Jim Pollihan
Encyclopedia
James "Jim" Pollihan is a former U.S. soccer player who was an outstanding collegiate forward with Quincy University
but moved to defense
as a professional. He earned fifteen caps with the U.S. national team
between 1976 and 1979.
with the Quincy University
soccer team between 1970 and 1975. Quincy played in the NAIA
where it dominated the men’s soccer competition from the late 1960s through the 1980s. In 1970, Pollihan’s first year with the team, Quincy, went to the championship game
where it fell to Davis and Elkins College
. Pollihan was selected to the All Tournament team. Beginning in 1973, Quincy went on a tear, winning the next three titles. Pollihan was named the tournament’s Outstanding Forward in 1973, 1974 and 1975. He added to his honors when he was selected as the tournament MVP in 1974. In addition, he was an NAIA second team All American in 1974 and an Honorable Mention in 1975.http://www.quincy.edu/Athletics/MSoccer/HawkHonors.php In 1982, the NAIA inducted Pollihan into its soccer Hall of Fame. He has also been inducted into the Quincy University
Hall of Fame.
of the North American Soccer League
(NASL) drafted Pollihan in the first round of the NASL College Draft. The Los Angeles Skyhawks
of the American Soccer League
also drafted Pollihan, but he signed with the Lancers. Pollihan spent five seasons with the Lancers until the team folded at the end of the 1980 season. In 1978, the New York Arrows
of Major Indoor Soccer League
(MISL) began to prepare for both the team’s and the league’s first season. Rather than building a roster from scratch, the team decided to sign the Rochester Lancers players as its team. On December 22, 1978, the Arrows played the Cincinnati Kids
in the league’s first game. Pollihan, despite being a defender, scored the game’s, the team’s, and the league’s first goal. Pollihan won the league championship with the Arrows that season, then went on to spend another five seasons in the MISL. He played from 1979 to 1980 with the Houston Summit
and from 1980 to 1984 with the Baltimore Blast.
between 1976 and 1979. His first game came when he started a September 24, 1976 tie with Canada
. He played one more game a month later, then did not appear for the U.S. again for another year. He played in about half the U.S. games through 1977 and 1979. His last cap came in a crushing 6-0 loss to France
on May 2, 1979.
an expansion franchise with the National Professional Soccer League (NPSL) hired Pollihan as the club’s first coach. He took the Heat into the playoffs each of his seven seasons as head coach. In 1995, the Heat went to the championship series only to fall to the St. Louis Ambush
. Pollihan was also the 1991-1992 NPSL Coach of the Year. After handing over the coaching reins to Richard Chinapoo
in 1999, Pollihan moved into the team’s front office as the Vice President of Soccer Operations, a position he held until January 2003. He is fourth on the NPSL list of coaching victories with 155.
Quincy University
Quincy University a private liberal arts Catholic university in the Franciscan tradition. It is located in Quincy, Illinois and currently enrolls around 1,300 students.-History:...
but moved to defense
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
as a professional. He earned fifteen caps with the U.S. national team
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
between 1976 and 1979.
College
Pollihan starred as a forwardStriker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
with the Quincy University
Quincy University
Quincy University a private liberal arts Catholic university in the Franciscan tradition. It is located in Quincy, Illinois and currently enrolls around 1,300 students.-History:...
soccer team between 1970 and 1975. Quincy played in the NAIA
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is an athletic association that organizes college and university-level athletic programs. Membership in the NAIA consists of smaller colleges and universities across the United States. The NAIA allows colleges and universities outside the USA...
where it dominated the men’s soccer competition from the late 1960s through the 1980s. In 1970, Pollihan’s first year with the team, Quincy, went to the championship game
NAIA national men's soccer championship
-Previous winners:* - Co-Champions.+ - Davis & Elkins vacated second place due to an ineligible player^ - Park vacated second place due to an ineligible player1963 Title game canceled due to Snow-Players:...
where it fell to Davis and Elkins College
Davis and Elkins College
Davis & Elkins College, also known as D&E, is a small residential liberal arts college located in Elkins, West Virginia, United States. The school was founded in 1904 and is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. It was named for Henry G. Davis and his son-in-law Stephen B. Elkins who were both...
. Pollihan was selected to the All Tournament team. Beginning in 1973, Quincy went on a tear, winning the next three titles. Pollihan was named the tournament’s Outstanding Forward in 1973, 1974 and 1975. He added to his honors when he was selected as the tournament MVP in 1974. In addition, he was an NAIA second team All American in 1974 and an Honorable Mention in 1975.http://www.quincy.edu/Athletics/MSoccer/HawkHonors.php In 1982, the NAIA inducted Pollihan into its soccer Hall of Fame. He has also been inducted into the Quincy University
Quincy University
Quincy University a private liberal arts Catholic university in the Franciscan tradition. It is located in Quincy, Illinois and currently enrolls around 1,300 students.-History:...
Hall of Fame.
Professional
On January 14, 1976, the Rochester LancersRochester Lancers
The Rochester Lancers were a soccer team based in Rochester, New York that played in the American Soccer League from 1967 until 1969 and the North American Soccer League from 1970 to 1980 at Aquinas Stadium...
of the North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
(NASL) drafted Pollihan in the first round of the NASL College Draft. The Los Angeles Skyhawks
Los Angeles Skyhawks
The Los Angeles Skyhawks was a professional soccer club based in Los Angeles, California that was a member of the American Soccer League. Founded as part of the American Soccer League's expansion to the west coast in 1976, they were the first professional sports team to be based in the San Fernando...
of the American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
also drafted Pollihan, but he signed with the Lancers. Pollihan spent five seasons with the Lancers until the team folded at the end of the 1980 season. In 1978, the New York Arrows
New York Arrows
The New York Arrows was an indoor soccer team that played in the original Major Indoor Soccer League from 1978 to 1984. They won the first four MISL championships.-Preparing for the first season:...
of Major Indoor Soccer League
Major Soccer League
The Major Indoor Soccer League, known in its final two seasons as the Major Soccer League, was an indoor soccer league in the USA from 1978 to 1992. After the folding of the North American Soccer League in 1984, the MISL was the Division I soccer league for the United States...
(MISL) began to prepare for both the team’s and the league’s first season. Rather than building a roster from scratch, the team decided to sign the Rochester Lancers players as its team. On December 22, 1978, the Arrows played the Cincinnati Kids
Cincinnati Kids
The Cincinnati Kids were a soccer team based out of Cincinnati that played in the original Major Indoor Soccer League. They played only in the 1978-79 MISL season and were partially owned by Pete Rose. Their home arena was Riverfront Coliseum....
in the league’s first game. Pollihan, despite being a defender, scored the game’s, the team’s, and the league’s first goal. Pollihan won the league championship with the Arrows that season, then went on to spend another five seasons in the MISL. He played from 1979 to 1980 with the Houston Summit
Houston Summit (indoor soccer)
Houston Summit were a professional indoor soccer team that operated from 1978-1980. They played in the MISL. In 1980 the franchise was moved to Baltimore to become the Baltimore Blast...
and from 1980 to 1984 with the Baltimore Blast.
National team
Pollihan earned fifteen caps with the U.S. national teamUnited States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
between 1976 and 1979. His first game came when he started a September 24, 1976 tie with Canada
Canada men's national soccer team
The Canada men's national soccer team represents Canada in international soccer competitions at the senior men's level. They are overseen by the Canadian Soccer Association and compete in the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football .Their most significant...
. He played one more game a month later, then did not appear for the U.S. again for another year. He played in about half the U.S. games through 1977 and 1979. His last cap came in a crushing 6-0 loss to France
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
on May 2, 1979.
Coaching
Pollihan was an assistant coach with the Baltimore Blast as early was the fall of 1986. He resigned from the Blast on August 16, 1991 in order to become the head coach of the Harrisburg Heat. In 1991, the Harrisburg HeatHarrisburg Heat
The Harrisburg Heat was a professional indoor soccer team based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The team was part of the National Professional Soccer League, which later became the Major Indoor Soccer League, and has been defunct since 2003. The Harrisburg Heat was first formed during the 1991-92...
an expansion franchise with the National Professional Soccer League (NPSL) hired Pollihan as the club’s first coach. He took the Heat into the playoffs each of his seven seasons as head coach. In 1995, the Heat went to the championship series only to fall to the St. Louis Ambush
St. Louis Ambush
The St. Louis Ambush was a professional indoor soccer team based in St. Louis, Missouri. Originally located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the team played one season at the Tulsas Pavilion Expo Square. Vernon Riggs was the General Manager. Keith Dial was the Managing General Partner. Former Tulsa Roughneck...
. Pollihan was also the 1991-1992 NPSL Coach of the Year. After handing over the coaching reins to Richard Chinapoo
Richard Chinapoo
Richard Chinapoo was a Trinidad soccer defender who had an extensive career, primarily in the United States. Chinapoo spent two seasons in the North American Soccer League, eight in the National Professional Soccer League and at least eight in the Major Indoor Soccer League...
in 1999, Pollihan moved into the team’s front office as the Vice President of Soccer Operations, a position he held until January 2003. He is fourth on the NPSL list of coaching victories with 155.