Students Celebrate Red Storm Win at Spirited Watch Party

Red Storm spirit percolated throughout the Sodano Coffee House in the D’Angelo Center on March 20 as St. John’s University students joined to watch the Red Storm defeat Omaha, 83–53, in the opening round of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Tournament.

More than 150 students gathered to enjoy pizza and cheer on the Red Storm, 31–4 and seeded second in the West Region, believing the best way to celebrate the team’s historic season and first NCAA Tournament game since 2019 was to do it together.

“We are one community, and it is great that we all come together and support this team,” said sophomore Accounting student Rebecca Rogers, who lives on the Queens, NY, campus. “This team is so exciting, and they play off each other so well.”    

“We are all proud to be St. John’s students,” added Adil Islam, also a sophomore Accounting major. “To have this team enjoy so much success is really incredible, and it is great to enjoy it together.”

The March 20 watch party was the second of the week for St. John’s students, who also gathered on March 16 for the NCAA Tournament Selection Show, where the Red Storm learned they were heading to Providence, RI, to play Omaha. A similar watch party is planned for the Saturday, March 22, game against 10th-seeded Arkansas.  

News crews from local television stations were present throughout the broadcast to capture the enthusiasm. CBS2 NY broadcast live from the D’Angelo Center during the postgame with the St. John’s victory as the lead story of the late night news.

Student watch parties are expected to continue in the D’Angelo Center for as long as the Red Storm advances. Students at the March 20 watch party expected the fun to continue through at least the Final Four.

“I did not think we could be this good this quickly,” senior Criminal Justice student Rian Finney said. “I thought I would be an alumnus, so it is incredible to experience this as a student. The way they defend and hustle after every loose ball—and we get the highlight-film plays every once in a while.”

As Rian made that point, RJ Luis Jr. completed a high-flying dunk that brought the crowd—in Providence and in the D’Angelo Center—to its feet. A high-fiving Johnny Thunderbird made his way through the gallery and junior Brandon Cosby, a member of the executive board of the student spirit organization Red Zone, led chants of “Let’s Go, Johnnies.”

Brandon, who usually leads his cheers at Madison Square Garden (MSG) or Carnesecca Arena, said it was no different revving up the crowd in the smaller confines of the coffee house.

“Whether I am in MSG, Carnesecca, or here, it is all the same,” Brandon said. “As the team has enjoyed more success, the students have become more engaged at the games. It is never hard to get them going.”                   

The Red Storm started slowly against Omaha, trailing, 7–0 early in the game. But any uneasiness felt by the student fans was soon erased; St. John’s led 33–28 at halftime before exploding for 50 points in the second half.

As students left the coffee house, they carried the enthusiasm back to the Residence Village.

“Walking into and out of Donovan Hall, you could see everyone was getting ready to watch the game,” first-year Psychology student Erin Daur said. “This has really brought the community together.”

“It has become a New York experience,” added first-year Finance student Karolina Karwaa, who also lives in Donovan Hall.      

Sophomore Marketing student Amanda Calamin was never worried, even as the Red Storm trailed. She noted how The Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon has celebrated the Red Storm, and even picked them to win it all in his personal bracket.   

“The turnaround has been so exciting, and I think they will go far in the tournament,” Amanda said. “They have the Jimmy Fallon blessing.”