<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3wfee1_1GwtJgNC00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3wfee1_1GwtJgNC00" width="1045" height="1200" ><figcaption>Courtesy Irvin Payne</figcaption></figure>Coach Irvin Payne, girls’ JV basketball head coach, varsity assistant coach and JV flag football coach, has accepted the girls’ varsity basketball head coaching position at Blair High School. Payne has been a part of the WJ community for six years, coaching under girls’ varsity basketball head coach Christopher Donlon the whole time. “I’m very excited for him, he’s been working for this for 6 years now, he’s been looking to lead a program,” Donlon said. “I think he’s going to do a great job.” Payne interviewed for the position at Blair and received an unexpected call while attending a girls’ soccer game. Although becoming a head coach was something he had been working toward, the news still came as a surprise. “They called me on the phone and I didn’t know how to react,” Payne said. “I was in big shock, it got to the point where she said, just take 24 hours to think about it.” While Payne is excited about his new opportunity, saying goodbye to WJ will not be easy. He has loved coaching at WJ, and it’s an experience that he will always remember and carry with him moving forward. “It’s a culture shock to me,” Payne said. “It’s something that I made comfortable, I made it a home, and that first game on Dec. 4 is gonna feel weird wearing red instead of green.” Beyond the change in colors and mascot, Payne will especially miss the relationships he has built at WJ. “I’m really gonna miss it [WJ] every day,” Payne said. “Just getting a chance to get to know the girls, the parents, everybody in the building.” As Payne is preparing to take over Blair’s program, he’s focused on fostering a positive and supportive environment for his first season. He is prioritizing his players, especially the seniors, to ensure everyone has a great first season under his leadership.“I’m a little nervous just because I got hired so close to the season,” Payne said. “I’m still trying to meet everybody, learn the operations of that school and just make sure the seniors there are gonna have a great senior season when I get there.” Although Payne is leaving, he has made a lasting impact on all the players he has coached at WJ, both on varsity or JV. It will be a hard goodbye for his players, but they are excited for him and this new opportunity. “I was really happy for him, but I obviously feel sad because he’s always there and it’s gonna suck not seeing him,” sophomore basketball player Nicole Parodi Alfonso said. Payne played a crucial role in fostering an environment where players felt seen and supported.“If anyone ever has a bad game or is just really upset about a game, he makes sure to come up to you and let you know you’re doing great and you’re playing well,” junior basketball player Hannah Schwartz said. “Just helping you get out of your head, I see the same with varsity too.” Payne’s encouragement helped players stay composed during games, something many will miss.“I think that Irv’s absence will affect the team’s dynamic and environment, because he’s such a positive person, it helps calm the team in moments of chaos,” sophomore basketball player Addie Brush said. “The way he sees the game and the advice he gives will be absent, which will impact the way some of us will play.” Payne’s departure will also mark a change for Donlon. Although their daily partnership will end, Donlon believes that Payne will thrive in the steps in his coaching career. They will also remain in touch throughout the season talking about their teams. “During the season Irv and I talk all day, everyday, so I think that’ll be a different change,” Donlon said. “I think that partnership we’ve had over the 6 years was really great but he’s ready for that next step.” </div></body>

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Coach Irvin Payne, girls’ JV basketball head coach, varsity assistant coach and JV flag football coach, has accepted the girls’ varsity basketball head coaching position at Blair High School. Payne has been a part of the WJ community for six years, coaching under girls’ varsity basketball head coach Christopher Donlon the whole time.

Payne lands head coaching job for Blair

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Coach Irvin Payne, girls’ JV basketball head coach, varsity assistant coach and JV flag football coach, has accepted the girls’ varsity basketball head coa

Payne lands head coaching job for Blair

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