WARREN — Emily Frikken has been athletic director at Regina High School for just a couple of years, but they’ve been remarkable.
A week ago, she was named Athletic Director of the Year in Region 13 by the Michigan Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association for the 2023-24 school year. She received the award March 16 in Traverse City at the annual MIAAA Mid-Winter Conference.
“It’s very flattering,” Frikken said, “to be recognized by my peers who have been around much longer than me. I always wanted to be an AD. There’s always something going on. I’m blessed to have administrative support. In the Catholic League there’s always someone I can talk to. And Laff is always on my speed dial.”
“Laff” is the legendary Diane Laffey, who retired two years ago after serving 60 years in Michigan high school athletics, the last 52 at Regina as athletic director and basketball and softball coach.
Frikken is on the committee overseeing the development of the Diane Laffey Athletic Complex, a $4.5 million project the school formally launched a year ago to upgrade facilities for tennis, track, lacrosse, soccer, field hockey and softball.
Nearly completed eight tennis courts are the first of the project’s three phases, Frikken said. “The girls are all excited, although they’ll still have to travel to nearby Macomb Community College for their practices and games. We’re hoping we can put down temporary lines so the senior players can get a couple of matches in in May. We’ll put down permanent lines come July’s hot, dry weather.”
Frikken said work on the second phase — an eight-lane, quarter-mile track and artificial turf field for soccer, lacrosse and field hockey — hopefully will begin this summer “pending fundraising and financing.”
The third phase will consist of the grandstand, entrance, concessions, restrooms, relocated junior varsity softball field and restructured parking lots.
Frikken, a 2009 alumna of Regina who joined the Regina staff six years ago, had previously served as alumnae relations director, American literature/AP language teacher, and basketball and softball coach.
She is also committed to supporting Regina students along their spiritual journeys, serving as a moderator for the Kairos retreat, which she introduced to Regina. The retreat is described as a “four-day spiritual retreat which helps students strengthen their relationship with God, their classmates and themselves.”
“Emily has been a driving force in creating an environment where female athletes feel empowered to succeed,” Regina principal Ann Diamond said. “Through her leadership, she has dismantled barriers and stereotypes, paving the way for a more inclusive and supportive athletic community.”
CHSL associate director Mike Evoy said, “Regina High School is a better place because of Emily.”
Contact Don Horkey at [email protected].
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