Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College will dedicate its soccer field after Bary Thrash, the program’s first coach, on Sept. 7 at the Perkinston Campus. 

“Bary Thrash built the Gulf Coast soccer program into one of the best in the state,” said Dr. Mary S. Graham, MGCCC President. “More importantly, he was a great mentor to his players both on and off the field. Naming the field for Bary is a great honor he earned through his tireless work for our college.”

Ceremonies naming it Bary Thrash Field will take place between the women’s and men’s soccer games against Jones County at the MGCCC Soccer Complex. The first game starts at 5 p.m. Admission is $5.

Thrash was a drafting and design instructor on the Perkinston Campus when he was named to be the men’s and women’s head coach in 1998. 

In 14 seasons, his men’s teams had 13 winning seasons and compiled a 174-58-11 record (.739 winning percentage), winning nearly 83 percent of their South Division games (106-21-3). The Bulldogs won three Region 23 championship, three MACJC titles and 10 South Division crowns.

When he retired from coaching in 2011, his women’s teams had a 149-69-14 record (.672) overall and a 78-19-7 South Division record (.784). The Lady Bulldogs won one Region 23 championship, two MACJC titles and three division crowns.

“We are extremely proud to name our soccer field after Coach Bary Thrash, an individual that has meant so much to MGCCC Soccer,” said Dr. Ladd Taylor, Gulf Coast Vice President of the Perkinston Campus. “It’s hard to imagine our men’s and women’s soccer programs being as successful as they are today without Coach Thrash.”

For more information on MGCCC’s 10 intercollegiate athletic teams, follow @MGCCCBulldogs on Twitter and MGCCCBulldogs on Facebook, and go to mgcccbulldogs.com.