The Clippers team has a brand-new leader.
Xaverian alum and former junior varsity coach Tom Burns was officially named varsity boys basketball coach on July 14, taking over for long-time leader Jack Alesi.
It’s a promotion for Burns, who has been part of the Clippers community for nearly 40 years — and one that comes with plenty of expectations — and the new head coach isn’t backing away from the challenge. He knows he’s got big shoes to fill and he’s more than ready to do just that.
“I was honored to be asked to do this and really just proud, especially after graduating from Xaverian and playing ball while I was there,” Burns said. “Xaverian has been part of my blood since 1979, and I’m happy to be part of this family.”
Burns was witness to the Clippers’ success over the last 30 years — as a player and a coach — including last season’s Catholic High School Athletic Association championship run.
In fact, he was on the sidelines when Xaverian lifted the championship trophy just a few months ago, and he’s anxious to build on the program’s winning tradition.
“You want to help them compete at a high level,” Burns said. “It’s always going to be about the kids as people first and players second. I’ve taken that approach in basketball ever since I started coaching. If I can just continue that and focus on that, I think everything else will fall into place in a very positive way for them.”
Burns isn’t coming into his new role with the Clippers entirely unprepared.
He is a member of the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame and has served as guidance counselor, dean of students, and director of the Clippers’ summer basketball camp. Burns also founded the Fastbreak Basketball center on Staten Island.
He worked with Alesi for the last 21 years — coaching both the freshman and junior varsity teams and winning a city title in 1996.
Burns isn’t a new face and he’s confident that his familiarity with the Clippers will serve him well next season.
“I’ve been part of this school for close to four decades,” he said. “I’ve had so many different jobs within the school, and I’ve been part of the basketball program for a long, long time. I just take so much pride in being part of this program and this school.”
Burns is thrilled to take the team’s helm. It won’t be easy and Burns certainly isn’t expecting a city title to fall into his lap right away, but he’s more than ready for the season to get underway, anxious to be on the court with his team.
“For me personally it’ll be about the players and what I can do to help them become better competitors and better people,” Burns said. “That’s what Xaverian has done for me and my family. It’s given us an opportunity to be part of something special.”
