March 19, 2008
Hesston College Athletic Director Art Mullet announced the appointment of Dan Harrison as Larks women’s basketball coach Wednesday, March 19.
Harrison has been a psychology professor at Hesston College since 2004. He served as assistant women’s basketball coach during the Larks 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons.
"I'm pleased that Dan is eager to make the transition from assistant to head coach in the women's program,” Mullet said. “His experience and background well-qualify him for the job. He knows the territory and I have no doubt that he will be successful in this mission."
Academic Dean Sandra Zerger pointed out that Harrison has coached men's and women's teams in golf and basketball at a variety of schools, including Wichita State University, Haysville (Campus High School), Minneola (Kan.) High School, and Garden City (Kan.) High School.
“His basketball teams have had success at the state level, and his golf teams have had qualifiers at the national level,” she said. “In addition to coaching, Dan has been involved in teaching and counseling responsibilities. We are confident that Dan will recruit good students who will win on the court, excel in the classroom, and grow socially and spiritually.
Harrison emphasized, "I view coaching as a ministry with the opportunity to work with young people to prepare them to make a positive difference in our world. My philosophy of continuing to build a faith-based team—faith in each other as teammates and faith in our God-given talents—is a reflection of my own playing experience in golf and men’s basketball as a student at Hesston College.
“[Coach] Joel [Kauffman] has left me a cadillac of a program and I just want to shine it up and make it go faster,” Harrison said.
A 1979 graduate of Hesston College, Harrison holds a bachelor’s degree in health, physical education, and social studies from Tabor College, Hillsboro, Kan. (1981), and a master’s of education degree in counseling from Wichita State University (1993).
Prior to that, he served as counselor and varsity boys basketball coach both at Campus High School, Haysville, Kan., and Minneola High School. He also was a teacher and coach at Garden City High School. In 2004, the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association recognized Harrison for 15 years of service to student-athletes.
Harrison coached women’s golf at WSU 1989-93. In 1992, his golf team won the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) championship and he was named MVC coach of the year.
During the 1981-82 school year at Hesston College, Harrison served as admissions counselor, golf coach, and activities director, after being a student 1977-79.
Harrison replaces Joel Kauffman, who resigned earlier this month after 21 years as women’s basketball coach at Hesston College. Last week, Kauffman accepted the position of vice president of Admissions and Financial Aid Services at the college.
Hesston College is the two-year liberal arts college of Mennonite Church USA. In women’s basketball, the Larks compete in Division II of the National Junior College Athletic Association.
Hesston College Women's Basketball