Temple University Athletics
Mathis Harrison Named Assistant Track and Field Coach
11.8.06 | Men's Track and Field
Nov. 8, 2006
PHILADELPHIA - Mathis Harrison, who spent the past two seasons as an assistant at Duquesne University, has been named an assistant track and field coach at Temple University, head coach Stefanie Scalessa announced today. Harrison also spent nine years as the head coach and president of the International and River City Elite Track Clubs. The Pittsburgh, Pa. native will coach the sprinters at Temple.
"Mathis is an outstanding addition to our program," Scalessa said. "He is familiar with recruiting top-notch athletes both in the area high schools and club programs. He understands the uniqueness of coaching at a city institution and is excited about what Temple has to offer. In addition to being a great sprint and relay coach he is extremely knowledgeable in strength and conditioning."
While at Duquesne, Harrison helped lead the men's and women's track and field teams to the best conference finish in the program's history. The women finished second at the Atlantic 10 Outdoor Championship, while the men placed third.
"I am thankful and very excited about the opportunity that has been given to me by Coach Scalessa and the athletic administration," Harrison said. "Temple has a rich tradition in track and field and I look forward to the challenge of restoring and continuing it.
"My recruiting focus is on the talent pool here in the tri-state area which is historically comparable to anywhere in the country," he said. "Area athletes will be able to stay home and receive the top level coaching necessary to take our program to the next level."
Harrison trained 18 regional champions, 12 National Junior Olympic All-Americans, nine all-state performers, six national champions and four East Coast Champions at the International and River City Elite Track Clubs. He began coaching at his alma mater, Westinghouse High School, in 1998 as the sprints/middle distance coach. Over his four-year stint at Westinghouse, he saw 15 of his student-athletes win city championships, 13 were state qualifiers, nine state medalists and the 4 x 100m relay ranked No. 2 in Pennsylvania.
Harrison was a biology major and a track and field and football standout at Clarion University.
