Faculty Still in Search of Transparency
Mitchell Petit-Frere, Managing Editor
May 8, 2013
Rev. Donald J. Harrington’s decision to retire as President of the University has not diminished the University faculty’s pursuit for transparency concerning the Board of Trustees’ ongoing investigation involving the roles of Harrington and his chief of staff, Robert Wile, in the Cecilia... Read More
If You Do One Thing, Study Abroad
Mitchell Petit-Frere, Managing Editor
May 2, 2013
Most of us need both our hands and feet to count all the things we wish we could change at St. John’s. Whether it’s WiFi, sign-in policies, or the unavoidable shudder from stepping foot into Marillac, we all have our personal opinions concerning what needs to be reformed on campus. But... Read More
Petition to Remove Peter King Circulates
Mitchell Petit-Frere, Managing Editor
April 24, 2013
Since Rep. Peter King was named Queens campus commencement speaker on April 15, there has been a substantial amount of student backlash. A petition asking to replace King as speaker was created on April 16 by seniors Jonaki Singh and Josephine Marescot – it has garnered 1,100 signatures since... Read More
Coolidge Apartments lease not renewed
Mitchell Petit-Frere, Managing Editor
April 10, 2013
The University is terminating its lease with the Coolidge apartments next semester, according to an e-mail sent out by the Director of Residence Life to resident students last month The news came two weeks after the announcement of the University’s intent to sell the Manhattan campus. “We... Read More
Mitch’s Pitch: A Little Respect: S’il Vous Plait
Mitchell Petit-Frere, Sports Editor
March 20, 2013
It’s my last week as sports editor. I have mixed feelings, but I won’t get into those because you could probably care less about how I feel. However, you should know that I’m not the only one with conflicted thoughts right now. The St. John’s athletic community, at this very moment,... Read More
Rev. James Maher, C.M. named President of Niagara University
Mitchell Petit-Frere, Sports Editor
March 20, 2013
Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., vice president for mission and student services was named the 26th President of Niagara University on March 13. Maher has been tenured at St. John’s since 1990, serving as campus minister to the department of athletics, vice president of University ministry, vice... Read More
Mitch’s Pitch: Keep on Dreaming, St. John’s
Mitchell Petit-Frere, Sports Editor
March 13, 2013
If you have about five minutes of free time, keep reading. If not, come back a little later because I’m about to take you on a fantasy ride. It’s March 16 and you’re at Madison Square Garden, screaming your heart out in the St. John’s student section as your beloved Johnnies face off... Read More
Mitch’s Pitch: The Quest For Three Has Commenced
Mitchell Petit-Frere, Sports Editor
February 20, 2013
I’m willing to bet a Manchester United jersey that I’m the lone sports editor in the history of the Torch that finds more joy covering men’s soccer than men’s basketball. No offense, coach Lavin, but soccer is my passion. While you were up late studying film from the Louisville game,... Read More
Lavin return TBA
Mitchell Petit-Frere, Sports Editor
February 13, 2013
Steve Lavin’s return to the sidelines in the wake of his father’s, Albert “Cap” Lavn’s death, will will be announced in the coming days, according to a press release. Lavin wasn’t present on the sidelines at the Carrier Dome this past weekend, as he traveled home to San Francisco... Read More
Pushing through adversity
Mitchell Petit-Frere, Sports Editor
February 13, 2013
Steve Lavin probably wanted the NYC media to focus on the positives that could be taken away from his team’s loss to Syracuse at the Carrier Dome this past Sunday. He’d want journalists to concentrate on how the young Johnnies stuck with a top-10 team in a hostile environment for a decent... Read More
Athlete’s Worst Nightmare
Mitchell Petit-Frere, Sports Editor
January 23, 2013
Whether you call it earning an income or gettin’ guap [right now], money is the motive in this world. Considering this, imagine if your salary depended solely on your body’s physical performance…No really, take a second and imagine… instead of working 9-5’s in a cubicle, you’d be... Read More
Making Serious Strides
Mitchell Petit-Frere, Sports Editor
December 5, 2012
There’s a copious amount of basketball content in this issue of the Torch, and being that it’s our last issue of the semester, I think it’s fitting that we leave you with a sports section that will serve as the perfect segway into what you should expect for most of the spring semester... Read More
Cross-Country Lends A Hand
Mitchell Petit-Frere, Sports Editor
November 14, 2012
The strength of the pack that is the St. John’s cross country team has been more than apparent the past couple of weeks. Senior Michelle Duffy, a veteran member of the team, founded a fundraiser called the St. John’s Hurricane Sandy Relief, which is an effort to collect items for victims... Read More
A Game That Heals
Mitchell Petit-Frere, Sports Editor
November 14, 2012
Sports uplift people. It’s a fact. After a natural disaster, a tragedy, or any other event that brings emotional pain to one’s life, sports always finds a way to soothe a victim’s emotional stress. Don’t believe me? Ask a New Yorker who was at Shea for Mike Piazza’s home run 10 days... Read More
What’s next in Congress
Mitchell Petit-Frere, Sports Editor
November 7, 2012
As citizens of the United States arose from a short nights sleep on the morning after Election Day, none could point to a great deal of change in Washington — the House of Representatives remains in the control of Republicans, Democrats continue to hold the majority in the Senate and Barack... Read More
Focus Turns To NCAA After BIg East Tourney Defeat
Mitchell Petit-Frere, Sports Editor
November 4, 2012
There will be no celebration at Red Bull Arena this year as the No. 13/24 St. John’s men’s soccer team crashed out of the Big East tournament at the quarterfinal stage Saturday after losing to No. 4/6 Georgetown 2-1. An early second half penalty from sophomore defender Tim Parker gave... Read More
Honored Alumni Spark Nostalgia
Mitchell Petit-Frere, Sports Editor
October 3, 2012
The timing of the St. John’s women’s soccer team’s first conference win of the season, a 1-0 victory over Rutgers on Sept. 28 at Belson Stadium couldn’t have been better. A number of former Red Storm players watched the Johnnies victory over their New Jersey rivals from the VIP seats... Read More
Score One To The Beautiful Game
Mitchell Petit-Frere, Sports Editor
October 3, 2012
A couple of weeks ago, I went to my first NFL game, and being the incredibly passionate sports fan I am, it’s quite surprising that it took me 20 years to find my way into the stadium of a professional football team on a Sunday afternoon. With that said, I went to an Eagles-Ravens game in... Read More
Keegan Storms the Ryder Cup
Mitchell Petit-Frere, Sports Editor
October 3, 2012
The 39th Ryder Cup will go down in history for a number of reasons, the biggest being the United States’ collapse on the final day at Medinah Country Club, blowing a 10-6 lead to team Europe, who eventually won 14 ½ to 13 ½. However, St. John’s University will remember this year’s Ryder... Read More
RedZone Supporters Trek to UConn
Mitchell Petit-Frere, Sports Editor
September 26, 2012
Imagine stepping onto a field with more than 5,000 people watching you. It’s 7 p.m. and you’re playing under the lights. You’re used to a fierce home crowd, but this is as hostile as a college soccer stadium gets. The team you’re about to face is one of your fiercest rivals. They’re... Read More
Hanging With the Best
Mitchell Petit-Frere, Sports Editor
September 18, 2012
In the first game of the University of Akron Tournament, the then No. 10 St. John’s men’s soccer team played to a 0-0 draw with the then No. 9 Akron Friday night in a match that was nationally televised on Fox Soccer Channel. The Red Storm (5-0-2) kept its composure in front of a crowd... Read More
Interchangeable Parts Key For Men’s Soccer
Mitchell Petit-Frere, Sports Editor
September 12, 2012
Eight different goal scorers, 15 players who have been included in the starting XI, impact freshmen and upperclassmen playing out of position. If there was one word that best describes the St. John’s men’s soccer team, it’s versatile. Versatility is the name of the game for Dr. Dave Masur’s... Read More
Men’s Soccer Earns Fourth Consecutive Victory
Mitchell Petit-Frere, Sports Editor
September 12, 2012
A tornado warning, high winds and heavy rain couldn’t stop the then No. 12 St. John’s men’s soccer team from recording its fourth straight victory against William & Mary Saturday night at Belson stadium. A scorching effort from freshman Daniel Bedoya and a late first-half penalty... Read More
Basketball Schedules Released
Mitchell Petit-Frere, Sports Editor
September 12, 2012
The schedule for the 2012/13 St. John’s men’s basketball team was released Sept 5. Coached by Steve Lavin, the Red Storm will begin their season on Nov. 15 against Detroit at Carnesseca Arena at 5 p.m. The Johnnies will host 8 non-conference games throughout the NYC area, but they don’t... Read More
Keep On Winnin’
Mitchell Petit-Frere, Sports Editor
September 6, 2012
The St. John’s men’s soccer team continued their winning ways after a 3-0 victory over Ivy League side Princeton Wednesday night. Goals from three Red Storm (4-0-1) forwards, junior Jimmy Mulligan, sophomore Daniel Herrera and freshman Jelani Williams clinched Masur’s men their third... Read More
Big East Schedule Released
Mitchell Petit-Frere, Sports Editor
September 5, 2012
The 2012/13 BIG EAST men’s basketball schedule was released today. While every BIG EAST game will be national televised this season, the St. John’s men’s basketball team will feature in a number of marquee games on premier sports networks. The Red Storm can be seen on one... Read More
New Man In Charge
Mitchell Petit-Frere, Sports Editor
September 5, 2012
Joe Tartamella was named the head coach of the St. John’s women’s basketball team on April 27. He has been a part of the women’s basketball program since 2002 when he was first hired as a graduate assistant. Since then, the native New Yorker has worked his way up the ranks and is set... Read More
U.S. Soccer Education Lacking
Mitchell Petit-Frere, Sports Editor
September 5, 2012
When Moe Harkless climbed the stairs to the Prudential Center stage and shook hands with David Stern at the NBA Draft this past June, he became the first St. John’s basketball player since the formally known Ron Artest to be drafted into “The Association.” With that being said, one would... Read More
Gamecock Classic Victors
Mitchell Petit-Frere, Sports Editor
September 5, 2012
The St. John’s men’s soccer team had a successful weekend at the Gamecock Classic, winning both of their games at the South Carolina University-hosted event. The Red Storm bounced back from a shock 1-1 draw with Colgate University last week and defeated South Carolina 2-0 on Friday night... Read More
Underclassmen Lead Way for Men’s Soccer
Mitchell Petit-Frere, Sports Editor
August 29, 2012
The St. John’s men’s soccer team is entering the 2012 season with just four seniors on the roster, but despite the lack of seniority in the team, the Red Storm received a No. 15 preseason ranking from the NSCAA and were tabbed Red Division favorites in the Big East preseason coaches poll. As... Read More
Men’s Soccer Held to Draw
Mitchell Petit-Frere, Sports Editor
August 29, 2012
The then-No. 13 St. John’s men’s soccer team battled to a 1-1 double overtime draw with Colgate Sunday night at Belson Stadium. An 86 minute goal from freshman forward Jelani Williams canceled out Colgate’s 49 minute opener from Mike Reidy, and saved the Red Storm from a big upset just... Read More
Lade Signs Professional Contract With New York Red Bulls
Mitchell Petit-Frere, Staff Writer
December 12, 2011
Connor Lade, the St. John’s men’s soccer team’s senior defender and co-captain, signed a contract with the MLS’s New York Red Bulls on Dec. 5. Lade was a member of the Red Bulls’ academy system from 2007-2008 and signed with the team through the Home Grown Player Rule rather than... Read More
Red Storm Prepare to take on ‘Cats Without Recovering Lavin
Mitchell Petit-Frere, Staff Writer
November 29, 2011
The St. John’s men’s basketball team will be without head coach Steve Lavin for the third consecutive game when it travels to Lexington, Kentucky Thursday night to take on No. 1 Kentucky at Rupp Arena. “The good news is being cancer free. That was the objective of the surgery,”... Read More
Brown ends Men’s Soccer Team’s Season in Second Round of NCAA Tourney
Mitchell Petit-Frere, Staff Writer
November 21, 2011
After winning the Big East Tournament just one week ago, the St. John’s men’s soccer team’s season has ended after a 1-0 loss to Brown in the second round of the NCAA Tournament Sunday night at Belson Stadium. Brown’s (12-4-3) junior defender Dylan Remick scored the game-winning... Read More
Men’s Soccer Team Wins Big East Tournament
Mitchell Petit-Frere, Staff Writer
November 16, 2011
The then-No. 21/21 St. John’s men’s soccer team won the Big East Tournament championship with a 1-0 overtime win against No. 4/3 Connecticut on Nov. 14 at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J. “I’m really proud of the guys,” said St. John’s head coach Dave Masur. “As we prepared... Read More
Johnnies Come Back to Beat Lehigh in Lavin’s Comeback
Mitchell Petit-Frere, Staff Writer
November 10, 2011
St. John’s men’s basketball head coach Steve Lavin returned to the sidelines in his team’s 78-73 victory against Lehigh in the second game of the 2K Sports Classic for the first time since recovering from prostate cancer surgery. Despite the hysteria that reverberated through Carnesseca... Read More
Men’s Soccer Beats Georgetown in First Round of Big East Tournament
Mitchell Petit-Frere, Staff Writer
November 5, 2011
The St. John’s men’s soccer team booked its place in the quarterfinals of the Big East Tournament with a 2-1 win against Georgetown at Belson Stadium Thursday night. Coming off of two straight 1-0 losses, the Red Storm (11-6-2, 5-5-0) came out of the gates attacking with real incentive. “We... Read More
Johnnies Lose Second Straight to Cincinnati
Mitchell Petit-Frere, Staff Writer
October 30, 2011
The No. 18/11 St. John’s men’s soccer team lost their final regular season game of the season 1-0 on Saturday night in Cincinnati as the Bearcats celebrated their Senior Night. It was the Red Storm’s second straight 1-0 defeat. Despite it being senior night, it was two freshmen... Read More
Men’s Soccer Stunned in Overtime on Senior Night
Mitchell Petit-Frere, Staff Writer
October 30, 2011
The No. 11 St. John’s men’s soccer team were handed a senior night defeat from their Big East rivals Rutgers 1-0 in double overtime. The result handed the Red Storm (10-5-2, 4-4-0) their first home loss of the season. The fans at Belson were almost treated to goals from three... Read More
Men’s Soccer Defeats DePaul
Mitchell Petit-Frere, Staff Writer
October 26, 2011
The then-No. 12/9 St. John’s men’s soccer team battled back from being a goal down twice to defeat Big East opponent DePaul 4-2 on Oct. 21 to remain undefeated at Belson Stadium this season. The Red Storm (10-4-2, 4-3-0) provided an impressive team display that saw... Read More
Punyed Goal Shoots Down Cards
Mitchell Petit-Frere, Staff Writer
October 20, 2011
Senior defender Bjorn de Hoop helped the then-No.21/14 St. John’s men’s soccer team keep a clean sheet in his first home game back from injury as they defeated the then-No. 10/9 Louisville Cardinals 1-0 on Oct. 15. The Big East game was a tight affair, but senior midfielder Pablo Battuto... Read More
Dwyer Double Downs Johnnies in Tampa Downpour
Mitchell Petit-Frere, Staff Writer
October 10, 2011
The No. 9/8 St. John’s men’s soccer team was defeated 3-2 by No. 17/14 USF on a rainy Saturday night in Big East play. Bulls’ junior forward Dom Dwyer, who played at Tyler Junior College with St. John’s winger Jack Bennett last season, scored two goals, including a game-winning... Read More
Men’s Soccer Can’t Get By Brown
Mitchell Petit-Frere, Staff Writer
October 5, 2011
The St. John’s men’s soccer team, now ranked #9/8 in the nation, was unable to prolong their streak of overtime victories in a 0-0 draw against Brown at Belson Stadium Tuesday night. After getting late golden goals to beat Princeton and Notre Dame, the Red Storm (7-2-2) were unable... Read More
Leaverton Notches Early Winner as St. John’s tops Rutgers
Mitchell Petit-Frere, Contributing Writer
October 2, 2011
A quick goal and a solid first start from sophomore goalkeeper Lauren Ferris lifted the St. John’s women’s soccer team to a 1-0 road victory against Rutgers in the first match of their four-game Big East road trip. The Johnnies (7-4-1, 3-2 Big East) scored the lone goal of the match... Read More
Gibbons, Stefansdottir on Target as Johnnies Win Second Straight
Mitchell Petit-Frere, Contributing Writer
September 25, 2011
The St. John’s women’s soccer team continued their unbeaten record at Belson Stadium this season with a 2-0 win against Big East opponent Villanova on a rainy Friday night. A first half goal from sophomore midfielder, Jen Gibbons, and a second half strike from junior midfielder, Runa... Read More