Mineola High School Athletic Director Ralph Amitrano announced the hiring of James Hegmann as the Mustangs new varsity basketball coach beginning with the 2006-2007 season. Hegmann hails from a well-known Mineola basketball family and has previous experience as a girls summer league coach at the high school. According to Amitrano, "I look forward to Jimmy doing a great job for us. He is an energetic, positive person with a great basketball background. Jimmy has a good understanding of the expectations that it takes to create a positive environment where student athletes can become better players and better people." Hegmann will meet his prospective players when tryouts begin on Nov. 15.

Hegmann was previously the junior varsity basketball coach at Elmont Memorial High School where he currently teaches social studies. Jim's rise through the ranks includes stints as a Spartan assistant varsity girls coach and head coach for both the boys and girls junior high teams. Elmont Athletic Director Peter Gaffney knew Hegmann, was ready for a Head Varsity position at the school but did not see the opening becoming available in the near future. Nonetheless, Gaffney was pleased for Hegmann describing him as, "A positive, self-motivated person who handles his players first as people, then as students and finally as players on his team. He has outstanding sportsmanship qualities and passes them on to his players. Jim has a strong knowledge of the game, does an excellent job teaching fundamentals and strategies and has a Presence on the court that commands respect and regard. He is a strong disciplinarian, establishing team rules and regulations that he fairly and conscientiously enforces."

Jim was a graduate of Western Maryland University (now known as McDaniel College) where he played from 1997-1999 serving as team captain in his senior year. Hegmann was a Centennial Conference Player of the Week and recipient of the Art Press Most Valuable Player Award while leading the team in field goal percentage in his final campaign. He amassed a career total of 197 rebounds, 77 blocked shots and 288 points in 66 games for WMU. Prior to attending McDaniel, Jim was an alumnus of St. Mary's High School of Manhasset where he played under legendary coach Tim Cluess, now the head coach at the C.W. Post NCAA Division II program. Cluess remembered Hegmann as "a dedicated and hard working young man who was a pleasure. He will be a terrific young coach." Hegmann was named to the CHSAA All Star team in his graduation year as a Gael.

Hegmann has strong community roots in Mineola where he grew up and his family still resides. His father, "Big Jim" Hegmann, was a star player for Niagara University out of Carey High School who was heavily recruited by the likes of Lou Carnesecca and others. As a near seven-footer, "Little Jim" does not fall far from the family tree. His sister, Samantha, was a key member of last year's Lady Mustangs basketball team as a senior. Jim is excited to be returning to the village in such an important role.

Jim spends most of his free time around a basketball court as a counselor at the New York Knicks camps and clinics, and the St. Dominic's High School Camp in Oyster Bay. Baymen Coach Rob Pavinelli, last year's CHSAA Champion, raved about Hegmann's abilities, "Jim is going to make a great high school coach. He is hard-working, knowledgeable, and has an excellent rapport with his players. He comes from a great basketball family and will not just teach kids the game of basketball, but will also be an excellent mentor." Hegmann also was a staff member of the George Bruns Basketball Camp where he worked beside the longtime Manhasset High School and Nassau Community College head coach. Bruns is also a former NBA player with the New York Nets.

Hegmann looks forward to an exciting rookie year with the Mustangs where he will be depending on key returning starters TJ Gessner and Sammy Seda. Hegmann has been visible in the community attending various local basketball events and seminars. Jim was also instrumental in volunteering as supervisor for the Mineola Athletic Booster Club "Open Gym" Nights this summer and fall. While Mineola eagerly anticipates a new era in Mustang Basketball, Gaffney regrets Elmont's loss. "Jim Hegmann is a team player and a Great Guy. He is personable, mature, trustworthy and dedicated. We are going to miss him at Elmont. He was a huge part of our "basketball think tank" In his wildest dreams, things could not have worked out better for Hegmann. Not only will this commence his first varsity head coaching assignment but he will make his debut at "The Worlds Most Famous Arena." The Mustangs take the floor at Madison Square Garden in the Dec. 29 matinee. What an excellent way to re-establish a Mineola legacy.