B-BP Athletics Program Shoots for a Higher Prize

I recently had the chance to speak with Timothy Mullins, Assistant Superintendent for Personnel and Athletics of Bayport-Blue Point, to discuss all things Phantoms.

We discussed several important topics, from budgets to youth programs. With the development and community involvement as the driving force behind the Phantoms’ success, Mullins has his expectations set high for the rapidly building athletic program.

Q: What is the state of the athletic program current day?

A: We’re actually in a great spot right now from where we started a few years ago. We’ve transformed into a competitive athletic school district and I think the community has done a tremendous job building youth programs, which have served our athletic program tremendously. The community has been huge from an athletic standpoint.

Q: How has the community been helping out the most?

A: Years ago, we didn’t even have a PAL football program. That program is fairly new. We have a youth lacrosse is fairly new both boys and girls which is booming, CYO basketball is booming, CYO volleyball has started up and even Little League for softball and baseball; it’s those little things that enrollment has been booming.

We’re reaping the rewards of all the hard work. The kids are coming here with the foundation for athletics, and it's certainly transformed our athletic program.

Q: Have you noticed a change in the mindset of the athletes and coaches?

A: The athletes have been putting in the time and they know what it expected from them now. Whereas, years ago, it was not as important to kids back then. Now the athlete’s parents and coaches are all making the commitment to make this succeed.

Q: With the change in the commitment, what are the expectations?

A: Years ago we were looking to just compete, now, the bottom line is we’re looking to win championships. We’re looking to win League Championships, County Championships, Long Island and eventually State Championships.

Years of winning a game or just making the playoffs are over. Our goals are set on the higher prize. We want the championships, and that’s what our coaches and athletes are looking towards.

Q: Which team has the best opportunity at a championship in the near future?

A: In the spring, in current terms, boys and girls lacrosse. I’m expecting a County Championship from both. I don’t want to put any pressure on coaches, but we’re at a point where last year we played for the County  title in both boys and girls, and this year with the kids we have coming back and what they did in the offseason, I think the County title isn’t out of the realm of possibility.

Q: Coming from West Islip, what led you to Bayport-Blue Point?

A: I was definitely looking to make the jump to the administrative ranks and athletics have always had a special place in my heart.

I was very selective with the districts I was looking at and saw B-BP as a diamond in the rough as far as districts are concerned. It’s like West Islip, but on a smaller scale.

I wanted to come to a place that values education and I saw the athletics department as a sleeping giant and fortunately, all my hopes have come to fruition here.

Q: How has the budget impacted the program?

A: We definitely had to scale back as far as JV is concerned. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to have many non-league games this year.

As a cost-saving measure, we had to make some modifications to our programs as far as uniforms and supplies are concerned. Overall, we’ve managed to keep our athletics program intact. All school districts statewide the next few years are going to have a difficult time. It’s a matter of keeping our community involved and putting a quality product on the field.

Q: It must be important to attract fans with the budgets. How has the attendance been for your teams?

A: Bottom line, you come to some of our basketball games and our bleachers are packed. Some people don’t even have kids in the district. They just come because they’re fans and supporters. Those are the people we really need to keep interested in our program because they make the difference in this economic climate.

It’s just a credit to this community with how much they support our student athletes. It’s a fantastic community; I’m very fortunate to be part of it.