Collegiate Times

Former Virginia Tech goalkeeper Chase Harrison excelled in his four years as a member of the men's soccer team and left Tech as one of the top goalkeepers to play for the Hokies.

This season, however, he's been faced with an entirely new test - Harrison joined Virginia Tech head coach Oliver Weiss' coaching staff during the offseason and now serves as the goalkeepers coach for the Hokies.

"It's great being back in Blacksburg," Harrison said. "I love this town and I love Virginia Tech, so it's great to be back."

In four years and 79 appearances in goal for the Virginia Tech soccer program, Harrison became a master of keeping the ball out of the net and graduated as the holder of numerous school records, including goals against average (1.12), shutouts (24) and minutes (7,181). He also sits fifth on Tech's all-time saves list and led the Hokies to their first-ever NCAA Tournament berth in 2003.

"He's the quintessential student-athlete that you want to have in your program, because all he does is overachieve," Weiss said. "He worked at his game and he improved, and he bypassed everybody with more talent."

Now, the Hokies are enjoying similar success with Harrison as a part of the team, though in a different role. Tech is currently riding a 13-game unbeaten streak and is ranked No. 4 in the latest NSCAA/Adidas poll, the highest ranking ever for the Hokies.

Several players on the 2007 roster played with Harrison in the early stages of their collegiate careers, including co-captains Ben Nason and Scott Spangler.

"Seeing Nason scoring the game-winner in overtime (against Clemson) and Scott Spangler scoring the game-winner against UNC, it's just exciting to see those guys still succeeding," Harrison said. "Especially in their senior year when it's one of their last opportunities to play here at Tech."

Harrison's transition from player to coach began this past offseason, when Weiss called him to inquire about recommendations for a goalkeeper coach. Harrison recommended a few people while also expressing his own interest in the job, and after a couple more phone conversations with Weiss, the former Tech goalkeeper was invited to return to Blacksburg to fill the position.

Weiss described Harrison's role with the team as a combination of training the goalkeepers while also assisting in all other coaching aspects as Weiss sees fit, and in the limited time Harrison has been with the team as a coach, Weiss has liked what he's seen.

"In such a short period of time, he's been tremendously helpful," Weiss said. "With his personality and his quick learning curve, you give him a task and it's taken care of."

In addition to his familiarity with Weiss and the program, Harrison also brings a dose of professional experience. Harrison heard his name called No. 26 overall by Real Salt Lake in the 2006 Major League Soccer Supplemental Draft where he spent time gaining experience among some of the world's top players.

While Harrison plans to continue to advance his professional career, with the way the league is set up, he can continue to play professionally while coaching the Hokies.

As far as his future plans, Harrison feels that it's still too early to tell exactly what lies ahead, but coaching remains an option in the long run.

"If that option (coaching) is still around, yeah, I would love to continue to coach here as long as possible," Harrison said. "You know, maybe it might be something I could make a permanent career in the future."

And if the early indications are any sign of what's to come, it looks as if Harrison could find the same success in the coaching ranks as he did as a player.

"You just can't change your personality," Weiss said. "Your personality (and) your character influences everything you do in life and he brings that same tenacity, that same analytical skill, that same drive and determination to this job."