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Carnesecca to Host Golf Classic to Benefit SJU Arena
BY BERNIE BEGLANE
Lou Carnesecca readily admits that he is not a good golfer — he has played only nine holes in his entire life — but that is not stopping him from hosting a tournament.
The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame coach from St. John’s University will be in the spotlight on May 12 at the North Hempstead Country Club, Manhasset.
That is when the Lou Carnesecca Golf Classic makes its debut. All proceeds will go toward the refurbishing of Carnesecca Arena.
Lou Carnesecca in his office
Mel Davis, a winner of the Haggerty Memorial Trophy as the top collegian while playing for the Vincentian Fathers’ school, is chairman.
Rick Barry, who played for Carnesecca when Little Looie left his alma mater for three seasons to coach the New York Nets in the old American Basketball Association, is expected to be on hand.
As is Willis Reed, the former New York Knick who was an assistant coach to Carnesecca when Lou returned to his alma mater.
“There will be many of my players returning, too,” stated Lou.
Asked about his one round of golf, Carnesecca laughed and then explained, “When I coached the Nets, Fritz Massmann (the team’s trainer who is now deceased) and myself went to a course in San Diego to play a round.
“At the end of nine holes I had a 138. Fritz said, ‘Let’s get out of here.’ I agreed, picked up my ball and have never gone back to any course any place.
“Give me credit, though, for being smart enough to know that I was not a good golfer.”
For more details, contact Mel Davis, SJU’s director of Leadership Gifts Carnesecca Initiative, 718-990-2374 or davism1@stjohns.edu.
Roberts Will Return to Coach SJU’s Red Storm Basketball Team Next Season
Norm Roberts will return next season to coach St. John’s University basketball team.
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Norm Roberts |
Chris Monasch, athletic director of the Red Storm, made that quite clear on the eve of last Saturday’s 65-62 Big East Conference victory over Seton Hall at Carnesecca Arena.
“At the conclusion of the season we will talk about even extending his contract,” stated Monasch.
“We think Norm is the right person for the job. He has been successful in what we asked him to do initially…restore the integrity of the program.
“No question, we would like to win more, but we knew heading into the season we would take a step back.”
Storm’s Losing Streak
After a winning season last year and qualifying for the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden, the Red Storm has slipped to 11-17 overall and 5-11 in the conference. This with a squad that includes one senior, two juniors, one sophomore and eight first-year players.
For them there probably won’t be a Big East Tournament, which runs from March 12-15 at Madison Square Garden.
The five-game losing streak prior to Seton Hall has made a return to the tournament unlikely and led to speculation among some of the writers who cover St. John’s that Roberts would not complete the five-year contract he signed in April, 2004.
Dispelling Rumors
For that reason and the fact that potential recruits might be wary of a change, Monasch said he wanted to make a public statement after consulting with the Rev. Donald Harrington, C.M., president of St. John’s.
“My expectation and hope is that he will be here for the long term.”
Roberts was hired after nine years as an assistant at Oral Roberts, Tulsa, Illinois and Kansas.
He said he never doubted the administration’s commitment to him and his staff after they assumed control of a program scarred by scandal and NCAA violations.
Holy Cross Knights Earn College Football Scholarships
Football coach Tom Pugh from Holy Cross High School, Flushing, congratulates seniors Darryl Whiting and Antonio Carter who signed their acceptances for football scholarships on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 6.
Whiting earned a full scholarship to Fordham University, Rose Hill, this fall. His classmate and teammate, Carter, earned a full scholarship to Southern Connecticut State University. Holy Cross Principal Joseph Giannuzzi and Pugh with Darryl Whiting at left. Giannuzzi and Pugh also joined Carter as he signed on the dotted line under the watchful eyes of dad Antonio and mom Samantha.
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