WHEELING — Jim Regan has netted an elite hat trick.

The successful Wheeling Jesuit men’s soccer coach has been selected for induction into the West Virginia Soccer Association Hall of Fame – Class of 2018.

The latest honor marks the third hall of fame Regan will have on his impressive resume.

The Northern Ireland native is in the Bethany College Hall of Fame, earning induction after scripting a Bison booter career second to none. He later was enshrined in the Wheeling Jesuit shrine for his masterful work as the Cardinals’ head coach.

“It is very humbling to be selected for this Hall of Fame. Soccer is my passion and has been a big part of my life,” Regan said. “It is nice to be recognized for what you do and for the sport you love.

“I believe part of this award incorporates the work we put in with state soccer as well as with the collegiate level. I am very proud of how things have evolved with state soccer in West Virginia. It was just a developing sport in 1980s,” he added. “We were fortunate that we had a lot of youths who wanted to play. Jay Adams and others decided to get youth programs in better shape. We had group of young kids dedicated to Wheeling soccer.”

Regan served as director of coaching for the Wheeling Soccer Club for more than 20 years, leading the contingent to numerous WVSA State Cup championships. He also served many years in West Virginia’s Olympic Development Program. Regan cut his coaching teeth as an assistant coach at Bethany College in 1981. The following season, he helped guide the Bison to the NCAA Division III national championship game.

His success at his alma mater didn’t go unnoticed. Wheeling Jesuit hired Regan as its men’s coach in 1983. It was the beginning of a blissful 35-year marriage.

During that time, Regan’s teams have pocketed nearly 400 victories, winning at a .600 clip. He has taken his teams to the NAIA National Tournament and the NCAA National Tournament Elite Eight.

If building a men’s program wasn’t enough, the affable mentor also found time to establish a women’s soccer team at Jesuit. He started it in 1988 and coached both WJU teams through the 2001 season. Regan directed the Lady Cards to three NAIA National Tournaments and a 185-92-7 mark (.664).

“When I first took the Wheeling Jesuit job I was only going to be part-time as I was teaching at Wheeling Country Day. I was expecting to be an assistant coach,” Regan noted. “However, the head coach suddenly left and they offered me the fulltime position.

“Fortunately, I came from a successful program. It was a great learning experience at Bethany with Coach (John) Cunningham,” he added. “At Wheeling Jesuit, I was happy to be in such a quality soccer conference, a conference which produces national champions. It took a few years to get this program where I wanted it to be. I had great support from everyone at Wheeling Jesuit.”

With much success over such an extended time frame, highlights are a plenty for the 60-year-old.

“First is getting the sport (soccer) developed in this area. It is great youth support and we had a group of eager and athletic kids which led us to getting involved with the state,” Regan said. “West Virginia was really lagging compared to soccer across the country. We were able to establish a regional tournament, encompassing much of the Eastern part of the country. Then eventually winning the regional still sticks out in my mind.

“I also relish my time at Bethany, both as a player and as assistant coach. Leading Jesuit to the national quarterfinals is also a definite highlight,” he continued. “What also stands out for me is many of my former players are still involved in the game. Some are coaching here in the Ohio Valley while others are on the national level. I am proud of that.”

Regan traveled countless and adventuresome miles before putting down roots in the Ohio Valley.

“I grew up in Northern Ireland. But the troubles (religious strife) got really bad and my parents wanted out of that environment. We emigrated to Canada where I went to high school,” Regan said. “I wanted to play college soccer so I contacted some schools in the U.S. during spring break of my senior year, I took a visit to Davis & Elkins, a national power back then.

“We detoured through Bethany. We stayed the night,” he said. “I basically never left.”

What does the future hold for Regan?

“I still love coaching soccer and still very passionate about the sport,” Regan offered. “I plan on being at Jesuit if they still want me.”

Regan’s love and passion for the game is being carried on by his two sons. Sean is the head coach of the Bethany College men’s team while Brandon is an assistant with the Robert Morris University men’s squad.

The HOF induction ceremony is set for Saturday, March 3, 2018 at the Morgantown Marriott at Waterfront Place.

BUBBA’S BITS

KRISTIN LEWICKI is enjoying a solid start in the National Women’s Hockey League. The Buffalo Beauts’ rookie has tallied two goals and dished out two assists in six games. The former Adrian College All-American will be bringing her immense ice skills close to home when the Beauts play the Connecticut Whale Jan. 14 at the Cranberry, Pa. Lemieux Ice Complex. The puck drops at 2 p.m. Lewicki was the D-III Player of-the-Year a season ago.

IOWA STATE defeated Memphis, 21-20, in the Liberty Bowl. The Cyclones’ defensive coordinator is Jon Heacock. He is a Muskingum University graduate. He was an assistant on the 1984 Steubenville High Division II state championship team. From 1985-87 he was defensive coordinator at West Liberty before embarking on a 30-year coaching odyssey which included a stint as Youngstown State’s head coach, replacing Jim Tressel. Heacock guided the Penguins from 2001-09, compiling a record of 60?44.

THE CLEVELAND Browns need a coaching change. How can you rehire a guy who is 1-31? Hue Jackson is supposed to be a quarterback whisperer. But the Brownies are still in need of a big-time QB after two years of Jackson’s tutelage. The team has another great chance to find a franchise QB in this year’s draft, owning the No. 1 and No. 4 overall picks. But if recent history is any indicator, the Browns will fumble again.

I HAVE championed the cause for an eight-team college football playoff for a good while. The need for playoff expansion is never more evident as Ohio State, Penn State, Central Florida and Wisconsin all had legitimate claims to be included in the chase for a national championship this season.

MY PREDICTION for Monday’s college title game: Alabama 24, Georgia 13. Crimson Tide’s Nick Saban cements himself as greatest college football coach in history. Move over Bear Bryant.

JIM CRUTCHFIELD keeps his rebuilding process at Nova Southeastern moving at an amazing pace. The Sharks improved to 10-2 Wednesday by knocking off nationally-ranked Eckerd, 86-82. The former West Liberty coaching icon inherited a 6-20 squad this season.

THE ANNUAL Ohio Valley Football Coaches Association banquet is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 21 at Steubenville High School beginning at noon. All players receiving first-team all-OVAC honors this fall will be presented a plaque while coaches of OVAC championship teams will also be honored. The association will also induct a new member into its hall of fame.

CONGRATULATIONS GO out to Wheeling Jesuit University head hoop coach Danny Sancomb as he pocketed his 200th win as the Cardinals’ boss Thursday night at Charleston. He joins Jay DeFruscio as the only WJU hoop coach to achieve that milestone.