The last few days have been a whirlwind for Tim Schurr.
Schurr, one of the most well-known figures in Section 1 lacrosse history, just returned from Florida where he helped a team that featured mainly alumni from Hobart College finish with a 3-1 record at a Masters lacrosse tournament.
Late Thursday night, of course, he was officially appointed as the third head varsity coach in the 31-year history of John Jay’s varsity program.
Tonight, he will meet John Jay players for the first time as head coach.
John Jay’s previous two coaches were program founder Bob Kear (1979-99) and Nick Savastano (2000-09). Savastano, his brother, assistant coach Vinny, and John Jay junior varsity coach Erik Hoaglund were all relieved of their coaching duties on Dec. 15. The three have taken over as coaches of the varsity program at John F. Kennedy Catholic.
A 1980 Yorktown graduate, Schurr’s success as a player continued long after he enjoyed a standout collegiate career as a defenseman at Washington & Lee. In 2002, he was a member of the U.S. national team that won the International Lacrosse Federation championship at the World Games. Schurr was inducted into the Hudson Valley Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1996.
I had a wide-ranging discussion with Schurr this morning. During that time, we touched on a variety of topics. Here are some of his thoughts:
On meeting with the team tonight:
“I’m going there tonight where they play box (lacrosse). (John Jay assistant) Geoff Nolan runs it and he and I will be there. It’s not a league. They just have a good time and work on their skills. I’m looking forward to it. I observed a practice there last Tuesday night.”
On now coaching John Jay, one of the biggest rivals of Somers, the other varsity team he has served as a head coach:
“It (John Jay-Somers) is kind of like Somers-Yorktown in how it has developed into a rivalry. When I started at Somers, Somers was not a rival of Yorktown. When I got to Somers, they were 7-12 and lost to Yorktown 22-1. That didn’t happen overnight. It’s a rivalry now though.”
On playing his alma mater, Yorktown, so early in the season on April 3:
“It’s early in the year, but it’s early for them as well. I’m hoping at the end of the year we’re better than we are at the beginning. I’m sure (Yorktown coaches) Dave (Marr), Sean (Carney) and Adam (Lodewick) think that way too. It is what it is. But I have no problem with it.”
On whether he plans on maintaining John Jay’s traditional non-section rivalry games:
“Oh my gosh, yeah. It’s very difficult to establish the relationships Nick (Savastano) and Vinny (Savastano) have with these programs. It’s real tough and they’ve done a fantastic job. It truly is a credit to them that John Jay has been able to maintain the schedule it has. (John Jay athletic director) Chris McCarthy did a great job confirming all those games that Nick and Vinny set up for this year. I hope to maintain those relationships and play those teams down the road. ”
On whether he plans on being at John Jay long term:
“I hope so. You know what I want to do? I hope to do a good job for the kids at John Jay. No one has a crystal ball. I plan on working hard and doing a good job for the kids at John Jay. I’m grateful for the opportunity.”
On his coaching style:
“I just want to work hard. I hope I can instill in the kids a desire to learn the game. I want the game to be played from the neck up. I want them to play hard and be technically sound, understanding that there are ways for things to be done technique-wise.
“I want them to play the game well and play it properly. When the game is played well, I think you’d agree, it’s a pretty nice thing to watch.
“I’m pretty intense. I’m not a yeller or screamer. I’ll praise you when you’re doing well. On the other hand, I’ll correct you when I think that’s called for.”
On coaching against his sons, Eddie and Kevin, who play for Somers:
“I coached for 10 years with Jim Turnbull (at Yorktown) when we played against (son) Merrill (Turnbull) at Mahopac.
“We’ll play against each other. My boys will play hard. They’ll do the best they can to help their team win. At the end of the day, win, lose or draw, the only issue I’ll have is if they don’t give me a hug before they go to bed that night.”
On his philosophy of his involvement in his sons’ lacrosse careers:
“I tell them, ‘Look, I don’t want to be at all your games.’ I want there to be a dialogue of what went on at the game that night. It’s not always a lengthy conversation. It doesn’t have to be play by play. But sometimes, it’s better that you’re not always there.”
On his thoughts on former John Jay coach Nick Savastano:
“I’ve spoken briefly with Nick and I will call him. I respect him and I respect Vinny (Savastano) a great deal. I’ve known them a long time. I don’t know them well. But they’re passionate about what they do. I think they’re good guys. I think they’re excellent coaches. They achieved great things at John Jay. They really did.
“It’s no mystery how they were so successful for so long. You get there through hard work. They helped build on what Bob Kear did.”
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January 26th, 2010 at 12:03 pm
Excellent comments. He said all the rights things and you can tell he really means them. Very classy comments about the Savs as well. I now have no doubt John Jay made the perfect choice.
January 26th, 2010 at 2:13 pm
Oh this is going to be scary. This may be a grand slam in the bottom of the ninth down three by the new John Jay AD.
January 26th, 2010 at 8:22 pm
Tim really went out of his way to complement Nick Sav. Not many coaches in his situation would bother to do that or have the class/maturity/respectfulness to do it. This really shows why he’s a perfect fit for John Jay. He gets it. His comments about hugging his sons after JJ plays Somers gave me goose bumps.
John Jay has their best coach in school history – even though he hasn’t even won a game yet.
January 27th, 2010 at 8:15 am
Great story. Good luck Timmy.
I’m hearing Nick Hautau is the JV coach for JJ.
January 27th, 2010 at 10:02 am
I can’t understand how Tim was even available. What better place for a young defender to play? Its time to start looking for housing.
I just hope for Tim’s sake that he hasn’t gone from the “parental overview” frying pan into the “extreme parental overview” fire.
January 27th, 2010 at 12:26 pm
T.B. Toad
I would think not – at least so long as the new AD stays on board. I certainly hope not.
McCarthy has had to stand on the sidelines and watch the lax saga unfold since being hired. This is his response. This is his hire… and he made it with his eyes wide open. I agree with ‘Cuse that he may have hit it out of the park.
It sure seems like he made a statement to the community and sent a message to any “over-involved” parents that might be out there hoping a new precedent was now set re: the exercise of “extreme parental overview”. … And I’ve gotta think he’s got Tim’s back (and the support of the majority of parents) in that regard.
January 27th, 2010 at 12:48 pm
We first wanted to wish the players at John Jay good luck this season and in the future and wanted to thank all the people on the blog and in the community for the nice comments you have given to us. We also wanted to congratulate Coach Schurr and wish him well with his new position.
As many of you already know, we will be co-head coaches at Kennedy Catholic. We are very excited for this new opportunity and feel that it is a ‘Hidden Gem’. We feel this is the start of something special and look forward to the new challenge ahead of us.
We wanted to reach out to all of you that we got to know and have supported us over the past 20 years. As most of you know, we were fired as coaches after building the John Jay program and having a lot of success. We always tried to do the right thing by kids and felt we were wrongfully let go, but with that being said – we wanted to ask for your help.
The kids at Kennedy Catholic have to pay to play and have limited uniforms and funds. What we are asking of you is for any donations you might be able to afford. It could be as little as a donating a few dollars to buying anything that may help our new program succeed. If you do want to donate – please email us for details. Again, thank you so much for your nice comments and we wish all of you well.
Thank you,
The Savastano’s
Vinny Savastano – vsavastano@brewsterschools.org
or
Nick Savastano – nicksav31@aol.com
January 27th, 2010 at 9:42 pm
Love the fact JJ-Somers could play 3 times this year! Should be some heated battles!!!
January 28th, 2010 at 7:01 am
Something to consider when people chime in on how coaches do, and dont do . There is a BIG difference from being a Head coach and an assistant. IE: Time, and responsibilities, Paperwork, Dealing with administrations and parents, scheduling, and Recruiting!! I think this is why there is such a difference in opinions from people who have been exposed these coaches in all capacities. Give it some thought, like to hear from the regulars??
January 28th, 2010 at 11:18 am
Good comments by Tim, well done. I’ve regained my optimism on the upcoming season. Also, kudos to McCarthy for how he’s handled all of this.
Just Sayin: “JJ has their best coach in school history”? Umm, not so fast. I hope your right, but although a small list, it’s a damn good one.
January 28th, 2010 at 4:10 pm
As I said in my post when this news first broke…a door closed and a HUGE window opened! All the best to JJ and Coach Schurr. Not sure when this blog became a fund raiser for Kennedy Catholic??? Perhaps we should be donating to the people in Haiti who really are need especially since some one so close to Kennedy is still amoung the missing.
January 28th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
Lets not say Tim Schurr is the best coach in JJ history just yet, he has not won a game yet. Lets see if he can beat the elite like. Also lets see if jj ever gets past a long island team in the state semi ever again.
ST A
Manhasset
Ytown
Rigefield
RYE
January 28th, 2010 at 5:11 pm
Coach Sav and Coach Vin I want to thank you for coaching me a few years back at jj and I am going to donate to you to help the Kennedy kids improve the program. For the amount of scholarships that you gave us it is time to give back. I will send you guys an email tonight.
January 28th, 2010 at 8:01 pm
Does anyone know how Mahopac and L/P are this year… Will they be able to be Yorktown foe a section championship?
January 28th, 2010 at 9:27 pm
finally,
Seems like they dont get the press but I’d put LP in the same top sphere as Somers, Jay. and Town (all close). Hear they have alot of returnees from a strong team that beat Jay and almost Town in OT. One I know of is Fazio at long pole. Although he is small, pound for pound IMO he’s the best long pole in Section 1
Believe there are more details of some of their returning kids in some blogs in the ‘regions top teams” thread
January 29th, 2010 at 7:06 am
S- Good Point.
I would have to do my pre-season rankings as follows. Based on returnees, etc.
1-L/P
2-Yorktown
3-JJ
4-Mahopac
5-Somers
6-Put Valley
7-Greeley
8-Rye
9-Brewster
10-Hen Hud
January 29th, 2010 at 9:40 am
My 10 are:
1-L/P
2-JJ
3-Pac
4-Town
5-Somers
6-Rye
7-PV
8-Brewster
9-Hen Hud
10-Greeley
January 29th, 2010 at 10:05 am
Yes I heard L/P is returning lots of players. I also heard Pac is as well, I know Thompson, Bernabo, and Brandofino are back but does anyone know who else.
And All I really Know from L/P is Honovich, Prunty, and Fazio.
Any others from those teams?
January 29th, 2010 at 2:03 pm
Pre-Scrimmage Rankings
Somers
Jay
LP
Town
Rye
Pac
PV
Greeley
WP
Bxville,
Brewster
Suffern
HH
Bcliff
January 29th, 2010 at 2:35 pm
Pac is returning all section goalie to go with starting middie line and AA candidate Brando on attack
January 29th, 2010 at 7:08 pm
Ytown has to be #1 AGAIN
They havent lost a section 1 game in quite some time, have one of the best players in the country running one of the best offenses in the section (5 returning starters), a great goalie in Koelsh and a young defense waiting to get their name in the paper….Not to mention one of the best coaching staffs in the country…
1)Ytown
2)JJ (bc Tim Schurr is now coach, great great great pick up)
3)Somers
January 29th, 2010 at 7:53 pm
Pac will be a good team this year. Returning the whole O while only losing Perrelle. All of those young Mids will be a year older not to mention all of them return. This was there biggest weakness last year. All section Face off man Chase Thompson will be one of the best in our section. Three year starting all section goalie McGuigan to anchor a young athletic D led by Corace. Brandofino a year older on Attack and Bernabo, Thompson, Foley, and Berardis to lead the mids. I would Def watch out for the Pac this year. By the way their JV was 12 and 3 last year.
January 29th, 2010 at 8:19 pm
Who will Win the Class A Section 1 Title ????
1). LLP Has a fast midfield with Honovich and Prunty. A decent D led by Fazio and senior goalie. And a Good attack led by Fallo. Weakness will be at the Face off x losing Hitmann. Also Midfield depth (only two proven mids mentioned above).
2). PAC Has the talent to win the section. Great Goalie (McGuigan 3yr starter) and Strong Mids led by Bernabo, Thompson, and Foley. An AA candidate in Brandofino and two kids that split time last yr at the 3rd spot. Thompson is one of the best Face off men around. Weakness a young D but Corace can whip them into shape.
3). YTOWN Always has the Talent to win the section. Strengths you have to start with KI. The kid can shoot but the question is who will create for this great finisher. Midfield with Schultz and Mabis should be OK but not deep. Weaknesses the whole starting D including the goalie are unproven. Also at the Face off X with the loss of the Human Clear, Ranagan.
Overall this should be an interesting season. This race will be closer than everyone thinks. Thoughts????
January 29th, 2010 at 10:15 pm
Pac Alum/Pac Fan
Good comments. Wow, Pac could end up at the top of A. Dont forget that Town also has Lieberman and Porcelli on O! Agree that maybe biggest challenge for Town will be on D as well as a lot less possession coming from face off. This will be a good test for Towns great coaches to “coach” thru these issues.
Gotta believe that objective fans will agree that at this point this all Classes are real close this yr.
January 30th, 2010 at 10:13 am
Couple of items to chew on.
First , looks like a VERY RELIABLE source has Greg Downing from Fairfield U, and the Boston Cannons as the John Jay Volunteer assistant for the offense. Then for those that keep speculating Deiana, and Tullgren are definitely playing at Somers this spring. Now my Pre-season top 10:
1-John Jay
2-Yorktown
3-L/P
4-Mahopac
5-Somers
6-Put Valley
7-Greeley
8-Brewster
9-Bronxville
10-Hen Hud
January 30th, 2010 at 11:12 am
Heard that Greg Downing from Fairfield will be John Jay’s volunteer Assistant. Anyone confirm??
Pre-Season
1-John Jay
2-Lake/Pan
3-Yorktown
4-Mahopac
5-Somers
6-Put Valley
7-Bronxville
8-Brewster
9-Greeley
10-Rye
January 30th, 2010 at 11:19 am
yehhh deiana’s playin ….
January 30th, 2010 at 11:20 am
JJ coaching staff should look like this …
Varsity – Tim Schurr (head coach), Geoff Nolan, Greg Downing (assistants)
JV – Nicky Hautau (head coach)
Frosh – Wally Mayer (head coach)
There you have it, folks. I would say this is an awesome staff from top to bottom. Well done Chris McCarthy in such a short time frame!
January 30th, 2010 at 12:15 pm
Somers coach Lew Janavey has finalized the teams that will be playing in the second annual Red-Gray Preseason Tournament at Somers. We told you all but one of the eight teams a few weeks back. Here is the complete list, in addition to Somers: St. Anthony’s, Brunswick, Brewster, Don Bosco Prep, Guilderland, Auburn and Fox Lane.
The date is Saturday, March 20.
January 30th, 2010 at 1:05 pm
BB,Bocko
Wow. Boy you guys are tough! Rye not even in the top 10 in one ranking and luckily squeezed into #10 in the other (thx Bocko!)
Hey, we’ll see.
Good luck to your teams.
January 30th, 2010 at 1:09 pm
Big Elephant/BB
Great that Deiana is playing (Tullgren as well I assume). We all want each team’s best players on the field!!
January 30th, 2010 at 1:47 pm
Looks like a real nice pre-season Jamboree at Somers on 3/20. Shaping into the best pre event in the area. Not unlike Daniel Hand. Kudos to Coach Lew for using his many Lax connections to put this together. AND I think he hugs his kids at night before they hit the pillow. ( Little dad-lax humor ).
January 31st, 2010 at 3:14 pm
Coach Lew is a GURU! L/Pdefense. Helped take Edgemont into the sectionals, from a nothing program. Somers-Section Champs. Westrock is the Bomb! Recruiting help, like Non-Other!! One guy who is truly about “THE KIDS”!
February 2nd, 2010 at 6:32 pm
Tim Schurr is a class act. Very hard worker. Yorktown will be right there. Also Rye should be higher than 10.
March 15th, 2010 at 12:35 am
V roster on Jay site now has 18 fewer names. Gone are 2 returning seniors and 16 juniors. All in all it appears there will only be 4 new players added to the Varsity this year. the balance of last year’s JV squad (whose only lose to Section One competition was by one goal to Somers) is apparently done.
I’m sure those juniors’ parents are pleased as punch with the parents of last year’s seniors who caused all this. The irony of course is that had the result of their bitching been in place for their kids, their kids never would have been on the team.
March 15th, 2010 at 3:35 pm
Yes apparently JJ is having cuts for jrs and seniors for the first time. But you have to admit if they didn’t cut kids the roster would have been gigantic. I’m sure they will add a few sophomores onto the varsity roster too.
March 15th, 2010 at 8:34 pm
THey didn’t cut any seniors, they are letting all the seniors that tried out play, the two that aren’t on the team decided not to play this year.
March 15th, 2010 at 8:47 pm
Its all good if they start out 3-0 and beat yorktown. but if they lose to town and manhasset then the parents will complain. first game vs brewster should be an easy run.
March 15th, 2010 at 11:08 pm
the first game is never easy. you’re still working out all of the kinks and it’s the first game action for a team that’s putting in a new offense. I still think JJ wins but closer then you think
March 26th, 2010 at 6:14 pm
Couple of big Saturdays for Timmy. Tomorrow at home vs. Delbarton (scrimmage) then next Saturday at Ytown!
March 26th, 2010 at 7:15 pm
We’re all looking forward to making the trip to the scrimmage at John Jay tomorrow. Good luck Delby!!!
April 1st, 2010 at 6:36 pm
Our heartfelt congratulations on Win #1 as John Jay coach Tim. You have been a breath of fresh air for the program. Continued success as you mold boys to men and build a winning program on and off the field!