North Star Basketball Club

Interview – John Ginnity

North Stars first season in senior basketball since they were reformed in 2002 saw them promoted to the Ulster Premier League and the second season was going to be a tough test of the newly formed clubs ability. Luckily it coincided with “Playing for Peace” setting up an operation in Derry and two American Coaches, John Ginnity and Pat Maloney (and later in the same year Scott Hettemann), were sent to the North-West to help establish the program in the area. The coaches put a tremendous effort into basketball in the area through both their playing and coaching skills and the effects can still be seen today. So six years later NorthStarBasketball.com decided to sit down with the guys and find out what they thought of the experience and to see what they are up to now. First up John “Ginzo” Ginnity;

“This game is a War, every single defensive and offensive transition is a battle, win the battles and we will win the war!” - John Ginnity

Well John how are you doing these days?

Hello All North Star Fans!!! Life is going very well right now and has been for quite some time. I have recently married my lovely wife Laura and we are in the process of purchasing our first home. The weather is getting a little nippy here in Massachusetts and that means one thing.....Basketball Season!

Congratulations! What are you doing with yourself at the minute?

I am the Associate Head Coach of Clark University and we have an interesting team this year. This is our third year of rebuilding a national competitor. We have a couple of seasoned veterans and a handful of bright young players working to become stars. We will start slow but hope to finish strong as we all mesh together. I love a challenge so I am really enjoying this year. Perhaps my greatest challenge since taking over the reigns of the 2004 d2 North Star team led by the infamous NZA McDZA, Macca, Campbell and Locky!!!!

What does being an assistant coach at a College involve?

Being an assistant on the college level involves everything. You never know what odd jobs you will be doing when you show up. Recruiting and practice time are the most time consuming, but scouting, watching film, individual workouts, fundraising, alumni. There are so many facets of the job.

What are you expectations at Clark this season?

We are young but I expect us to be around .500. I believe we are a year away.

Is it your ambition to be a head coach of a college one day?

Yes, I want to run my own ship someday!!

Do you have any advice for young players with dreams of making it as a basketball player in America?

Books first Basketball second. We have a kid from England and a kid from Serbia on our team. They are both very good students and very good players. Without their academic background they would not be with us.

Are you playing any ball these days? How’s your game?

Since marriage my legs have become week and my game has turned from Steve Nash to John Stockton. Less aggressive and fast but more intelligent and crafty!!

When you and Pat arrived in Ireland your first taste of competitive action was in the Errigle Inn Pre-season tournament which North Star won. What were your first impressions of Basketball in Northern Ireland?

Honestly, my first impressions were that there was a select few who were really hungry to make basketball a more popular sport and that the game had great potential to grow. Talent was not at a high level but players had a real sense of playing as a team rather than going one on one. That made the transition a lot easier!

So you settled in fairly quickly? What did you think of Derry as a place to live?

I really liked Derry as a place to live. I met some great lifelong friends and it was a real joy to be around them. Nights out were fantastic and the “craic” was unmatchable!!

During your time with North Star are there any momentss that stand out? Including ones you might have played in or coached?

There were many great moments. Winning the Errigle Inn Torney was nice and coaching the younger team was great. They were all so coachable.


So when are you coming back to Derry?

I wish I was there now!!! "Oh I wish I was back home in Derrrry!"

Thanks John, all the best for the season from everyone at North Star! Any last words?

Yeah, note to the younger players, don't chase the girls, PLAY BALL and they will end up chasing you!!!!

Until next time....I am on a mission that some say is impossible but when I swing my swords they are all choppable…

Ginzo '04

Mini-Bio: John Ginnity graduated with a bachelor's in Sociology from Clark College in 2001 and is currently in his seventh season and second stint on the men’s basketball coaching staff as assistant head coach. He served as an assistant coach at Assumption College in 2005-06 and prior to Assumption, Ginnity served as Clark’s assistant junior varsity men’s basketball coach (2002-03) and assistant varsity coach (2002-2005). The Fitchburg, Mass., native brings his playing experience to the sidelines, as he was a three-year starter (1999-2001) who helped lead the Cougars to the NCAA Elite Eight Tournament as a senior in 2001. John earned Most Valuable Player and New England Basketball Coaches Association (NEBCA) All-Star honors that year. In addition, he received Clark's prestigious Fred Hebert Award, presented to a male senior athlete for outstanding contribution to the University's athletic program.

< Prev