Motivation Monday - Head Men's Soccer Coach Tom Rafferty

Lincroft, NJ - Head men's soccer coach, Tom Rafferty, released a quote for the Jersey Blues Motivation Monday series. "Walk into each day with pride and honor, then carry yourself in a way which demands the respect that connects that triangle."

Coach Tom Rafferty was hired as head coach of the men's soccer team in June 2019. Rafferty served as an assistant for three years (2016, 2017, 2018) before taking over the program. 

For the past three years, Tom has helped the team to an overall 33-16-4 record, eight NJCAA top 10 rankings while mentoring 14 All-Region student-athletes, one NJCAA All-American and three NJCAA goalkeeper of the week honorees. During post season play, the Jersey Blues reached two Region XIX semi-finals, one Region XIX final and notched a GSAC title in 2018.

Prior to Brookdale, Rafferty served as the boys' varsity coach at St. Rose from 1993-1996. He mentored several All-County, All-Shore and All-State student-athletes. He then spent three seasons as the head coach of the men's soccer program at Bloomfield College from 1996-1999. The Deacons posted an overall record of 36-17-7, reaching two CACC finals. Under Rafferty's tutelage, three student-athletes garnered NSCAA Regional Academic All-American distinctions.

Rafferty has spent decades coaching at the local youth level including clubs at Middletown, Toms River and Brick-Twin County. He notched appearances at two NJYSA State Cup Finals, one US Club Soccer State Cup Finals in 2008 before clinching one NJYSA State Championship.

Tom holds a USSF National D License, United Soccer Coaches (NSCAA) Premier Diploma and National Goalkeeper Certificate.

As a student-athlete, Tom attended Loyola College where he was a four-year starter. He supported the team to an overall record of 48-21-7 and graduated with a total of 47 goals and 17 assists. Rafferty holds the number one spot for goals scored in the programs NJCAA DI history. In 1985, he played in the Adidas Senior Bowl All-Star game and is a hall of fame inductee.

Tom is married to his beautiful wife Lorraine and they have three children - Patrick, Mikayla and Kaitlyn.