Meet James Harkey - Teacher, Coach, Advisor and More...

In his first year at Gerstell Academy, Mr. James Harkey teaches World History I & II in the Upper School, is a ninth-grade advisor, and coaches Boys Varsity Lacrosse. 

 

He joined our school after practicing law in South Carolina and coaching the University of South Carolina lacrosse team for seven years. Prior to law school at USC, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history while playing lacrosse at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. While there, he played midfield for the Retrievers, contributing as a faceoff and defensive specialist from 2007-2011. Mr. Harkey (also known as Coach Harkey) was named Unsung Hero following the 2010 season and served as co-captain in 2011 with Jamie Kimbles. He received the E. Richard Watts Leadership Award along with co-captain Kimbles for that season. During his tenure at UMBC, the team won two American East league titles and played in three NCAA championships. In high school, Coach Harkey was an All-American at Loudoun Valley High School in Purcellville, Virginia.

 

The Harkey family has many UMBC lacrosse ties: Mr. Harkey’s father Jay was a freshman midfielder on the 1980 NCAA D2 National Championship men’s lacrosse team, as well sisters Jessica and Shannon, and wife Emily all played women’s lacrosse for the Retrievers. Mr. Harkey’s eldest sister, Meghan, is a Hall-of-Fame women’s lacrosse player as well. Both of his grandfathers played college football, Angus McEachen a halfback at the United States Naval Academy and Bud Harkey a defensive end at Wichita State. 

 

At South Carolina, Coach Harkey led the Gamecocks to a 75-18 overall record and a Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association (MCLA) National Championship in 2019. Coach Harkey was named Southeastern Lacrosse Conference (SELC) Coach of the Year in 2018 and Flip Naumburg MCLA Coach of the Year in 2019. He has developed 23 All-SELC Conference performers, six MCLA All-Americans, two SELC defensive Players of the Year, and one MCLA Player of the Year. Coach Harkey also spoke at the US Lacrosse national convention in January, 2020. 

 

In addition to coaching the Falcons, Coach Harkey shares his passion for the game assisting Team Eighteen, Zingos, and the Colombian national lacrosse team. Coach Harkey plans to offer a semi-annual opportunity for Gerstell students to travel to Colombia for week-long service trips in the summer. 

 

The Harkey family is thrilled to join the vibrant Gerstell community.