Long before new Msgr. McClancy H.S., East Elmhurst, varsity baseball coach Thomas Cloonen took over the program prior to this season, the writing was already on the wall.

Cloonen played his high school baseball at McClancy, and during his exit interview as a senior, then-head coach Nick Melito said he envisioned Cloonen someday returning to the school as the head coach.

Sure enough, Melito’s prediction came true. Cloonen is firmly in the midst of his first season at the helm of the Crusaders following an 18-year run by Melito, who racked up nearly 250 victories in his CHSAA coaching career.

Born and raised in Middle Village, Cloonen played baseball and basketball for Our Lady of Hope before attending McClancy. He played his first two seasons as a center fielder and pitcher on the junior varsity team and then rose up to Melito’s varsity team for his final two years.

He was an All-City selection as a junior and senior as well as a team captain his final season. It’s no wonder why Melito knew he would someday make a great coach.

After graduating high school in 2009, Cloonen went on to play outfield at Lindenwood University, St. Charles, Mo. As a sophomore, he was named an All-American and Scholar Athlete.

Right after Cloonen graduated, he received a call from Melito to gauge his interest about joining the Crusaders’ varsity baseball coaching staff. Cloonen accepted, especially since he never forgot the impact Melito had on his baseball upbringing.

“He’s (Melito) a great coach, not just on the field but off the field,” Cloonen said. “He’s like a father figure to me. He always has been. I’ve known him since I’m 8 years old going to the McClancy baseball camps.

“Playing for him was special. To get the opportunity to coach with him as well for five years as an assistant, it means a lot to me.”

Soon after he began coaching, Cloonen started teaching at McClancy as well. He currently teaches physical education and health while also serving as assistant athletic director. Once Melito hung up his spikes last year, Cloonen was a perfect fit to follow in his former coach’s footsteps.

“Honestly it’s a dream come true,” he said. “McClancy is where my heart’s always been. It’s my home. I spent a lot of time there. I knew at some point I’d probably end up back there, but I didn’t think it would be this quick.”

So far, the transition process has gone smoothly for the 27-year-old Cloonen, who connects well with the young student-athletes. Melito has of course helped out in an advisory role as his former star center fielder builds his program.

“You’re not just coaching baseball now as the head coach,” Cloonen said. “You’re an educator, and you’re a psychologist too. You’re dealing with teenage kids that you’re trying to mold into their maximum potential. That’s all I want from them, to be good student-athletes and reach their potential as student-athletes. That’s really all I can ask for.”

Also helping with the transition have been Cloonen’s three assistant coaches. His good friend Rob Mongiori, ’11, who was his teammate at McClancy, joined him on the varsity staff after a stint coaching junior varsity as an assistant.

Mike Barnwell, ’81, and recently retired NYPD officer Gary Miret, ’79, have coached the Crusaders as assistants for 19 and 14 years, respectively, so Cloonen has relied heavily on their experience and sage wisdom when it comes to the local Catholic League.

The Crusaders are a young team this season, with six sophomores on the varsity squad. The team features a strong arsenal of senior pitching and is still waiting to hit its stride offensively to be more consistent at the dish.

Just like Melito however, Cloonen knows very well that coaching high school baseball isn’t all about winning games. When the seniors leave his program, he hopes to have equipped them with valuable skills they’ll use in their lives.

“I tell them every day after practice that we need to try to get 1 percent better,” he said. “That’s my philosophy in life too, just try to get better every day and don’t give up on your dreams. I’m a big believer in that.

“I just want them to be better people. That’s what this program is about and what it’s always been about.”

Melito knew he had a “diamond in the rough” when a talented lefty from Our Lady of Hope stepped onto the baseball diamond at McClancy.

Now it’s up to Cloonen to pay it forward by guiding his Crusaders to achieve their dreams.

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Contact Jim Mancari via email at jmmanc@gmail.com.