Sports
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Queens College coach is living the dream
Jason Posser brings respect, passion and drive to Knights’ men’s basketball program
BY PETER KROPF
“An education of the game
of basketball on the court
and of the game of life off the
court.”
That is what Jason Posser
hopes to provide every studentathlete
who crosses his path.
After nearly three
seasons as assistant coach
of the Queens College men’s
basketball team, Posser has
already made quite an impact.
His positive, yet aggressive
coaching style helped the 2016-
17 Knights end a five-year
East Coast Conference (ECC)
playoff drought. The coach
also assisted in the growth of
former QC stars Tyrone Hall,
Diego Maldonado, and Tyree
White, all of whom received
conference honors under his
tutelage.
In fact, Posser’s motivation
and ability to develop athletes
stem from the oft-quoted
aphorism he lives by: “The
saddest thing in life is wasted
talent.” The saying, famously
uttered in the film “A Bronx
Tale,” reminds Posser to make
sure his players perform at
their highest potential.
Ever since his first game
— his favorite to date — when
Queens pulled out an overtime
win against Assumption
College with only seven active
players, Posser has tried to get
the most out of his men. The
coach’s incredible work ethic,
intensity, and knowledge are
the result of the remarkable
paths he has taken in his
hardwood-centric life.
Posser, who currently
resides in Long Beach,
N.Y., was born and raised
in the Yorkville section of
Manhattan. His general
interest in sports was sparked
by after-school programs he
participated in as a youngster.
By the time he enrolled
at Fordham Prep, he had
narrowed his focus to hockey
and basketball. At one point
during his high school career,
he was playing both sports for
the Rams at the same time.
This was not plausible for the
long term, so he decided to keep
playing hockey for the school
and play Amateur Athletic
Union (AAU) basketball later
in the year to avoid scheduling
conflicts.
However, Posser knew that
basketball was his true love. He
left New York for Rhode Island
to attend Providence College,
where he majored in business
management. He tried out for
the men’s basketball team,
but ultimately did not make
the roster. Posser then set his
sights on coaching, with the
dream of one day becoming a
head coach.
Without too many
connections or a recognizable
last name, he explored and
grabbed every available
opportunity. During summers
he worked as a basketball
counselor at Camp Winadu
in Pittsfield, Mass, where
Posser learned the ropes of
Jason Posser has made quite an impact in his first three seasons as an assistant coach at Queens
College. Photo by Bendan Ormsby
coaching, soaking up advice
and instruction from gurus/
mentors Mike Murphy and
Bob Walsh.
In 2004 he took his first
major step toward a coaching
career by becoming a student
manager for the Providence
men’s basketball squad. His
responsibilities included
collaborating with staff
regarding player development
and individual workouts as
well as assisting in practices
and daily operations.
His hard work resulted in
his promotion to head manager
in 2008, and he would stay with
the team until 2009. “It was a
privilege and a phenomenal
experience,” Posser said of
his five-year stretch with the
Friars.
Under head coaches Tim
Welsh and Keno Davis, he
learned the value of “paying
attention to the smallest of
Continued on Page 40
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