The 60-year-old Allen started his career at Brooklyn International in 1998. “I was there for the first graduating class,” he said, “The school opened in ’94.”
And he took over coaching the cricket team in 2010. “I knew absolutely nothing about the sport when I started,” he said, “Now, it’s my favorite.”
Allen says Lorna Austin, Bassett Thompson and Ricky Kissoon were the founders of PSAL cricket back in 2008. “It is because of them, students in New York City have been able to play interscholastic cricket for 16 years,” Allen said.
Austin serves as administration executive assistant for the New York City School system, and Thompson and Kissoon are cricket commissioner and assistant cricket commissioner, respectively.
In 2009 Brooklyn International joined the PSAL Cricket program through the efforts of Scott Jackson, recalls Allen. “He (Jackson) was a longtime humanities teacher at the school,” Allen said.
Paul Allen, the physical education instructor, took over as coach — and on three different occasions brought the Buckeyes to the PSAL semifinals.
“If we qualify for the playoffs this year, I will consider it a successful season. We have some good players and a lot of enthusiasm, but probably not enough talent to get to another semifinal,” the coach noted.
Most of the International squad has been comprised of students from Bangladesh and, to a lesser extent, Pakistan, says Allen.
In fact, Brooklyn International High School at 49 Flatbush Avenue Extension is comprised of immigrants, and English is a second language for the students. “You must be in the country four years or less to qualify for admission to International,” Allen said.
The mission of Brooklyn International High Schol is to help English Language Learners (ELLs) develop their language, intellectual, cultural and collaborative abilities so that they may become active participants in today’s independent world.
“We strive to help every student reach his or her…
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