NEWS & EVENTS: SIA IN THE NEWS STORY DETAILS

New Basketball Coaching Lineup

November 17, 2003-Staten Island Academy is pleased to announce the school’s 2003-2004 basketball coaching staff.

According to Athletics Director Darlene Crowe, “We are very excited about the powerhouse coaching staff we’ve assembled for this year’s basketball season.”

The coaching staff includes:
Mike Mazella, Boys Varsity Basketball Head Coach
Kristine Potter, Girls Varsity Basketball Head Coach
Jason Allen, Head Coach for Boys JV & Boys Varsity Assistant Coach
Marcus B. Jacobs, Head Coach for Girls JV & Girls Varsity Assistant Coach

Mike Mazella, Boys Varsity Basketball Head Coach
No stranger to SIA basketball, Mike Mazella, takes on the Varsity head coach position after eight seasons as assistant coach under then head coach John Young who retired after last season.

As head coach for Boys JV basketball (1995-2003), Mazella led the JV team to a PSAA Western Divsions Title in 1995-96, and the Grade 7 and 8 Boys Varsity team to a SIESBL Championship.

A graduate of SIA, Mazella was starting point guard of the Tiger’s Varsity team during the 1988-89 and 1989-90 seasons. During his senior year, he led the team to a school record for number of wins in a season, and he was captain of the Varsity baseball and soccer teams. He was a three-sport athlete in high school. After graduation from SIA, Mazella went on to earn a BA from Boston College and a Master’s degree from Seton Hall University. He is presently Upper School Dean of Students and an English teacher at SIA.

Kristine Potter, Girls Varsity Basketball Head Coach
Kristine comes from a “basketball” family. Her father, Rich Potter, coached at Curtis High School for many years.

During summer breaks from Marist College, Potter worked in SIA’s popular day camp where she organized athletics activities with children. Last spring, she graduated from Marist with a BA.

“Kristine brings a wealth of knowledge and a enthusiasm to our girls Varsity team,” said Crowe, “You can count on exciting things happening this season!”

Jason Allen, Boys JV Head Coach & Boys Varsity Assistant Coach
Many might recognize Jason Allen’s name from his college basketball career as a member of Wagner College’s Varsity team (1999-2002). Allen’s credentials include coaching at the Dereck Whittenburg Basketball School, John Calapari Basketball School and basketball camps at Seton Hall, Army, Maryland and Eastern Invitational.

While at Wagner, Allen was named MEC Athletic Honor Role Member (2001, 2002, 2003) and he played on the Varsity Men’s Lacrosse Team.

Marcus B. Jacobs, Girls JV Head Coach & Girls Varsity Assistant Coach
Marcus Jacobs played basketball at Fairleigh Dickinson University where he received a BS in 1996. In addition to coaching, Jacobs is involved in competitive basketball and he is active in the Minority Athletes Networking.

“Marcus is an experienced basketball player. We’re very happy he’s joining SIA’s coaching staff,” said Crowe.