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Thomas Gaskell
Ext. 1605
The Tabor Bluejays have officially hired Thomas Gaskell as their next Women's Soccer Head Coach.
A native of Derbyshire, England, Gaskell returns to Tabor College after playing soccer for the Bluejays from 2014 to 2017. He graduated from Tabor in May of 2017 with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management. Gaskell briefly left Tabor upon graduating, but returned in August of 2018 as a Men's and Women's Soccer Graduate Assistant, receiving his Master's Degree in Business Administration in June of 2020.
Upon hearing the news of his official return, Gaskell expressed his excitement for what lies ahead. "Just excited for a chance to come back, obviously having played there and coached there for a few years. I've spent most of my adult life in Hillsboro. It's my American home really so it's just exciting for a chance to go back there in a different role and give back to the college."
"I am thrilled that Coach Gaskell has decided to return to Tabor and lead our women's soccer program. His dedication to the sport, and more importantly leading this team spiritually, is going to be great to watch during his tenure here. It is always good when we can welcome one of our own home, especially when they have the qualities that Thomas does. I have no doubt he will continue to build this program into a contender in our conference," Tabor's Director of Athletics David Ediger said.
After completing his undergraduate degree, Gaskell served as an Men's and Women's Soccer Assistant Coach at Wichita Independent High School from August 2017 to January 2018. Starting that January, he worked as an Assistant Men's and Women's Soccer Coach and worked as a Student Life Manager at Coffeyville Community College, where he helped out until August 2018.
Following his master's graduation at Tabor, Gaskell spent a season as Head Coach for Men's and Women's Soccer and substitute teaching at Wichita South High School during the pandemic-stricken 2020-2021 season.
After the 2021 school year, Gaskell moved back to the college ranks at Hesston College, where he was named Head Men's and Women's Soccer Coach. In his two years there, Gaskell compiled a 14-16-3 record on the men's side, including an 8-7-1 record in 2022, which was their first winning season in over 30 years. On the women's side, while the record was 6-25-1, he recruited the largest roster in their program's history and maintained 3.4 team GPA.
Gaskell spent the 2023 fall season at Pratt Community College as the Head Women's Soccer Coach. In his one and only season, the team finished with a 3-9-4 record.
"The chance to go to a four-year college and have players for four years instead of two years was a big appeal," Gaskell said.
Gaskell, who's coaching duties will begin immediately, will inherit a Bluejay team that finished last season with a 9-7-3 record and a quarterfinal loss in the KCAC Tournament to close the season. Ian Thomson, who just completed his tenth season with the Bluejays, will stay at Tabor and transition into the role of Dean of Student Life.
Thomson cited the opportunity of the new role at Tabor and having more time available on weekends to be around family as the primary reasons for moving on from coaching.
"I just wasn't able to give the same amount of time to the team as I needed to while still giving the same amount of time that my family deserved," Thomson said.
Thomson said that he is excited to have Gaskell on board, adding that he wants to help out Gaskell and the program wherever he can as the transition is made.
"I couldn't be happier. Just so ecstatic for Tom. I've known him since he was 18 years old. I've watched him grow into the young man he is now and proud of him for all that he's accomplished in his career and to be able to get to this point. I am excited for the girls. God leads his heart and he's going to be able to give that to the girls as well. I'm just excited, it couldn't have been a better fit for Tabor. When I first decided to step away he was the type of coach that I wanted to take over for the program and be there to take it to wherever it's going to go next," Thomson said.
As far as what Bluejay players and fans should expect, Gaskell said that they can count on him being authentic. "Just being authentic like I am, what you see is what you get with me. Coaching wise, my players can expect someone that is authentic. I want them to be able to trust me to come to my office, to call me more than just a coach - just as a person, just as a role model - someone they can look to in their lives. On the field, I want to be attacking and win lots of games and score lots of goals."
Tabor College is a Christ-centered institution located in Hillsboro, Kansas. The Bluejays are members of the NAIA and compete in the KCAC.
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