Troy Bowers
IRVINGTON, NJ – With the new school year, Irvington High School athletic director Dr. John Taylor announced a few changes in the athletic department.
The golf program was approved by the Board of Education in June. The program was defunct for 33 years.
Troy Bowers, who was the IHS head baseball coach for the past three years and a former standout baseball player at IHS, Class of 1987, has been named the new golf head coach. Because both sports compete in the spring, Bowers has stepped down as the baseball head coach.
“Becoming the new IHS golf coach is special to me,” Bowers wrote in a text message to the Irvington Herald. “I’ve coached a plethora of other sports. However, golf is the only sport that is relatively new to the youth of Irvington. Golf also is unique, whereas you do not have to be the biggest, strongest, most agile or athletic. Technique, repetition/practice and tempo are keys to being a successful golfer. I have played and lettered in three varsity sports in high school, two in college and participated on a professional level (baseball, kick-boxing), and I’ve found golf to be the most challenging. I look forward to introducing the sport of golf to our scholar-athletes.”
Bowers’ assistant baseball coach, Anthony Veiga, will take over the head varsity baseball coaching position. Veiga previously served as the interim head baseball coach in 2018 when Bowers went on medical leave with an injury after the fourth game. Veiga went 6-4 as the head coach to finish the 2018 season.
Bowers recommended Veiga to be the head baseball coach, noting he worked with Veiga for the past three years at University Middle School in the health and physical education department. Veiga had been Bowers’ assistant coach for three years. “His unselfishness and commitment to our scholar-athletes are unwavering. His ambition, drive and professionalism are assets to our athletes and community. I have no reservation about handing coach Veiga the reins of Blue Knights baseball. And of course, I will continue to support our program in any capacity available. Irvington baseball is on the rise.”
Taylor commented on Bowers and Veiga in their new roles.
“If you are with coach Bowers for more than two minutes, his love for the game of golf will come up in the conversation,” Taylor wrote in an email to Irvington Herald. “He serves on the board at Weequahic Golf Course, and plays all the time. His selection as the golf coach was a no-brainer.
“Coach Veiga did an excellent job as the interim head baseball coach in the final 10 games of the 2018 season,” Taylor continued. “He’s a tireless worker, is invested in helping develop the players and builds positive relationships with all those involved with the baseball program.”
Veiga is thrilled to become the new head baseball coach.
“I’m excited to step into the head coaching position for Irvington baseball,” wrote Veiga in an email to the Irvington Herald.
Veiga noted that Paul Tortorella, who also is the IHS girls volleyball head coach, will join the IHS baseball program as an assistant coach, moving up from the middle school level. “We look forward to continue working with our returning players and welcome new student-athletes to the team,” Veiga stated. ”It’s going to be a big rebuilding year for us as we had eight seniors graduate in June. Our goals are to fill quite a few starting positions, strengthen our pitching rotation and improve our record from last season. We are ready to work with our team this offseason in the cage, weight room, and on the field to compete in our division.”
Brett Cannon has been appointed as the new IHS girls basketball head coach.
Cannon served as the head girls coach at University Middle School for four seasons, and one season as the head boys coach at Union Avenue Middle School in 2018-19.
He replaced Noel Segarra, who stepped down after one season. Segarra accepted coaching positions at Indian Hills Regional High School in Oakland in Bergen County.
The Blue Knights had a great season under Segarra, winning the Super Essex Conference-Freedom Division title with an undefeated 11-0 divisional mark. IHS advanced to the North 2, Group 3 sectional tournament semifinals, falling to top-seeded Chatham, 56-41, to finish with an overall 22-5 record.
IHS was led by since-graduated Tiara Mahorn and Briana Lee. Mahorn averaged 25.2 points, 6.9 steals and 6.5 assists for the season and finished with 1,062 career points.
Lee, who joined the team as a transfer from METS Charter, averaged 24.0 points and 11.2 rebounds and led the team in steals with an average of 7.7. She finished her career with 1,470 points, 613 rebounds and 325 steals.
“During the interview process, it was obvious Brett has a high basketball IQ,” stated Taylor. “He speaks well about teaching fundamentals, and demonstrates passion when he speaks about the game. As the University Middle School girls basketball coach, he worked with many of the returning players. I think that only helps Brett’s ability to build strong relationships on his team.”
Taylor also mentioned that the girls volleyball team drew 40 athletes for tryouts. To accommodate, Irvington has added a freshman girls team. Myles Hart, the head varsity bowling coach, has agreed to be the freshman coach.
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