Photo courtesy TheUconnblog.com
By Morey Hershgordon
After eight seasons as an assistant coach under Tom Moore at Quinnipiac University, Scott Burrell will be the next head coach of rising Division II basketball powerhouse Southern Connecticut State. This is the newest endeavor for Burrell as he embarks on a new journey in his storied basketball career.
Chip Malafronte of the New Haven Register was the first to report Burrell’s move.
Regarded as one of the best athletes in Connecticut state history, Burrell attended Hamden High School where he starred in football, basketball and baseball. He pledged his commitment to play both football and baseball at the University of Miami (FL), but was persuaded by assistant men’s basketball coach Howie Dickenman to play basketball for the University of Connecticut.
Despite being drafted in the first round by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1991 MLB draft and pitching in the minor leagues during the summertime, Burrell was the cornerstone of the program since his inception at UConn. He helped lead the Huskies to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and is most remembered for his court-length pass to teammate Tate George with one second left for the game winning shot to beat fifth-seeded Clemson in the 1990 East Regional semi-final.
In four years, the Hamden-native became the first player in NCAA men’s basketball Division I history to record over 1,500 points, 750 rebounds, 275 assists and 300 steals.
In the 1993 NBA draft, the Charlotte Hornets selected Burrell with the 20th overall pick. Burrell played for four teams during eight seasons and won an NBA championship with Micahel Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in 1998. The 44-year-old continued his professional basketball career overseas until 2006. He has been an assistant at Quinnipiac since 2007.
Also, multiple sources close to the team confirmed to Q30Sports that Mike Papale will be leaving the Quinnipiac’s men’s basketball program as well. Papale, the Director of Basketball Operations for the last three seasons, has reportedly accepted a position as the top assistant coach. He is expected to accept by the end of this week.
Extras:
- Scott Burrell remains the only athlete in history to be drafted in the first round of two sports (MLB and NBA).
- Both of Burrell’s parents went to Southern Connecticut State.
- Southern Connecticut State is coming off of back-to-back Sweet 16 appearances in the Division II NCAA Tournament. It reached the Elite 8 in the 2013-2014 season.
- Papale was an assistant coach at Division II Umass Lowell during the 2011-2012 season. This will be his second coaching stint at the Division II level.
Faces in the crowd and what they’re saying:
Tom Moore, Quinnipiac University men’s basketball head coach: “I am thrilled for Scott Burrell as he begins his head coaching career at Southern Connecticut. He has done an incredible job for us here at Quinnipiac in all facets of coaching…on the court, recruiting, in the community, and as a mentor to our student-athletes. We will miss him dearly, but we all share in his excitement at this great opportunity.”
Kevin Ollie, University of Connecticut men’s basketball head coach and former teammate with Burrell at UConn: “I couldn’t be more proud of my close friend and former UConn teammate Scott Burrell as he takes charge of the outstanding basketball program at Southern Connecticut State University,” Ollie said in a statement. “I know that what Scott learned about the game from Coach Calhoun and throughout his own playing career in college and the NBA, plus the coaching experience he gained under Coach Moore at Quinnipiac will serve him well as he takes on this new basketball challenge. But, even more important, the kind of person Scott is makes him a tremendous asset to the entire community at Southern Connecticut as he prepares his student-athletes for life following college. I congratulate both Scott and Southern Connecticut on this special day.”
Jay Moran, Southern Connecticut State University Athletic Director: “We are thrilled to have Scott leading our men’s basketball program as we continue our quest for a National Championship. He is an excellent role model for our student-athletes and possesses a wealth of experience that is unparalleled.”
Evan Conti, Quinnipiac shooting guard 2011-2015: “Coach Burrell was the most unselfish coach I ever played for. He was always there for you when you needed anything on and off the court and it was truly an honor to have the opportunity to get to learn from him the past four years.”
Zach Zealor, Quinnipiac men’s basketball manager 2011-2015: “I think Southern is getting a great person. Not only is Coach Burrell a legend from the area, drawing interest from the community, but he is also a hard-working and dedicated person to his home state. He obviously has high basketball credentials, playing at the highest level of competition for hall of fame coaches and with hall of fame players so he has great insight to the game. Since I’ve been a part of the program, I have seen him grow in every facet of the job. He does an excellent job of not only finding talent, but highly motivated players. I wish him only the best knowing he will make the most of this opportunity.
