LYNN– The connection between a father and son is a special bond. And when sports become involved, that connection can become even more meaningful. Just ask Lynn native Jasper Grassa, who has always been his father Tom’s side.
Jasper played basketball under his father’s tutelage at Classical from 2007-2010, before bringing his hoops talents to the collegiate level at Division II Bentley. After four years as a Falcon, Grassa re-joined Classical to work side-by-side with Tom as his assistant coach and has served in that role for the past three seasons.
Now Grassa’s coaching journey, in which he followed in his father’s footsteps, has come full circle. Classical Athletic Director Bill Devin announced on Wednesday that Jasper Grassa has been hired to replace his father as the school’s new boys basketball coach.
The announcement comes after Tom, who directed the Rams for 31 seasons, stepped down from the position last month.
“I was very happy and very excited,” Jasper Grassa said of his reaction when he found out he got the job. “I’m very excited to get started with this season.”
Familiarity won’t be an issue for Grassa when the upcoming hoops season gets underway. A star guard for the Rams in his days wearing the green and yellow, Grassa has the experience in both playing and coaching in the program and will rely on the familiarity he’s built at Classical when he takes over the helm.
“I’m definitely ready for this,” Grassa said. “I’ve been able to go through the Lynn Public Schools system and play at Bentley. I’ve seen what it takes to play there. These past three years have taught me a lot and I’ve seen the changes in the game. I’ve seen what teams play like and what systems they run. It’s become second-nature for me.
“I went to the same high school my players are going to,” Grassa added. “I’ve been through it. I was lucky enough to earn a scholarship coming from a public school in Lynn. That’s definitely something I can get these kids ready for.”
It’ll also help his cause that Grassa, a computer/IT teacher at Classical, works in the building in which his players go to school.
“Me being in the building as a teacher is a huge thing,” Grassa said. “That makes a huge difference.”
Grassa inherits a Rams team that’s fresh from a deep run in the Division 2 North state tournament. Classical was bounced from the tournament in the sectional final with a 79-73 loss to Brighton, the eventual Division 2 state champion.
“We only graduated one player last year,” Grassa said. “We have a lot of talent coming back. As long as the team plays together and plays with maturity on the court, I think we should have a very good season.”
However, that doesn’t mean the upcoming season will be a cakewalk for the Rams. Grassa has coached and played in the Northeastern Conference and knows Classical will have its hands full against NEC opponents.
“Every year the NEC is competitive,” Grassa said. “Even if teams graduate a talented class, there are great coaches in this conference and teams are always ready for us. Just because teams graduate players, that doesn’t mean wins are guaranteed. New players are always coming up and they’re always ready.”
Grassa noted that academics will be a major part of what he preaches to his players. Earning a basketball scholarship to a Division II program is one of Grassa’s proudest accomplishments, and one that he’d like to see his players reach as well.
“My main goal is to have my kids matured and ready to move on to the next level,” Grassa said. “Hopefully that means college and I hope that’s something all my players reach for. That’s the main thing for me. If you can help these kids mature and become young men, the basketball will take care of itself.
“You have to stay on your players,” Grassa added. “If they start slipping, it can happen fast. We have study hall program with the “No Ceilings” Foundation. They’ve brought that program to Classical and that has been a huge help these past couple of years.”
Classical tips off the new season on November 27, when the Rams gather for their first day of tryouts.
“I’m ready to get started,” Grassa said. “I’ve been looking forward to this all summer and I’m just glad it’s here. I’m ready to get going.”
