2008 Woodie Awards
St. John's remembers...
St. John's hosts 100 Years of Basketball Symposium
Deborah N. Harris, Staff Writer
Issue date: 12/6/07 Section: Torch Online Exclusives
More than 150 coaches, players, managers, trainers and fans from eras past and present united on Dec. 15 for a three-panel discussion, enjoying a free exchange of memories and successes on the hardwood throughout the history of St. John's men's basketball at the 100 Years of Basketball Symposium.
Athletic Director Chris Monasch commenced the event with a welcome to all and restated some features of the year-long celebration. He disclosed the date of the 100th Anniversary Gala to be held on March 7, where a 25-member All-Century Team will be honored. He also made mention of the Anniversary Game against West Virginia at Madison Square Garden on March 8.
Associated Press sports writer Jim O'Connell, who is also the author of the St. John's basketball commemorative coffee table book, gave the introductory remarks on the exciting "rollercoaster ride" he has been on since he joined the St. John's family. O'Connell took the audience on a trip through the program's first win over Adelphi in 1908, the 1910-11 Helms Foundation Championship (St. John's first national achievement), the 1927-1931 "Wonder Five" who went on a 88-8 record in four seasons under head coach James "Buck" Freeman, and the many triumphs under legendary coaches Joe Lapchick and Lou Carnesecca.
"I'm going to stay on that ride for as long as I can," O'Connell vowed.
The symposium was split into three categories: "The Early Years," "Classic Times," and "The Modern Era." Guests on the panel included popular basketball alumni Dick McGuire (1943-49), Bill Shea (1944-45), Gerry Houston (1962-65), Mel Davis (1970-72), Frank Alagia (1972-1976), Tarik Turner (1994-98) and of course legendary head coach Lou Carnesecca.
The event was moderated by Phil Pepe, a New York sports reporter for five decades, who worked for such publications as the New York Daily News. The first panel "The Early Years" was comprised of Tom Tolan, Bill Shea, a former team manager Jack Griffin, and Dick McGuire. The panel discussed how big collegiate basketball was in the city that, at times, college games took place at Madison Square Garden, while professional basketball games had to be moved to the 69th street Regiment Armory. Each also recalled fond memories of the head coaches of their day: Frank McGuire and Joe Lapchick.
Athletic Director Chris Monasch commenced the event with a welcome to all and restated some features of the year-long celebration. He disclosed the date of the 100th Anniversary Gala to be held on March 7, where a 25-member All-Century Team will be honored. He also made mention of the Anniversary Game against West Virginia at Madison Square Garden on March 8.
Associated Press sports writer Jim O'Connell, who is also the author of the St. John's basketball commemorative coffee table book, gave the introductory remarks on the exciting "rollercoaster ride" he has been on since he joined the St. John's family. O'Connell took the audience on a trip through the program's first win over Adelphi in 1908, the 1910-11 Helms Foundation Championship (St. John's first national achievement), the 1927-1931 "Wonder Five" who went on a 88-8 record in four seasons under head coach James "Buck" Freeman, and the many triumphs under legendary coaches Joe Lapchick and Lou Carnesecca.
"I'm going to stay on that ride for as long as I can," O'Connell vowed.
The symposium was split into three categories: "The Early Years," "Classic Times," and "The Modern Era." Guests on the panel included popular basketball alumni Dick McGuire (1943-49), Bill Shea (1944-45), Gerry Houston (1962-65), Mel Davis (1970-72), Frank Alagia (1972-1976), Tarik Turner (1994-98) and of course legendary head coach Lou Carnesecca.
The event was moderated by Phil Pepe, a New York sports reporter for five decades, who worked for such publications as the New York Daily News. The first panel "The Early Years" was comprised of Tom Tolan, Bill Shea, a former team manager Jack Griffin, and Dick McGuire. The panel discussed how big collegiate basketball was in the city that, at times, college games took place at Madison Square Garden, while professional basketball games had to be moved to the 69th street Regiment Armory. Each also recalled fond memories of the head coaches of their day: Frank McGuire and Joe Lapchick.
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