Baseball & Basketball Coach
1967-1973
After serving as captain for both the basketball and baseball teams at Manhattan College, George graduated in 1966 with his bachelor’s degree in mathematics. That summer, he played in the St. Louis Cardinal system in Sarasota, Florida. His first year teaching and coaching were spent at his alma mater, St. Augustine H.S. in Brooklyn, where he served as assistant coach to Charlie O’Donnell.
George married his wife, Elene, in June 1967. That fall, he began teaching mathematics and coaching the varsity basketball team at Msgr. McClancy Memorial H.S. under the principalship of Brother Robert Connolly, S.C. In the spring of 1969, he was named the J.V. baseball coach under Vern Bauer whom he succeeded as head coach the following season.
In the fall of 1970, George took a position as Instructor of Mathematics at Nassau Community College continuing to coach at McClancy. In 1971, Coach Bruns took both of his teams to the City Championship Games and was named Coach of the Year in both Basketball and Baseball for his teams’ efforts.
During this period, George earned his master’s degree in Math from Fordham University and competed on weekends in the Eastern Pro League. In 1973, his final year of coaching at McClancy, Lou Carnesecca signed him to a contract with the N.Y. Nets of the A.B.A.
In this six-year span, George coached many young men who received athletic scholarships to college and have become successful professionals. Most importantly, many of them are family men who are presently involved in sports at all levels and are exerting a positive influence on young people today. Leroy Charles, Don Cooper, and Frank Giannone are Hall of Fame members who played for coach Bruns.
In 1980, George earned his Ph.D. in Statistics from Hofstra University and was promoted to full professor. Presently, George is the head coach of the women’s basketball team. He was named Coach of the Year in the Region XV twice in three years.
Elene and George have lived in Floral Park for over 30 years and have three lovely daughters, Kimberly, Meredith, and Holly.