Courtesy: Hartford Athletic Communications
WEST HARTFORD, Conn. –- Director of Athletics Patricia H. Meiser has named Tom Poitras the ninth head coach in the 54-year history of the University of Hartford men’s soccer program. A native of Southington, Conn., Poitras comes to Hartford with a polished résumé that includes 17 years of collegiate coaching experience.
“In Tom, we have an individual who has been a head coach at three highly-respected institutions and comes to Hartford with a wealth of experience,” exclaimed Meiser. “In each case, he made a significant impact on the success of the men’s soccer programs. Not only has he established a winning tradition, but he has created a culture of excellence in the classroom as well. We are very pleased to welcome Tom back to the Nutmeg State and I am confident he will lead the Hawks to a bright future.”
Poitras recently completed his seventh season as the head coach at the University of Wisconsin Green Bay where he piloted the Phoenix to an impressive 72-46-18 record, including four seasons with 10 or more wins and four Horizon League Championship game appearances. Most impressively, Poitras guided Green Bay to a historic season in 2009 that saw the program earn its first-ever Horizon League title coupled with an NCAA Division I Tournament appearance, the first in 26 years.
“Tom is a dynamic veteran men’s soccer coach who has achieved incredible success at a number of levels,” declared Walter Harrison, University of Hartford President. He continued, “We are delighted that he will be joining us at the University of Hartford.”
In addition to his work on the field, Poitras has been a mentor to his student-athletes off the field, helping the Phoenix earn the NSCAA Team Academic Award in 2010. In addition, Poitras produced four Academic All-Americans while boosting the team’s average grade point average to an impressive 3.0 during his tenure.
“I am extremely excited to become the new head coach for the University of Hartford Hawks men’s soccer,” commented Poitras. “I would like to thank President Walter Harrison and Director of Athletics Pat Meiser for entrusting me to lead the men’s soccer program. I feel great about the direction of the University and the Athletic Department and I look forward to working with everyone at the University of Hartford to develop a championship program on and off the field. I would also like to thank Brian Gerrity and the search committee for all of their help in this process and for giving me and my family the opportunity to return home to Connecticut.”
Prior to his arrival at UW-Green Bay, Poitras spent six seasons at Southern New Hampshire where he amassed a record of 81-25-16 which included four NCAA Division II tournament appearances and five seasons with 10 wins. In 2002, Poitras took the Penman to the NCAA Division II championship game and was named the NSCAA New England Region Coach of the Year after posting a 20-3-2 mark on the season. In addition, Poitras produced eight All-Americans and led the Penmen to top-20 national rankings in five consecutive seasons.
Poitras spent four seasons at the University of New Haven prior to his stint at Southern New Hampshire. During his tenure, Poitras orchestrated one of the nation’s top single season turnarounds, lifting the Chargers to back-to-back 10-win seasons after inheriting a squad that posted just five victories prior to his arrival. Deemed the New England Collegiate Conference Coach of the Year in 1996, Poitras culminated a 15-6-1 mark in the 1997 season.
At all three of his collegiate coaching stints, Poitras has helped bring in several top recruiting classes. During his coaching career, Poitras has developed 13 All-Americans, 31 All-Region and 70 All-Conference members. Seventeen of Poitras’ players have gone on to play professionally.
Poitras played his college soccer at Southern Connecticut State from 1987-91, serving as a four-year starter for the Owls. In addition, he helped the team capture the Division II national championship team in 1987. Poitras graduated from SCSU in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in recreation and leisure studies and went on the play at the professional level spending two seasons with the Connecticut Wolves of the Interregional Soccer League.
Poitras earned his USSF ‘A’ coaching license in 1993 and served as an Olympic Development staff coach both in Region I and Region II. Additionally, he was a USSF Coaches Licensing Program Associate Director in Connecticut.
Poitras takes over a Hartford men’s soccer program that has made three America East tournament appearances in its last four years. The Hawks return Patrick Boucher, who led the team with seven points on three goals and an assist, from a team that posted a 5-10 record in 2010.
Poitras and his wife, Alison, will reside in Connecticut with their son, Ian (6), and daughter, Ella (3).