One of the most successful coaches in western Pennsylvania collegiate soccer history, Girish Thakar got his start as one of the best players in Slippery Rock University history. A four-year letterwinner at Slippery Rock, Thakar starred at The Rock from 1987-90.
Despite playing for multiple head coaches over his career, Thakar still managed to earn All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference and All-Western Pennsylvania accolades over his collegiate career.
Before leaving Slippery Rock with a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education in 1991, Thakar was a member of numerous originations on campus including serving in the Special Olympics Soccer Development Program.
Upon graduation, Thakar embarked on a coaching career that has seen him be a part of over 12 area clubs, schools and organizations in the last 25 years. In 1993 Thakar was tabbed to lead his alma mater, becoming the sixth head coach in program history. Thakar coached at Slippery Rock for four seasons with his best year coming in 1994 when The Rock went 10-7-1.
In 1998 Thakar became the head coach of both the Westminster College men’s and women’s soccer teams. He has become one of the top head coaches in not only the President’s Athletic Conference, but all of NCAA Division III. Since coming to Westminster, Thakar has registered a 182-89-29 record as the women’s coach and a 184-148-26 mark as the men’s coach.
He has guided the Titans to nine PAC titles and nine NCAA Tournament berths. Thakar has also coached four All-Americans, 40 all-region selections and 120 All-PAC honorees.
Thakar, who obtained a master’s degree in education from Westminster in 2012, holds a NSCAA Advanced National Diploma and is the founder and coaching director of the L.C. Select Soccer Club in New Castle, Pennsylvania.
Thakar is the father of three children: Tristen, India and Kareena.
George Sims is introducing Girish tonight.Â
