The basketball teams at St. John's University will pay tribute to the late Hall of Fame coach Lou Carnesecca by wearing “Lou” patches on their jerseys for the remainder of the season. Carnesecca, who passed away at the age of 99, will be honored with various events and gestures by the university.
A funeral mass for Carnesecca will be held at St. Thomas More Church on the Queens campus this Friday. Additionally, the university's athletic department will host “A Tribute to Coach Carnesecca” during upcoming men's and women's basketball games at the arena named after him.
The men's team, led by coach Rick Pitino, is scheduled to play against Kansas State as part of the Big 12-Big East Battle on Saturday. The women's team will face Wake Forest on Sunday.
In remembrance of Carnesecca, his designated seat at the arena will be left empty. Both games will feature a video tribute and a moment of silence, along with a commemorative decal on the court. Players will wear “526” shooting shirts to commemorate his impressive career win total.
St. John's plans to honor Carnesecca's life and legacy with digital billboards on major expressways. As the winningest coach in the men's program history, Carnesecca achieved a record of 526-200 during his tenure from 1965 to 1992. He led the team to five Big East titles, 18 NCAA Tournament appearances, and a Final Four appearance in 1985.
The university will celebrate Lou Carnesecca Day on January 4, coinciding with a game against Butler, a day before what would have been his 100th birthday.
