Newsom To Support St. Luke's College Prospects

With a record number of students from the St. Luke’s Class of 2018 recruited to play a sport at the Division I or Division III level, the School’s College Counseling Office recognized the need to help guide our student-athletes through the process.

 

Director of College Counseling, Sonia Bell, knew that student-athletes looking to play in college needed support well before a student’s first official meeting with College Counseling, which is  typically held in November of junior year. She was also aware that college application requirements are different for each sport and level and that student-athletes would benefit from some expert help navigating the process.

 

In Boys Varsity Basketball Coach Tony Newsom, St. Luke’s has that expert. Newsom played Division I basketball at Niagara University and spent 22 years coaching at schools such as Princeton University, College of the Holy Cross, Fairfield University, and Quinnipiac University.

It wasn't just Newsom’s experience that impressed Bell: “What made Tony such an attractive candidate was his dogged pursuit of answers, his genuine interest in students, and his ability to be both honest and supportive. Tony is not afraid to pick up the phone to call college coaches to find out what they are looking for in their student-athletes, where they ”recruit” their prospective athletes, and how they determine if a student is the right fit for their program.”

Bell believes Newsom’s insights are invaluable: “As a former student-athlete and college coach, Tony can speak with St. Luke’s students interested in playing in college about the commitment level needed to be successful at that level. He wants to make sure he helps student-athletes make good decisions based on a wide array of information.”

Newsom met with each team this fall to introduce himself and will do the same for teams this winter and spring. He will invite any student who wishes to pursue sports in college to meet with him one-on-one and is available to meet with parents to discuss the process, too.

Newsom will also serve in an admissions capacity to help new students and families transition to St. Luke’s once they make the decision to enroll. “Tony has truly become a member of the St. Luke’s community,” says Bell. “We are excited to have him on board.”