We gripe about our location, the quality of our education, the food, the residence halls, campus events, the basketball team, even the lack of attractive females on campus (well, at least we did before we saw this year’s freshman class, *wink*). In 2007, the Princeton review ranked our school #7 on it’s “Least Happy Students” list, the highest St. John’s has ever ranked in any Princeton Review list.

So what is it about our school that makes students so unhappy about going here?

For those living on campus at least, a major concern is the services the department of Residence Life provides resident students.

“Residence Life should provide students with four things: Good living conditions, quality food, entertainment, and safety,” said Andrew Scott, who lives in the townhouses, “St. John’s department of Residence Life has failed in all these areas.”

As far as good living conditions are concerned, students have found many faults in the living conditions in St. John’s dorms. For Andrew Scott, these problems manifested themselves in a leaking shower, cockroaches, several leaking air conditioning units, and sprinklers without caps in what were supposed to be brand new townhouses. “There was a lack of preparation for students moving into the townhouses. The construction wasn’t finished, and you could tell they cut corners when building them.”

Faulty plumbing and air conditioners are what you can expect if you’re lucky enough to get housing in the townhouses, but what about student’s who can even manage that? Last year, with two new housing facilities opening and a host of new places to live, housing selection was a disaster.

Louis Nicosia, a Junior, was one of the many given an incorrect appointment time last year. He said: “I was told that my appointment was at 8:30 a.m., which is a great time, and when I arrived they turned me away and told me to come back at three, when most of the housing was already taken.”

As for the food Residence life provides, St. John’s also gets low marks. Montgoris’ abomination of a cafeteria is one of the most reviled things on campus.

While the low quality of the food is what angers most residents, Montgoris’ trayless Tuesday and Thursday program is especially unpopular. Chartwells, the catering service in charge of Montgoris, claims that the money it saves by not washing trays it donates to the school’s midnight run charity program. “As a coordinator for the midnight run program I can tell you that we haven’t seen a dime from Chartwells” says Andrew Scott.

While Marillac cafeteria provides an alternative to Montgoris’ food (And this writer uses food in the loosest terms, it’s more like pig swill), and extremely popular thanks to the meal exchange plan that allows students to substitute one meal under the value of $7, It’s often crowded, with little food available during peak hours and nowhere to sit. “The Meal Exchange ends at 9:30, 10 minutes before night classes end,” said Michael Keenan, “There’s a very narrow window of time dictating when you can or can’t get food.”

There’s very little complaint by most students when it comes to entertainment, however, many complain that the school hemorrhages money into campus events, neglecting more important departments. “I was at an event that was attended by about eight people, and we each went home with an entire pizza and a load of cups and bagels,” said Keenan “that’s a serious waste of money. A lot of campus events are just people giving away pizza.”

Most unpopular of all with residents is the school’s visitation policy which students just love to complain about. Computer science major Kevin Whelan puts it best: “The University justifies the visitation policy as an instrument for keeping the students safe, but I think that with the Founder’s Village Townhouses, it’s clear that the University can treat its students as adults with regards to visitation without compromising their safety.”

The general opinion on campus is that students are treated more like children under the custody and care of St. John’s university rather than tenants who ware paying thousands of dollars to reside on campus.

So what’s the verdict? Are Student’s complaints justified? Answer the poll, and comment with some more complaints:

-Mario Vergara

It’s no secret that college life is hard. Between working, socializing, networking… oh and did I say socializing, making it to class and most importantly making the grade can get complicated. So, I reached out to a few juniors (because lets face it, we still have time to make some changes if necessary) to see just how prepared they feel for the ‘real world.’

Natalia Cruz, Danielle Pena and Ivana Williams, all 20, are third year students at St. John’s who have three very different opinions about their time at STJ.

Do you think the classes you’ve taken so far have prepared you for a real career after graduation?

Danielle Pena

Danielle: Sometimes I don’t feel like I’ll be ready to teach after graduation. Some of the classes like ‘Technology in the Classroom’ stress being computer savvy while other professors tell us to focus only on the students and reserve the internet and things like that as a last resort. It can get confusing.

Natalia Cruz

Natalia: I think I’ll be ok to start when I get out. A lot of my professors are still practicing law and have a lot of experience in the field so they bring all of that back into the class. I don’t think I’ve missed out on much at all.

Ivana Williams

Ivana: No, I don’t think the courses that I’ve taken have prepared me for a career. I believe that [we] need real world experience to truly be prepared but in the classes I think that more real life situations should be applied, instead of the what’s in our outdated books.

Of the classes that you’ve taken are there any you feel you absolutely didn’t need and won’t use?

Danielle: Oh man, some of the core courses are absolutely not necessary. [she said laughing] Like DNY and my Technology in the Classroom class. One minute they’re telling us to only use the internet and things like that as a last resort but 3 credits later it’s the most important thing in the world! And don’t get me started on DNY, that class didn’t do anything for me.

Natalia: DNY was not that bad Penga! [she exclaims in reference to Danielle’s answer] It wasn’t the best class in the world but I liked it for the most part. But I think they can do away with some of the Theology requirements. My major is Criminal Justice and so far I haven’t come across one situation where that class would help. I would much rather be filling that spot with an extra Forensics or Psychology classes. Sometimes I feel like I wasted my money.

Ivana: Yea that Career Horizons class! And DNY and that music class because music isn’t even a major here. It’s not even enough to really be taught anything about music because there’s not an advanced class that comes after it.

Have you ever used the Career Center?

Danielle: I’m supposed to go there to make my portfolio but I haven’t gone yet. I heard they do really well though!

Natalia: I’ll be honest I’m scared to go into the Career Center. Because if I go in there and they make me fill out one of those personality tests I’m afraid that it’ll make me second guess myself… like about my choice of major and things like that. I don’t want to come out thinking that made the wrong choice.

Ivana: The school focuses a lot on the career center and programs,” says Ivana. But these things should be happening in our classes. Everyone can’t get to the career fair, so bring the fair to us [to the classrooms]! At least one representative.

All in all I’d say the feedback I got was pretty straight down the middle. As usual we all have our grievances but for the most part I think we’ll be ok. A combination of the suggestions each of them made (that would make STJ’s academic system better) is really what’s necessary for success. A basic knowledge of the field along with actual experience is the best way to go. Education should not end in the classroom.

- Rachel S.

Year: Senior

Major: Advertising

Lives: Brooklyn, New York

What are you going to do on graduation day?

The first thing I’m going to do is graduate, after that, I haven’t really made any plans. I might go out and eat dinner or something with my family, but I’m definitely trying to party. It’ll be one of the last days that me and my friends are all here, and it’s my last day of school, so it’s definitely reason for celebration. As for specifics, I haven’t made any plans yet, but I definitely want to do something unforgettable.

Are you sad or happy that college is over?

College was the best four years of my life. I met a million people, partied all the time, and my biggest worry was getting good grades. I know I’ll never be in a situation where I can go to class, sleep all day, and party all night for everyday of the week, so I’m obviously sad that that’s over. But I was also getting sick of going to class, and felt really bored after a while. I’m happy that it’s finally done, and I get to begin my real life.

Where are you going to live after graduation?

My family lives in Brooklyn so I commuted for all four years. When I graduate I’m going to continue living with them, and I haven’t decided when I’m going o move out yet. It depends on a couple things, mainly my job.

How long after you graduate are you going to begin searching for your job/career?

I’ve already begun searching for a job, but I haven’t formally applied anywhere. I’ll probably start putting in applications a month after I graduate.

Do you think STJ fully prepared you for life after graduation?

I did a couple internships while I was here at St. John’s and I think they adequately prepared me for the real world. One of my internships actually offered me a position after I graduate, so I feel safe entering the advertising field with the knowledge I learned at St. John’s. I had great teachers, and a lot of hands-on classes, so I feel like I learned enough to land a job. I think everybody can learn enough to confidently go into their respective workforce after graduation, they just have to be interested enough.

Andrew Fratto, 21

Year: Senior

Major: Communications

Lives: Baltimore, Maryland

What are you going to do on graduation day?

Go out with the friends I’ve made in the past four years and reminisce on all the good and bad things we’ve been through. We’re all going out during the whole last week of school, and I’m going to try and find everybody I met while I was here. It’s going to be a happy day.

Are you sad or happy that college is over?

I’m sad and scared that college is about to be over. College is so much fun, and I don’t ever want it to end. I guess I’m happy that I’m getting my diploma, but I’d trade that in to go back to freshman year and relive college all over again.

Where are you going to live after graduation?

I have no idea. First, I’m going to go back to my parents’ house and see how things go. I’ll probably live there for a little bit, until I get a steady job, or I may even buy an apartment with my girlfriend. I just have no idea right now, that’s why I’m a little scared.

How long after you graduate are you going to begin searching for your job/career?

Oh my God. Do I really have to think about that right now? I don’t even know what type of job I’m going to start searching for yet; I just have no clue on what I’m going to do when I graduate. I’ll probably start looking for something in the summer sometime; I usually work a summer job each year anyways.

Do you think STJ fully prepared you for life after graduation?

I think it would have if I came into school with a definitive plan. The four years just flew by so quick that now it feels like I didn’t learn much. I may be getting a degree, but I don’t think I’m as knowledgeable as possible in communications. I’m going in to the real world hoping to learn some more things, because I don’t know much right now.

Michelle Carbury, 21

Year: Senior

Major: Communications

Lives: Elizabeth, New Jersey

What are you going to do on graduation day?

I don’t have anything spectacular planned. My family will come up from Jersey so we’ll go out for dinner. After that, I’ll go to a few bars with my friends. But me and my friends are planning a trip to the Bahamas sometime in the summer as our graduation celebration.

Are you sad or happy that college is over?

A little bit of both. College is fun as hell, but you eventually have to move on, you can’t stay here forever.

Where are you going to live after graduation?

I rent an apartment here in Queens and the lease won’t be up until September, so I’m going to stay here a little bit and get the most out of living in New York. After that, I’m going back to my house in New Jersey and I don’t have any plans of moving out yet. Where I find a job will determine where I look for a place to live on my own. But I’m not that psyched about living by myself just yet.

How long after you graduate are you going to begin searching for your job/career?

As soon as I graduate I’m going to be looking for a career. I’m currently doing an internship here at St. Johns with Redstormsports, so I may even try to find a job with them. But if I take a month or two off, I’d like to be working around the time I would be going back to school.

Do you think STJ fully prepared you for life after graduation?

I think St. John’s prepared me to find a job in my workforce. The offered me great classes and my internships have really helped me. There were some classes and teachers at St. John’s that didn’t teach me anything, but I chose to stay away from them. I didn’t learn everything I could possibly have learned but I learned enough to make me bored of going to class everyday. I just want to get started with my life, and St. John’s did a good job preparing me to do so.

No matter what year you are in here at St. John’s, it probably only took you a little while to see the diverse opinions of the school from the student body. Many run into problems early on and form negative opinions about it. But others are able to get past that and form better opinions. And throughout one’s time here, there is a chance of getting outstanding opportunities from St. John’s.

When I came to St. John’s, I wasn’t sure of what exactly the school had to offer me other than what they stated on paper. I entered the University as a psychology major, thinking I knew exactly what I wanted to do after school. Things changed along the way, and come sophomore year, I was a journalism major. From that point on, the opportunities came.

I started writing for The Torch and after wowing my editor with my first film review, my second assignment was a little better: I would attend a press screening of Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning and subsequently interview the cast of the movie. Coming from Santa Barbara, Calif., I knew I was not going to get that same opportunity if I stayed at home and attended UC Santa Barbara. I’d get to see the celebrities that live in Santa Barbara sure, but interview them? Most likely not. After that first round of interviews, St. John’s has given me the chance to meet more celebrities: Jack Black and Kyle Gass of Tenacious D; John Cusack; Neil Patrick Harris and Kal Penn (better known as Kumar); the women of Sex and the City. Those are just some of the names.

But enough about me. I’ve talked with several students who will soon graduate from St. John’s about their unique opportunities. What I found were varied results, but one thing remained constant: St. John’s offered them fantastic opportunities that they will remember (possibly) forever.

Khem Lewis

Khem came to St. John’s from the windy streets of Chicago, Illinois. When I spoke with him, he had plenty of stories that shaped his admittedly enjoyable college years. After making some personal judgement calls on what was the best thing St. John’s offered him, he nailed it down to the friends he has made.

“Without meeting the people I did freshman year and staying in contact with them, I can honestly say that St. John’s would definitely not have been the place for me,” Khem stated. “Everything from being up for days on end to intense arguments about what exactly constitutes a sandwhich, to spring break road trips (and) passing out face down in the sand.”

The experiences he shared with this people have been what has made his college years such a phenomenal part of his life, he ended.

Dede Teteh

Dede is also from out of state, coming to St. John’s from the great state of Georgia. She too also had a mental book of stories to draw from, but one in particular from earlier this year came to mind as her personal favorite. It was the Urban Challenge in Camden, New Jersey this past spring.

“This was a weekend that I and a few student leaders went to one of the most dangerous cities in the United States and ‘lived to tell about it,’” she explained. The trip was part of the service initiative here at St. John’s.

Dede expressed her concern going into the trip. She knew very little of the area (outside of its bad reputation) and said her friends were sure to “scare the pants off of her about this community.” Her fear brought her close to stepping away from the trip, but her decision to go would not haunt her.

“This experience was one of the best experiences of my life. The people of Camden were so warm, friendly and had so much pride in the community that so many were afraid of. After spending a weekend in their community, I must say I share their love for the community and its people.”

Dede went on to say that the people acknowledged their community needs work, but proudly believe that it wil one day be loved by others the way they love it.

“Even though it’s a cliche term, I learned from this urban challenge ‘not to judge a book by its cover.’ I looked past the fear of the unknown and took a chance. I opened my heart to receive what the community of Camden had to offer.”

Laura Dondero

Laura comes from the sunny state of California, more specifically from San Diego. Her experiences couldn’t be nailed down to any specific moment from the past four years. But coming from such a dramatically different part of the United States, just the simple fact that St. John’s is such a New York City school has offered her more than she could have asked for.

She described New York City as a sort of “extended campus.” The city has offered her opportunities to expand her classroom learning. She was exposed to arts and culture, as well as the wealth of history about New York.

“Not only are these opportunities that I only have because of the fact that St. John’s is in New York, but St. John’s also makes them all accessible through the many programs and University-sponsored trips offered every semester. If I had just gone to a state school or something in California, it would have been a completley different dynamic,” she said. Had she gone to a California school, she continued, she would have spent most of her time on or around campus, because the New York-type opportunities wouldn’t exist.

Carrie Adduci

My last subject, and another Chicago native. A good amount of her time over the past few years has been dedicated to St. John’s, through service-based programs and more. She said she didn’t know what was in store for her when she started, but she has had phenomenal experiences.

The first of her two came in her time spent studying abroad during the pilot of St. John’s’ Discover the World program. The program offers students the chance to spend 15 weeks in three countries. For most that would be memorable enough, but Carrie was able to do something a little more special on January 31, 2007.

“I was able to shake the hand of Pope Benedict XVI. Every Wednesday the Holy Father gives an address at what is called a Papal Audience. St. John’s gave us tickets, so I went.”

She arrived early for a good seat and the Pope started his walk down a long aisle soon after. Carrie was lucky enough to be one of those whose hand would be shaken. “The crowd was pushing me from all sides, above and below; everyone reaching for his hand. I was surprised when he grasped my outstretched hand. I remember him stopping to look at me.”

More recently, Carrie was able to spend some time around former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Access to this was granted through Carrie’s membership in St. John’s’ President’s Society. The event: the annual Laughlin Society Reception, an event held to honor monetary donors to the University.

Mr. Blair surprised the attendees of the event, coming as the guest of James J. Schiro ’67CBA, ’95HON (a member of the St. John’s Board of Trustees). “Tony Blair was gracious enough to take a picture with the group and then shook all our hands and congratulated us on our accomplishments,” Carrie said.

Later in the evening, Carrie said Mr. Blair addressed the atendees, telling jokes from his own college days. He even included a story about coming home from Oxford wearing his mother’s old curtains. But his speech was much more than that.

“His message was one of hope. Everyone starts somewhere, and someone has to step up and be the leader – why not you? His praise of the mission of St. John’s and his general respect for the University overwhelmed me with St. John’s pride.”

With these stories, you can see St. John’s has offered people plenty of different unique opportunities. There are plenty of other stories out there, and we would love to hear yours. What’s made your years so special?

-Alex Quevedo

At first glance, Hunter College, outpaces all the other respective schools in population alone, boasting over 15, 000 students alone. STJ, Stonybrook, and Queens aren’t far behind with student populations in the tens of thousands. Hofstra differs with a population under 10,000. The winner hear goes to preference–if one likes small schools then Hofstra is the clear victor.

It should be noted that Queens College, Hunter and STJ are smack dab in the middle of city environs, while Hofstra and Stonybrook are tucked away in the ‘burbs. If you like access, then these schools aren’t it unless you have a car.  Public transportation surely gets you anywhere you need to go in the city.

Like the dorm life? Then pick Stonybrook, Hofstra or good ol’ STJ. CUNY schools offer dorms but not for everyone. (Our school has a mix; about 70 percent of the school commutes, but we all know about the housing controversy).

According to the Princeton Review, Hunter ranks high for diversity #7; Queens sits at #9– that beats us out as we sit at #17. (Last year, we were ranked one of the country’s best Northeastern Colleges. Hofstra has also been on the list once upon a time). The other two schools don’t rank, but each campus does boast a moderate mix. 

Each campus has hundreds of student organizations to choose from, however at Hunter and Queens College, you may have to try a little harder.

How much is it gonna cost?

The good news is, if you don’t mind living at home, you could put down a paltry $4,000 to attend CUNY Hunter or Queens College. Fear not, the small price is not indicative of the education…Queens College was ranked as one of Newsweek magazines 25 Hottest Schools this year. If you are a New York State resident, Stonybrook comes in at just under $13,000.
Hofstra will set mom and dad back over $30,000 a year. And we all know how much a St. John’s education will burn a hole in your pocket. Let’s see, for good measure let’s just throw it out there: $28,790 just to set your foot in the door (depending on if you are studying business or pharmacy this may change)–plus $12,570 for room and board.
Now, us St. John’s kids may be biased to our own school, therefore asking if we are the best may well be a rhetorical question. However, numbers don’t lie people. If you weren’t at St. John’s, what school would you pick?

- Good Bye for now, and enjoy the Holidays!

- Jose Silva

Well, just like all of you reading this post, I am stressing out hardcore! I got one of my finals out of the way, and got two more to go (doubtful that you really cared, but too bad, I’m telling you anyways). Now, before you go commit academic suicide, just know that the work you are doing could lead to something big in the future. Maybe even famous!

Before I did this, I walked around campus to see if I could get some influence on who the students wanted to see in the post.

“There are famous people who have graduated from St. John’s?” replied one student.

“How about Britney Spears?” replied another. (I really wish I could have made that one up)

Well, going into this, I felt the same way. Who really are some famous peeps who have graduated from our beautiful Jamaica, Queens university? Turns out, there are a pretty solid list of well respected, well-known people who have made it big out of here (alive). I could put them all down, but that would bore you, but if you are truly interested, follow this link.

For the meantime, this is a list of former St. John’s students who have found a way to make an impact on our social society over the years and even have made an impact on my life…

(please note, this list will be avoiding some of your favorite St. John’s sports athletes, such as Chris Mullin, Craig Hansen, and Mark Jackson)

Howard Schwab- Known by the sports world simply as “The Schwab”, Howard Schwab is the king of sports knowledge! A graduate back in 1982 and a communications major, he has gone on to be a coordinating producer at ESPN and, for a small period of time, was the host of his own sports trivia show, Stump The Schwab, where contestants would challenge their sports knowledge against the Schwab (he usually won). He also has a jersey retired in his name at Carnesecca, even though he never clocked into a St. John’s basketball game in his four years here.

Here he is, reppin’ us on the TV screen!

Darryl McDaniels- Rapper and one of the founding members of the group Run-D.M.C., Darryl McDaniels is also one of our graduates.  McDaniels (or more simply put D.M.C.) was a local boy who grew up Hollis, Queens. His entire childhood as surrounded around the NYC catholic school system and, once he left high school, decided to enroll at our university. While attending, he split his time between his business classes and recording. In 1984, while still attending St. John’s, McDaniels, along with fellow Run D.M.C. members Rev. Run and Jam Master Jay, recorded their first album entitled Run-D.M.C.

The rest is history. The rap group would take over the pop-culture scene with their hard-nosed lyrics and Adidas Superstars (I work for Adidas, so i figured I’d drop a name). They also pushed the bar when they crossed genres and joined together with rock group Aerosmith to record Walk This Way. To this day, the band remains one of the foremost success in the rap game and they have influenced the entire hip hop scene. McDaniels is still in the game as he prepares to drop his second solo album along with updating his autobiography King of Rock : Respect, Responsibility, and My Life with Run-DMC (being updated because he has just found out recently that he was adopted as a child).

Bruce R. Bent- Now, this man may not be as well known as the two before, but he has made a huge impact on our economic lives. Back in 1970 he, along with Henry Brown, invented the first money market fund known as The Reserve Fund. The purpose of the fund was to help establsih short-term investments in mutual funds, in order to minimize the amount of loss in credit, loss in market and lower liquidy risk. Since its invention, it has grossed over $2.2 trillion and continues to grow, even in this time of crisis.

But, before he did all of that fun stuff, he was busy cramming for his massive economic final. Bent graduated from St. John’s back in 1961 with his bachelors in economics. He would then come back in 1979 to get his honorary masters. He now sits on the board of trustee for the university. Not to mention, has a hall named in his honor (Bent Hall, just in case you needed some help).

So, you see these three graduates and probibly think to yourself  “Hey Matt, how do I know I will ever make like these super-cool kids?” Well, I can’t guarantee anything. To be honest, there is a good possibility that all of you will never make it on television, in the Wall Street Journal, or on the big screen. But, If it gives you a sense of comfort, i leave you with a quote from history professor Michael Romano.

“All of my students are famous in my mind. If you come to this university and succeed, that’s pretty famous in my mind.”

~Matt Goulet

Good luck on your finals, if you have any left; I’ll see you all tomorrow.

Graduation is coming, for some students, congratulations! It already existed in their future plan. However, for others, it may be a little more than a year away, even longer. As a senior, you probably think a same question over and over again “Where will we go from there?” Should we go and seek a job, continue our education or something else?

      St. John’s University is such a diversity university. They have students all over the world, but this diversity also caused another big issue. Yaqi Zhang, a Finance major student from China will graduate in May 2009 from St. John’s. She said, “I am very nervous about the possibility of having to leave America if I don’t receive and H-1B [work] visa.”

This is the data from 2007 to our most recent in St. John’s University:  

1. After graduation

         75% of the graduates were employed at the time of the survey

         19% are furthering their education

         6% are still seeking employment

         <1% have either relocated or are not looking for employment.

 2. Of those that are employed, there are working in the following fields

         30% are working in the field of education

         20% are working in the field of accounting

         15% are working in the health care field

         13% are working in the field of business/industry

         9% are working in the field of law of government

         4% are working in the field of communication

         3% are working in the field of non-profit/ministry

         >1% are self-employed

         6% = other

 3. Of the graduates furthering their education, they are in the following fields

         22% are getting a degree in business

         20% are getting a degree in education

         15% are getting a degree in some type of science

         12% are getting a degree in law

         10% are getting a degree in the liberal arts

         4% are getting a degree in the field of health care

         4% are getting a degree in theology

         3% are getting a degree in medicine

         10% = other

By a great honor, I interviewed a former student and a former coach at St. John’s University, Lou Carnesecca.  He led the Redmen’s basketball program to 526 wins and 200 losses over 24 seasons. He is known as a basketball legend.

       He was born January 5, 1925 in New York City, and graduated in 1950. During his coaching career, his colorful name “Looie”, team reached the playoffs in every season he coached, including a Final Four appearance in 1985. He was selected as the National Coach of the Year in 1983 and 1985 by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association.

 “I was lost when I got that reward,” he said. Furthermore, he confessed that it is a great feeling to be included among those coaches he used to dream about. However, as he points out, without the players, one cannot achieve what he has achieved.

Carnesecca is widely known for his sense of humor and his signature sweaters. He was once asked if he was stranded on an island, what would he carry with him. He responded that he would take himself. His reply was humorous. Carnesecca always acknowledged the importance of humor. He felt that it is not only important for an individual but also for the people who are around him, as it makes them feel good and makes them laugh.

After he graduated from St. John’s, he also coached his high school alma mater, St. Ann’s (now academic and athletic powerhouse Archbishop Molloy High School), where he was succeeded by Jack Curran. Carnesecca also coached the New York Nets of the defunct American Basketball Association in the early 1970s, when they were playing in Island Garden in West Hempstead, New York (on Long Island. They are now the NBA‘s New Jersey Nets). In addition, he was a longtime announcer for the USA Network‘s coverage of the yearly NBA drafts of the 1980s.Carnesecca was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992, and the Century Hall 101 Hall of Fame in 2007. The greatest honor in November 2004, St. John’s University officially dedicated and renamed the historic Alumni Hall to Carnesecca Arena.

What a great work experience!

Even after retirement, Carnesecca still works in St. John’s. Everyday he will be in his office on time, trying to answer as many calls as possible as his phone keeps on ringing the entire day . He is extremely busy the whole day long, and jokes “Don’t they think my office is 42nd street?”  As he is holding the phone, it is not hard to see that a big shining ring on his finger, which came from 1992. “It is very important for me, and I have never taken it off since I got it.”

Carnesecca said that his parents influenced his life the most. Since he was a little kid, his mother and father, they gave him a formal education even though they weren’t well educated. “Most of my ideology and principles of life came from my parents. My father taught me three things: to be there, don’t have short arms and helping people.”

As a person, Carnesecca is a helpful person. He always likes to help others, and he even said that he thinks he would have been doctor if he wasn’t a coach. “I have a good feeling, a very good feeling about that job because one is helping people and is a hope. I would have loved to be a hope for someone.”

As a coach, he thinks that technically there has to be a balance between offense and defense. “You can’t be all defense and can’t be all offense,” he asserted. He thinks that one has to allow the players to express themselves, also try to place the players in an area where they can express themselves. “Remember, one cannot be soul,” he emphasized. “We should put players in a situation where they are able to show the capabilities and where they are able to use all of their qualities; help them.”

“If God could make me three dreams come true, I would pray to God to give me good health, a little bit of happiness and the ability to be a good fellow so that I could be helpful to people,” he said. His wishes are nothing spectacular, nothing great, just to be a better fellow and be in good company.

      As a husband, family is the most important thing for him. “I probably have been neglectful because I was so focused, so narrow, and always thinking about basketball and baseball,” he said and his face was turning red. “Many times, I wasn’t, I wouldn’t say caring, but I didn’t do as much I should have done for my family even when I was home. Sometimes, Mary [his wife] would prepare the meal and start talking to me about the things of the day, but my mind was 6,000 miles away, thinking about a fellow who doesn’t get the free balls. I feel I wasn’t there for my family, particularly for my wife.  Although I was neglectful in many ways, we have been married for 57 years so she has got to be a saint.”

“There are a lot of things I could have done better, like I said; I wish I would have been more aware of my family. They are a big part of me,” he said with a sparkle in his eyes. “Age teaches you that.”

The wall of his office is hanging all over the pictures and award from his history, people can tell his stories by only watching the wall. There is a poem on the wall of his office got people’s eyes:

“Coach”

A great coaching era has come to an end

For a man know as Louie better known as a friend

Who regardless of the score told each man to stand tall

Your presence will forever be at Alumni Hall

For when it came down to coaching there was never one better

He had style and he had flare… well except for his sweaters

He grew wiser and more clever as each your would pass

And even in defeat coach always showed class

No excuses or finger pointing or tricks of the mind

Just some words of encouragement like “We’ll get them next time”

You’d seemingly produce magic when they expected the least

And you helped give birth to a conference called the Big East

With your energy and vigor we hoped you’d never step down

From your stage called the bench where you lit up this town

It was truly an honor to be part of your team

You helped me to grow and realize my dream

For you this was special more than awards on a shelf

But your accomplishments are endless your record speak for itself

Many came and fell from the coaching ranks

Yet you were a constant and for this we say thanks

So here you stand as a giant with respect from your peers

On this joyous occasion with no place for tears

I wish you the best in all lifes endeavors

And the legacy of Lou Carnesecca will live on forever!

By Mark A. Jackson

I was in the middle of procrastination and needed to watch a new youtube video. My friend got me onto this one, and I haven’t been able to stop laughing since…

(Viewer Discretion is advised.)

~Matt Goulet