-behind victories. Key moments included a season-opening win over Westbrook, a pivotal rally against defending champion Deering, and the title-clinching victory over South Portland, powered by standout performances from pitcher Bob Kimball and clutch plays despite minimal hitting. All-League honors went to Kimball, catcher David McNabb, and shortstop/outfielder Charley Belanger, while the full roster contributed to one of the most memorable seasons in TA baseball history.

Joe Girardi, a 1973 graduate of Thornton Academy, is still regarded as one of the greatest sprinters in the school’s storied track and field history. Excelling in both indoor and outdoor track, he won multiple championships, including the intermediate 300-yard dash and relay at the Southwestern meet, and the 440-yard dash at the state level. As a junior, he helped TA secure its second straight Class B outdoor title, and as a senior—now competing in Class A—he set a Maine state record in the 440 with a time of 50.0 seconds, then broke his own record a week later at the New England Championships with a 49.9-second run. That mark stood as the state’s best for over a decade and remains the TA school record. Girardi also holds several now-retired league records, ensuring his legacy endures in the program’s history.

Bob Kimball grew up in Saco dreaming of playing football for Thornton Academy, idolizing local heroes and developing his skills in city parks. Wearing the same #18 jersey as his childhood favorite Ken Lane, Kimball became a dominant two-way player and a cornerstone of one of Maine’s top offensive units, earning All-State honors as a junior and senior. His legacy was cemented in the legendary 1962 state championship game against rival St. Louis High, where he carried the ball on every play of the final drive, scoring the winning touchdown. A three-sport athlete, Kimball also starred in baseball and basketball, later playing four years of collegiate baseball at Colby College under Hall of Fame coach John Winkin. After earning his degree in Business Administration in 1967, he returned briefly to TA as a teacher and coach before a long career in life insurance and entrepreneurship. Revered for his leadership and clutch performances, Kimball’s contributions to Thornton Academy athletics remain iconic.

Father Hilary Mahaney, a standout three-sport athlete at Thornton Academy in the 1950s, is being honored 65 years after his final baseball game for the school. Excelling in baseball, football, and basketball, Mahaney played under legendary coaches and quickly rose to prominence, winning the 1957 Telegram League batting title and earning back-to-back All-League honors as a pitcher. His dominant performances helped lead his team to a share of the league title and cemented his legacy in Saco baseball, including summer Legion state titles. Beyond athletics, he was a four-year class president, National Honor Society member, and respected leader. After graduating in 1958, Mahaney attended Notre Dame and later the University of Maine, ultimately pursuing the priesthood in Rome with Opus Dei. Since the late 1990s, he has served as a parish priest in Chicago. He and his father, Hilary Sr., are the only father-son pair inducted into the Thornton Academy Athletic Hall of Fame.