By Joseph Staszewski
Holy Cross will be looking for its third boys’ basketball coach in the last three years after Tom Marchesini stepped down following his second season leading the team because of time constraints.
He led the Knights to a 23-27 record in his short tenure, but felt he no longer could dedicate the time and attention needed to run the program the right way.
Marchesini, who teaches physical education and health at the school, saw a large part of his time taken up by studying to get his master’s degree. He also has three children to raise and he bartends at night for extra money. It became apparent that coaching would be too much.
“If I had the time, I definitely wouldn’t give it up,” Marchesini said. “I’d still do it, but I just don’t have the time. There is a right way to run a program and a wrong way to run it.”
The school’s former freshmen team coach was promoted to the job in the fall of 2012 after longtime headman Paul Gilvary was removed for alleged improprieties, the New York Post reported. Marchesini, a Holy Cross alumnus, said he didn’t want the job at that point because he thought he would not have enough time, but the school was in a bind.
He stayed on for a second season to give it another try and keep continuity in the program.
“I just figured I’d help them out,” he said.
Marchesini said he would not completely remove himself from the program. He will stay on in a moderator’s role and handle logistics, including helping with scheduling and arranging practice time. He will not have a say in who the next coach is.
Knights Athletic Director Ron Vallar did not return phone messages requesting comment.
Despite his time limitations, Marchesini said he does not regret taking the job. Marchesini enjoyed being back around the CHSAA coaches and said there is still no better feeling than winning a big game. He did not rule out a return to the bench after he finishes his master’s, but not as a varsity coach.
“I’ll be done next May, maybe in a year or two come back and help the freshman or something,” Marchesini said. “That’s something that would interest me. Having strong coaching on the lower levels makes it easier on the upper levels.”
