June 11, 2008
More than 300 legends, fans, alumni and
friends honor a century of success at the New York Athletic
Club
The year-long celebration of St. John’s University’s basketball
centennial finished with a flourish at the
100 Years of St. John’s Basketball Banquet on Tuesday night in
Manhattan. More than 300 former players, coaches, fans, alumni and
friends packed the New York Athletic Club at Central Park South to
honor a century of hardwood success, and pay homage to St. John’s
50-man All-Century team.
Photo Gallery
Bruce Beck of WNBC-4 served as the Master of Ceremonies for the
evening, and along with Jim O’Connell, a St. John’s alum and the
national college basketball writer for The Associated
Press, recapped “The Early Years” (1907-08 to 1939-40), the
“Classic Times” (1940-41 to 1972-73) and “The Modern Era” (1973-74
to 2006-07) of St. John’s basketball. Beck also gave a rundown of
the All-Century team members from each era, many of which were on
hand to receive thunderous applause from fans across the ages –
especially Jack “Dutch” Garfinkel (1938-41), who represented the
legends from The Early Years.
“What a wonderful evening,” said Hall of Fame Coach Lou
Carnesecca, who spoke to the assembled crowd and shared reflections
from a 60-plus year association with St. John’s University and its
basketball program. “There was so much love in the room, you could
really feel it.”
“It was an evening that everyone in attendance will always
remember. The 50 gentlemen on the All-Century team have contributed
so much to our program’s legacy. Last night was a most fitting
tribute to their accomplishments,” said St. John’s Director of
Athletics Chris Monasch.
Three-time NBA World Champion Bill Wennington, who starred on
the hardwood for the Redmen from 1981-85, represented St. John’s
long list of distinguished letterwinners by thanking the coaches,
administrators and fans for contributing to their outstanding
collegiate experiences. Other speakers included Monasch, head men’s
basketball coach Norm Roberts and University President Rev. Donald J.
Harrington, C.M., who praised the successful efforts of
players, coaches, administrators and fans from St. John’s first
century of basketball, and also spoke about the program’s current
direction and bright future.
Over the course of the 2007-08 season, fans from every era were
invited to relive the rich and storied tradition of the St. John’s
basketball program. In-game ceremonies were held throughout the
season feting STJ Hall of Famers, Haggerty Award Winners, Final
Four participants, All-Americans, BIG EAST and ECAC champions, and
former team managers and support staff. A Dec. 15 symposium took
place where many St. John’s legends were on hand to discuss some of
the all-time greatest squads, games and athletes. Carnesecca rang
the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange on March 4 in honor
of the centennial celebration.
Throughout the year at Madison Square Garden, fans were treated
to Gardenvision vignettes capturing the three eras of St. John’s
basketball. The full-length documentary celebrating the three eras
of St. John’s basketball debuted on Tuesday at the 100 Years of
Basketball Banquet.
Also making its first appearance at the centennial banquet was
the 100 Years of Basketball coffee table book. Authored and
complied by O’Connell and Paul Montella, the full-color,
hard-covered book features 200 pages of anecdotes, rarely-seen
photos and historical data spanning a century’s worth of success. A
definitive compilation put together for the STJ hardwood
centennial, it is a “must have” for every fan of St. John’s
basketball. Fans can order online via the Publications Store at
RedStormSports.com, and should expect 3-4 weeks for delivery.
A dedicated 100th Anniversary Website was launched on
RedStormSports.com, where all can find information on the legendary
teams, athletes, coaches and moments spanning program history. Fans
were also able to vote online for St. John’s “All-Century Team,”
and more than 1,000 ballots were cast over the course of the
season.
More than 10,000 fans took home basketball centennial posters
following the Red Storm’s March 8 overtime thriller vs. West
Virginia at the Garden, and more than 1,000 supporters received
100th Anniversary desktop ornaments following St. John’s 65-62 home
win over Seton Hall on March 1.
Proceeds from the year-long celebration of 100 Years of St.
John’s Basketball benefit the Carnesecca Initiative. Headed by
former St. John’s All-American and longtime NBA star Mel Davis, the
Carnesecca Initiative is the University’s major fundraising venture
to support the renovations of Carnesecca Arena. Early leadership
gift commitments have helped to move the first phases of the
renovations forward and additional gifts will be needed to complete
the full vision. For information about upcoming Carnesecca
Initiative events, naming opportunities in the new Carnesecca
Arena, or to make a donation, please contact Davis at (718)
990-2374 or by e-mail at davism1@stjohns.edu.
One of the storied programs in the history of men’s collegiate
basketball, St. John’s concluded its first century as the seventh
all-time winningest program in the NCAA Division I record book with
1,659 wins and 831 losses. The school’s .666 winning percentage
ranks ninth all-time in NCAA history, while St. John’s 26 all-time
NCAA Tournament appearances ties for 13th. The program’s 26 NIT
appearances and five titles are unprecedented. Helms Foundation
national champions following the 1910-11 season, St. John’s
appeared in NCAA Final Fours in 1952 and 1985. The program boasts
11 consensus All-Americans, 59 NBA Draft choices and 43 players
that have scored 1,000 career points or more.