For 40 years from 1965 to 2005, Frank McCartney carved out an impressive resume as the head track coach at Xaverian H.S., Bay Ridge.

Sure, the accolades and championships piled up over the years, but for the longtime coach, seeing his son Brian take over as Xaverian’s new head coach has been one of his most rewarding track memories.

On this Father’s Day, we remember that the realm of sports has been uniting father and son for generations. But for the McCartneys, it certainly goes a step further.

Frank grew up in St. Patrick’s parish, Bay Ridge, before running track for two years at St. Francis Prep, Brooklyn, and two years at St. John’s University, Jamaica. He specialized in the 200-, 400- and 600-meter races.

However, he said he would have rather coached baseball or basketball upon beginning his teaching career at Xaverian in 1962. But in 1965, the first coaching job that opened was the head track and field position, so he decided to give that a shot.

In 2000, Brian entered Xaverian as a freshman. One of Frank’s other sons, Danny, was a year ahead of Brian and a member of Frank’s team, so Frank was already used to coaching one of his sons.

Brian went on to run all 12 track seasons for the Clippers, with cross-country every fall, the indoor season in the winter and the outdoor season each spring. It turns out Brian competed in mostly the same events as his father.

Sometimes when a student-athlete has a father who doubles as a coach, the experience could be different than that of the other team members. But Frank made sure that wasn’t the case.

“In four years of high school, I don’t think I called him (Frank) ‘Dad’ once; I always called him ‘Coach,’” Brian said. “He treated me just the same way that he treated all my buddies.”

Both Brian and Danny continued their track careers at Wagner College, Staten Island. Brian majored in business management but decided he wanted to teach, so he earned a master’s degree from Brooklyn College, Midwood.

He started working at Xaverian as a teacher’s assistant, took over as head track coach in 2010 and now teaches physical education and health at the Bay Ridge school. Frank was ecstatic when he found out the news.

Xaverian Legacy Continues

“It was outstanding that he’d (Brian) be taking over after me,” Frank said. “The legacy was still there. When Brian took over, he revived the sport, so it was great to see him doing it.”

Though Brian had run track in high school and college, he really had no hands-on coaching experience when he took over the Clipper program. Meanwhile though, he was responsible for the varsity, junior varsity and freshmen teams, which seemed like an overwhelming task.

“That first year, I had no help, and I was coaching the three seasons and the three levels, so it was definitely very challenging,” Brian said. “But I just went to what I knew. I went right to him (Frank), and he helped me plan some workouts. In the indoor season, which is the tougher season, he was actually coming two days a week. He was my assistant.”

When Frank coached, he made it a point to create strong relationships with his runners, and that’s exactly what Brian has incorporated into his coaching style.

“He’s (Frank) a father figure to them,” Brian said. “Since I’m younger, I’m like a big brother to the guys on my team, but we have very similar conversations, and things that go on during my practices went on when I was a runner.”

“Teaching in high school is more than just teaching; coaching is the same thing,” Frank said. “It’s being there when a kid needs you. You realize what influence you had on a kid when you see them 15 or 20 years later. It’s amazing.”

Frank recently retired as the chairperson for Brooklyn/Queens CHSAA track and field, and though he’s been out of coaching for nearly 10 years, he still stays involved with his son’s program.

“I know all his (Brian) runners; they’re all great kids,” Frank said. “I’m there if he wants to bounce something off me, but I try not to interfere with his coaching at all, because it’s his team now. I’m there if he needs me.”

It’s very fitting that Brian has been able to carry on the McCartney name with Xaverian track. The torch has been passed to what could wind up being another 40-year head track coaching career.

“I always want to make him (Frank) proud,” Brian said. “The fact that he’s still asking me questions and wants to be involved with the kids on my team makes me feel like I’m doing his legacy justice.”

As for Frank, he takes pride in seeing all of his sons – Brian, Danny and Glen, who is the softball coach at Telecommunications H.S., Bay Ridge – continue the family’s sports tradition. What better gift can a father ask for on Father’s Day?

“I thank the Lord for all the gifts He’s given me,” Frank said. “I know the (Xaverian) track program is in good hands, so I can rest easily. I can go out and enjoy my golf game!”

[hr]Contact Jim Mancari via email at jmancari@desalesmedia.org.[hr]