2008 Woodie Awards
King's Court
Christopher King, Sports Editor
Issue date: 6/23/07Section: Editor Columns
St. John's has a rich sporting history, dating over 100 years and encompassing a wide array of athletics. The university is often associated with basketball, and rightfully so, boasting the fifth most wins in NCAA men's basketball history.
However St. John's sporting excellence is much more broad than just basketball, and fans should keep an eye out no matter what the season is.
The men's soccer team has been a national powerhouse for two decades, winning the national championship in 1996, the seventh title in the program's history.
The program continued its unparalleled success well into the new millennium, continuing a streak of 15 consecutive years of making the NCAA Tournament. Looking to repeat the success of the 1996 season, the Johnnies made the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament in 2004 and 2005 before falling to Maryland in both matches.
Eleven players who are St. John's alumni are currently playing professional soccer around the world, while many other retired professionals are former Johnnies.
St. John's fencing has also been a force to be reckoned with in recent years, taking second place at the NCAA Tournament in 2006-07, boasting a national ranking for much of the season.
The program has been led by Ben Bratton for the men's squad and Dagmara Wozniak for the women, both of whom are world class fencers who, even at their young ages, have made a significant impact on the world fencing scene.
Volleyball had its most successful year in the programs history in 2006, achieving milestones and breaking many school records along the way. For the first time in St. John's volleyball history, the team cracked the nations Top 25 teams, getting as high as No. 24.
Although the Red Storm were ousted by Notre Dame in the semifinals of the Big East Tournament, head coach Joanne Persico-Smith earned Big East Coach of the Year honors.
The Johnnies also earned their first NCAA Tournament bid, defeating Albany in the first round. St. John's season would end with a hard fought loss to No. 9 Minnesota by a score of 3-2.
However St. John's sporting excellence is much more broad than just basketball, and fans should keep an eye out no matter what the season is.
The men's soccer team has been a national powerhouse for two decades, winning the national championship in 1996, the seventh title in the program's history.
The program continued its unparalleled success well into the new millennium, continuing a streak of 15 consecutive years of making the NCAA Tournament. Looking to repeat the success of the 1996 season, the Johnnies made the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament in 2004 and 2005 before falling to Maryland in both matches.
Eleven players who are St. John's alumni are currently playing professional soccer around the world, while many other retired professionals are former Johnnies.
St. John's fencing has also been a force to be reckoned with in recent years, taking second place at the NCAA Tournament in 2006-07, boasting a national ranking for much of the season.
The program has been led by Ben Bratton for the men's squad and Dagmara Wozniak for the women, both of whom are world class fencers who, even at their young ages, have made a significant impact on the world fencing scene.
Volleyball had its most successful year in the programs history in 2006, achieving milestones and breaking many school records along the way. For the first time in St. John's volleyball history, the team cracked the nations Top 25 teams, getting as high as No. 24.
Although the Red Storm were ousted by Notre Dame in the semifinals of the Big East Tournament, head coach Joanne Persico-Smith earned Big East Coach of the Year honors.
The Johnnies also earned their first NCAA Tournament bid, defeating Albany in the first round. St. John's season would end with a hard fought loss to No. 9 Minnesota by a score of 3-2.
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kathy
posted 7/16/07 @ 5:57 PM NA
SJU also had great traditions in club sports such as crew, rugby and even sailing!! They also were well-represented in men's water polo. It is a pity SJU has dropped out of the inter-collegiate competitions in these sports; even at the club level, it was nice to see SJU with the other schools. (Continued…)
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