[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 172 (Thursday, November 19, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2834]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING JAY HARRINGTON FOR HIS 700TH CAREER VICTORY AS A MEN'S 
                        COLLEGE BASKETBALL COACH

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                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 19, 2009

  Mr. COSTELLO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to 
join me in recognizing Jay Harrington, coach of the Southwestern 
Illinois College Blue Storm, who posted his 700th victory as a college 
men's basketball coach on November 13, 2009.
  Jay Harrington began his coaching career as an assistant at Western 
Kentucky University for one year followed by a year as an assistant 
coach at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Jay's first 
position as head coach was at Wabash Valley College where he coached 
for three years. He next took over as head coach at Southwestern 
Illinois College, then Belleville Area College, where he has been for 
the past 30 years. Last season, Coach Harrington posted his 600th 
victory as the coach of Southwestern Illinois College.
  Coach Harrington entered the 2009-2010 season with a career total of 
696 wins. He posted his 700th victory with a 64-49 win over Highland 
College before the home crowd at the Blue Storm Basketball Classic at 
Southwestern Illinois College. With typical modesty, Jay deflected 
accolades over this milestone, preferring instead to discuss the good 
performance of his players.
  Jay Harrington is enshrined in both the Illinois Coaches Hall of Fame 
and the National Junior College Athletic Association, NJCAA, Basketball 
Coach's Hall of Fame. He has been named the Junior College Athletic 
Director of the Year by the National Association of Collegiate 
Directors of Athletics and Co-Coach of the Year for Junior Colleges by 
the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Jay 
Harrington on his milestone 700th victory as a men's college basketball 
coach.

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