Kat Tarr’s passion for soccer is as strong as ever.
Her first season with the Portland Thorns was cut short by a knee injury, but the 2005 graduate of Columbia River High School remains under contract with Portland’s National Women’s Soccer League team and said she still wants to play.
And yet, she is very much focused on her next career. As the associate coach for the Clark College women’s soccer team, Tarr helped the Penguins to third place in their division and a spot in the Northwest Athletic Conference playoffs.
“I want to continue to play. I’m loving coaching, though,” Tarr said. “Any future in soccer will be a good future for me. I love the game. I love giving back to my community. Playing and coaching — I have the same (passion) for both.”
Tarr said that her surgically repaired left knee feels good. She is running daily, but has not yet started training with a soccer ball.
“I’ve got a lot of time still, so I’m taking it easy,” she said.
Still, she is plenty busy. Tarr said coaching at Clark reminds her of playing college soccer in the Big 12.
“I feel like I’ve played a college season,” she said.
Sean Janson, the first-year head coach for the Clark women, said Tarr is a significant reason why the Penguins have improved enough to become a playoff team in a transition year for the coaching staff.
Tarr’s focus is technical skill development, while Janson takes the lead on tactics.
“Kat and Sean’s investment in this team really shows,” defender Krista Campbell said.
Tarr’s presence is a boost in several ways, Campbell said. In addition to her knowledge, Tarr has connections to higher-level coaches that can help Clark players move to four-year college soccer programs.
“She’s super knowledgeable about the game,” Campbell said. “She’s extremely level-headed and gives good, calm instruction.”
Janson and Tarr did not know each other before Tarr took the job, but it did not take the two Clark County natives long to develop a shared vision for the Clark women’s soccer program. That vision is of a program that — like the Clark men’s program — is a consistent championship contender.
Tarr played at Missouri in college and professionally in Germany. She returned to Vancouver a year ago and made the Thorns roster through a tryout. Now she has a contract for the 2015 NWSL season.
Janson said Tarr’s experience as a major college and professional play are significant for the Clark program. That her name is well known in local soccer circles can also help recruit future Penguins, Janson said.
“She is somebody who has made it to the highest level of her profession as a player,” Janson said.
Tarr said she often talks with young players about the need to have a plan beyond soccer.
Most women who play professional soccer need other jobs to support themselves, and need to plan for careers beyond the playing field.
Tarr has found hers as a coach, which she first did for a boys under-10 club in Germany. She said she is committed to helping Janson build a special program at Clark College.
“To have someone so passionate about women’s soccer is exciting,” Tarr said, noting that Janson’s enthusiasm is why she sees a bright future. “That’s why I truly believe we are going to do great things with this program, because (Janson) is so invested in it.”
