George Sisson, Jamestown Community College athletic director, introduces Tom Harrington as the Jayhawks’ new women’s soccer coach. Submitted photo

Tom Harrington’s introduction to soccer came about 20 years ago when his son first signed up when the family was living in Milwaukee.

“He started playing in the first grade, and they needed somebody to pick up cones and take kids to the bathroom, so I was the guy to do that,” Harrington said with a smile.

To say that Harrington, the married father of three who now lives in Warren, Pennsylvania, has since elevated himself in the coaching ranks would be a huge understatement.

In fact, since those humble beginnings, Harrington’s resume includes coaching the Warren Area High School soccer team for six years during which he won five regional championships, two district titles and was a three-time state qualifier. During his tenure at Warren, he posted an 87-32-1 record for a .729 winning percentage.

When added together, Jamestown Community College felt he was the right man for the coaching job as the school brings back women’s soccer to the campus this fall.

“I am extremely excited to have this opportunity to build a new chapter in the women’s soccer program at JCC,” Harrington said. “Along with myself and my staff, I look forward to the challenge of not only recruiting good players, but also solid students and quality people who can, and will, make a difference both on and off the pitch at JCC.”

The Jayhawks did not field a team last fall, one year after they reached the NJCAA Region 3 Division III championship game under former coach Dana Shelters.

“I’m a competitor,” said Harrington, who graduated from Corry (Pa.) High School in 1988. “If I was going to coach chess or tiddlywinks, I would put the same kind of effort into it. I would do all the research, read all the books that I could.”

Dr. Daniel DeMarte, JCC president, said in a statement that women’s soccer has played and “will continue to play a major role in attracting women soccer players from our community.”

“We look forward to watching this program grow this season and return to its success that it has enjoyed in the past,” he added.

To that end, Harrington said his first priority will be to “recruit, recruit, recruit.”

“That’s first and foremost, getting out there and making some contacts and getting some players here to play,” he said. “… We’re going to leave no stone unturned. We’ll definitely be paying attention to local players.”

In addition to his experience at Warren Area High School, Harrington also held head coaching and director of coaching positions for the Kinzua Soccer Club, and has coached numerous indoor soccer teams. He is currently the director of the Warren YMCA youth soccer camp.

“We’re excited about having somebody with his experience and knowledge of the game,” Jamestown CC athletic director George Sisson said. “When I was doing background on him, the conversation was he’ll do a great job of putting his players in a place to be successful. That’s a big key.”

Added Sisson: “I know Dr. DeMarte is very excited about getting this program back up and going, because it really does service a lot of young people in our geographic region in higher education. Today is a wonderful day. This is step one in getting our athletic program to another level that is expected by our administration. For me, it’s my first hire. I’m excited about it.”

Sisson said that any players interested in becoming part of the women’s soccer team should contact the athletic department at 338-1269 or email him at georgesisson@mail.sunyjcc.edu.