The UMass Dartmouth Athletics community deeply mourns the loss of former Head Football Coach Paul Harrison, who passed away earlier this week after a lengthy illness.
Coach Harrison served as the first mentor in the Corsairs' NCAA Division III varsity history during the 1988 and 1989 campaigns after helping elevate the program from club status. He led UMass Dartmouth to a winning mark of 5-4 during that inaugural 1988 season and seven triumphs overall during his tenure, and he returned to the program to serve as an assistant to Head Coach Mark Robichaud.
“It was an absolute privilege to have Coach Harrison as part of our football program over the past several years,” Robichaud said of Harrison. “He was an outstanding role model for our players and our staff. He loved UMass Dartmouth Football and especially the young men involved. Whenever Coach would address the team, he would speak from his heart about the great game of football, the character it can build and the lessons it can teach.
“Coach Harrison was so proud of the players he coached at UMass Dartmouth, he told great stories about many of them,” Robichaud continued. “As time progressed he was able to be with us less and less, but when he was able to make practice all of our kids would light up. He will be missed.”
Harrison served as a teacher of business and social studies at Middleboro High School for over three decades, and he spent nearly 40 years as a coach at both the high school and collegiate levels. One of the most respected teachers and administrators in the region, Harrison was honored with numerous coaching awards and honors during his distinguished career.
“Coach Harrison will always hold a very special place in the history of UMass Dartmouth Athletics, and our entire campus community is saddened by his passing,” Corsair Director of Athletics Amanda Van Voorhis said of Harrison. “He left an indelible mark on the football program and on so many student-athletes that he provided direction, guidance and leadership to, and the impact that he made on so many young lives over the years will forever be his legacy.”
Funeral services for Coach Harrison will be held on Saturday, March 9th at the Central Congregational Church, 2 Webster Street, Middleboro at 11:00 am. Donations in Coach Harrison's memory may be made to the UMass Dartmouth Football Program, Attention: Gift Processing, 285 Old Westport Road, Dartmouth, MA 02747 – on memo line, please list Paul K. Harrison.
