Bardstown High School principal Cara Blackmon and athletic director David Clark announced Monday the selection of James “Boo” Brewer as the next coach for the men’s basketball program.  Brewer will take over the position vacated by Coach Gary Goode who resigned the coaching position after a very successful   8-year term coaching the Tigers.  Goode will continue his teaching career at Bardstown High School.

Brewer, 41 years old and a 1988 graduate of Bardstown High School, followed up his outstanding high school athletic career by playing basketball for the University of Louisville under coach Denny Crum.  After college, he played professional basketball in the United States and Europe. 

Most recently, Brewer has taught and coached at Larue County High School for the past five years.  He holds a bachelor of science degree in Justice Administration from the University of Louisville and a masters in Special Education from Campbellsville University.  He will be a special education teacher at Bardstown. 

Brewer has two sons, Jordan and Anthony, both high school sophomores, and two daughters, Alexis, who is currently in 7^th grade, and Shayla, 21.

According to Clark, Brewer was chosen from an extensive pool of excellent candidates.  “We were so impressed with the quality of the individuals who were attracted to this position,” said Clark.  “At the end of the process, however, Coach Brewer was selected because he meets and even exceeds all the qualities we were looking for as a coach, teacher, and mentor for not only our student athletes, but all our students.”

“One of the things Coach Brewer brings to Bardstown is a history and an ingrained understanding and appreciation for our school and our community,” said Blackmon.  “His accomplishments after high school in both academics and athletics make him an excellent role model for students.  In addition, his teaching experience at Larue County makes him a great fit for Bardstown High School.  He will be a great addition to our outstanding team of teachers.”

“I am really excited about this opportunity to come back home for my first head coaching job,” said Brewer.  “I have always stayed in contact with the program and have had relatives in the program through the years.  I know my hard work and work ethic, combined with the kids’ hard work both on and off the court, will keep Bardstown on the map in basketball and we will stay competitive in the 5^th region.”

 Background History.

While at Bardstown, “Boo” starred in football, basketball, track and baseball.  In basketball, he lettered 5 years and made numerous all-tournament, all-district and all-region teams.  In addition, he was named to the All-State team 3 times and was runner-up to Mr. Kentucky Basketball his senior year.  In 1988, he was named to the McDonald’s All-American team.  He graduated from Bardstown with 2496 career points.  Also in 1988, he played in the Kentucky-Indiana All-Star games and was the leading scorer. 

In football, he lettered 4 years and was a 2-time member of the All-State teams. He was chosen to be a member of the Kentucky All-Star team that played the Tennessee All-Stars.  He scored 27 touchdowns in a single season and was runner-up to Mr. Kentucky Football and a Gatorade All-American.  For his career, he had over 4600 total yards and scored 46 touchdowns.  In track, he won numerous medals and was a state champion 3 times.  He made All-State in track 4 times and in 1988 he was an All-American track and field athlete.

He went on to star in basketball at the University of Louisville from 1988-1993.  There he held the record for the most 3-point shots made in a game for 11 years and the most steals in a game for 3 years.  He won Metro Tournament awards for the best free-throw shooter and best 3 point shooter for 2 consecutive years.  He went on to play professional basketball in Europe for 14 years.

He has been inducted into the Dawahare’s Kentucky High School Athletic Association’s Hall of Fame.

He is the proud father of 4 children, Sheyla, Jordan, Anthony and Alexis.

He enjoys giving back to his children what his parents, teachers, and coaches gave him.

 BARDSTOWN HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME -INDUCTED OCTOBER 22, 2004