Did you know? Mascots

In 1994 St. John’s was pressured to change its nickname because American Indian groups felt Redmen was a slur on their heritage. A University committee, headed by Lou Caresecca, was established in November of ’93 to review nickname changes, and in June of ’94, after finishing the worst basketball season in 31 years, Carnesecca held a news conference announcing the school’s new nickname and logo. After faculty, alumini and students were polled, Redstorm was agreed upon as the new nickname. The University says the nickname is here to stay, saying it represents an uprising.

The Redmen was said to have originated from the red uniforms the football team used to wear, but its logo definately suggested otherwise.

-Jonnathan Coleman

Did you know?

Two St. John’s basketball players were arrested in 1961 after authorities found they had fixed games in the ’50s in one of the biggest point-shaving scandals in sports history. Mike Parenti and William Chrystal were arrested for cooperating with the mastermind of the scandal, Jack Molinas, to throw games. Parenti was the leading scorer for the 1956 season and holds the 7th place for all-time season scoring leaders in St. John’s history.

A 1954 New York Times article headlined, “St. John’s to rely on Parenti and Chrystal for successful basketball season” quoted Coach Al (Dusty) De Stefano as saying, “A lot will depend on a couple of our sophomores, namely Mike Parenti, 6-foot 7-inch sophomore center, and Bill Chrystal, 6-foot 5-inch lad.”

They went 11-9 that season and Parenti and Chrystal led the team in scoring.

 

-Jonnathan Coleman