LOWELL, Mass. — UMass Lowell Women's Soccer Head Coach Mira Novak has announced the elevation of James Thorpe to Associate Head Coach, recognizing his outstanding leadership and key contributions in attracting talented student-athletes to the women's soccer program since 2021.
"James has been a key member of our coaching staff over the last five seasons since joining from URI," said Novak. "He is one of the hardest workers out there, who is extremely competitive and demanding, and can also build positive relationships with our student-athletes at the same time. James has taken over the recruiting duties as the Recruitment Coordinator, and as a result of his efforts, we have seen a constant inflow of talented student-athletes with the Milly City GRIT mentality who contribute positively to our program. Under James' leadership, we have been able to secure a home playoff game in every one of the five seasons since he joined us, which is a testament to his contribution on and off the field to our program."
Thorpe played an immediate role in UMass Lowell's success during his first year in 2021, helping the River Hawks post an 8–6–3 overall record, setting the school's Division I program record for wins in a single season. The squad also held a 5–3–1 conference record in the America East, earning a second-place finish in the regular-season and extending its postseason streak to four consecutive appearances. Four River Hawks also garnered All-Conference honors that year, demonstrating Thorpe's value to the staff.
"I want to first say thank you to Lynn, our Sandra and Mira for the promotion," said Thorpe. "When I first started here at UMass Lowell, Mira had a vision of where he saw the program going, and right from the beginning, I knew I wanted to be a part of it. My goal was to help assist Mira to the best of my ability and help the program become a major threat in the America East while helping our student athletes become the best versions of themselves."
Since Thorpe joined the women's soccer program, the River Hawks have hosted a playoff game in each of his five years on the staff. He also helped guide the team to the America East Conference Championship in 2023, marking the program's first appearance in the title game since 2018. So far in his tenure at UMass Lowell, he has helped coach and produce 28 All-Conference honorees, reflecting his consistency as a coach and recruiter.
"It is a great honor to know that the administration and Mira believe in me and trust in my passion for not only the game, but the University," voiced Thorpe. "It is a privilege to help our student athletes grow on and off the field, while creating great role models in the community. I have loved working here for the past five seasons and am looking forward to what's to come."
In total, Thorpe has reached two America East Semifinals (2021, 2024) and one America East Championship (2023) with UMass Lowell. He has also assisted in developing five players who set single-season goal records at UMass Lowell.
His main responsibilities at UMass Lowell include serving as the recruiting coordinator, managing evaluations, communications, and visit logistics. Thorpe plans and delivers all goalkeeper training, defensive unit development, and daily team training sessions, while also conducting opponent scouting, video breakdown, and post-match analysis. He plays a big role in coordinating Team IMPACT participation, assisting with fundraising activities, and creating and organizing camps and youth clinics as well.
Before joining UMass Lowell, Thorpe was at the University of Rhode Island as an Associate Head Coach for the women's soccer team from 2019 to 2021. He also took on the recruiting coordinator duty for the Rams, as well as planned and executed team training sessions and oversaw the defensive line and goalkeeper development. Thorpe had previously worked at Rhode Island as an Assistant Coach on the men's soccer staff for two years (2014-2016). During his time with the men's team, he was able to coach the squad to Atlantic 10 Regular Season Champions (2014) and reached the 2014 Atlantic 10 Championship game. He led all goalkeeper training, oversaw team academics and compliance responsibilities, supported recruiting efforts, and planned and ran daily training sessions for the Rams.
Thorpe also gained some great insight and experience while working for Boston College's women's soccer program as an assistant coach for three years (2016-2019). One of his best years with the Eagles happened in 2018, when the team finished with a 14–5–1 overall record, ranking 20th nationally in Division I women's soccer. He was responsible for training and overseeing the defensive line and goalkeepers, as well as conducting recruiting and talent evaluation, and organizing team travel logistics. His first collegiate coaching opportunity was for the men's and women's soccer teams at Holy Cross as an assistant coach, starting in 2012 until 2014.
Thorpe is a former men's soccer player at Franklin Pierce University, playing all four years, and collected an assortment of awards and accolades during his collegiate playing tenure. He was an NCAA DII National Champion (2007), NCAA DII National Player of the Year (2007), Northeast-10 Rookie of the Year (2004), four-time NE-10 Goalkeeper of the Year, four-time NE-10 First Team selection, and a three-time All-American. After college, Thorpe joined the MLS (Major League Soccer) in 2008, playing for D.C. United for one season.
"I would like to thank our Athletic Director, Lynn Coutts, and our sport supervisor, Sandra Roecker, for making this happen for James and for their investment in our program in our pursuit of the America East banner," voiced Novak.
Thorpe earned his bachelor's in mass communication from Franklin Pierce University in 2008 and his master's in public service administration from the University of Evansville in 2012.
"Every year we have continued to reach new heights, and I am so grateful that I will continue to put my best foot forward and help us be even better than we were yesterday," said Thorpe.
