Jaro Zawislan

Jaro Zawislan
Personal information
Full name Jarosław J. Zawiślan
Date of birth 1971 (1971)
Place of birth Poland
Date of death (aged 55)
Position Goalkeeper
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1990–1993 Clemson Tigers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1994 Columbia Heat
1995 Arka Gdynia
1996 Detroit Neon (indoor) 18 (0)
1996–1997 Toronto Shooting Stars (indoor) 1 (0)
2000 Atlanta Silverbacks 1 (0)
Managerial career
1999–2000 Creighton Bluejays (assistant)
2001–2002 Stanford Cardinal (assistant)
2002–2009 Syracuse Orange (assistant)
2009–2015 Cornell Big Red
2022–2025 Le Moyne Dolphins (women)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Jarosław J. Zawiślan (1971[1] – January 9, 2026) was a Polish college soccer coach. He played professionally as a goalkeeper in the USISL, Continental Indoor Soccer League and Polish Second Division.

Playing career

Zawislan attended Clemson University, where he played on the men's soccer team from 1990 to 1993. In his 88 games with the Tigers, he made 446 saves and was the 1993 Atlantic Coast Conference tournament MVP. He earned his bachelor's degree in computer science from Clemson in 1993 and bachelor's degree in education from the University of Toronto in 1999. In 1994, Zawislan played for the Columbia Heat in the USISL, being named an Atlantic Division All Star.[2] In January 1995, the Toronto Shooting Stars selected Zawislan in the National Professional Soccer League draft. He chose not to sign with Toronto but play in the Poland II Liga with Arka Gdynia. In 1996, he returned to the United States where he signed with the Detroit Neon of the Continental Indoor Soccer League. In the fall of 1996, he finally signed with the Toronto Shooting Stars, playing one game in November 1996 in place of injured starter Paolo Ceccarelli.[3] In 2000, Zawislan played one game for the Atlanta Silverbacks in the 2000 A-League.

Coaching career

Zawislan held numerous coaching positions. In 1999, Zawislan was hired by Creighton University as an assistant coach with the men's soccer team. When Creighton head coach, Bret Simon moved to Stanford University, Zawislan followed him in February 2001. In 2002, he moved to Syracuse University where he served as an assistant coach. In April 2009, Cornell University signed Zawislan as head coach of the men's soccer team.[4] In January 2016, Zawislan left the program at Cornell and was replaced by former Stanford assistant coach John Smith.[5]

On November 17, 2025, it was announced Zawislan would not return as Le Moyne coach.[6]

Death

Zawislan died on January 9, 2026, at the age of 55.[7]

References

  1. ^ Kennedy, Paul (January 12, 2026). "Jaro Zawislan (1971–2026)". Soccer America. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
  2. ^ "1994 USISL All Stars". www.charlestonbattery.com. Archived from the original on February 12, 2012.
  3. ^ "Drillers hit paydirt in opener". drillersarchive.com. November 2, 1996. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016.
  4. ^ "Jaro Zawislan Named New Men's Soccer Coach". Cornell University Athletics. April 13, 2009.
  5. ^ "John Smith Announced As Head Coach Of Men's Soccer". Cornell University Athletics. March 4, 2016.
  6. ^ "LE MOYNE ANNOUNCES WOMEN'S SOCCER PROGRAM LEADERSHIP CHANGE". Le Moyne College Athletics. November 17, 2025.
  7. ^ Adams, Matthew (January 16, 2026). "Former Big Red soccer coach Jaro Zawislan dies at 55". 607 News Now. Retrieved January 16, 2026.