The last time Harvard and Duke met on the soccer field, he scored the goal that sent the Crimson home in the semifinals of the NCAA tournament. Seventeen years later, John Kerr, Duke '87, is coming back to familiar settings, but this time as a coach of the opponent.
The Hermann Trophy winner in 1986, Kerr led the Blue Devils to its first-ever national championship in any sport. With 15 goals and 14 assists that year, he graduated as Duke's second leading all-time scorer.
"John Kerr is an excellent player," said then-Harvard coach Jape Schattuck after Kerr's two goal, one assist performance in Duke's 3-1 win over the Crimson in 1986. "Everything I've head about him is true. He is effective because of his quick thinking, not because of one outstanding quality...He has a good range of ability."
A two-time first-team All-American and the first winner of the Missouri Athletic Club Collegiate Player of the Year, Kerr was widely known as the best men's collegiate player in the nation.
"He might be the smartest player out there on the field," said Duke's men's soccer coach John Rennie, who coached Kerr in the 80's<. <
"He just had a brilliant mind for the game as well as incredible skill."
Still friends, Rennie and Kerr keep in touch and see each other on the recruiting circuit.
"We have been good friends since he's been here," Rennie said. "I've followed his career as a player and coach. I enjoy [having former players return] very much. It's another opportunity to spend some time with one of your players."
Kerr played professionally in Europe for several years before returning to the States. As a member of the San Diego Sockers in 1991-1992, he won a Major Soccer League title.
He then played for three years for the Millwall Football Club in England. In 1996, he joined the MLS and played for the Dallas Burn and New England Revolution.
Kerr's coaching career is just as impressive, serving all levels from youth to professional teams. In his first years after graduating, he coached youth in London's Football Association, then returned to Duke soon thereafter to serve as top assistant coach for a season in 1992.
In 1998, Kerr was a player/coach for the Boston Bulldogs, a professional A-League team, for two years before going to Harvard.
"He's a terrific young coach," Rennie said. "Probably one of the best out there. He's still young and fit enough to play on the field and he's tremendous with kids. I think he has the potential to be a truly outstanding coach."
In his five seasons with the Crimson, Kerr has improved his teams every season. In 2001, he coached his team to the NCAA tournament. In 2003, Harvard thus far has a 2-1-2 record. Hoping for some exposure in the ACC, Kerr and the Harvard Crimson will come to the south to take on the Blue Devils and UNC this weekend, perhaps for nostalgia's sake.
"[Kerr and other former Duke players] like bringing their schools in to play a school with the tradition that Duke has," Rennie said.
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