Lou Carnesecca

My husband and I met at a basketball game as freshmen at St. John´s. University and Lou was the coach. We went to every game and saw Chris Mullen rise to stardom thanks to Lou. We have been married for 56 years and to think it all started at a basket game!
Marianne and Pat Colavita `67

My condolences.

Condolences to his family

I worked the St. John´s Redman camp on the campus of St. John´s as a young coach. I was an assistant at Yeshiva University at the time under Coach Jonathan Halpert, who played for Red Sarachek, Lou´s partner in the upstate, NY camp. Being around Lou those 4 summers(1991-1994),
was the thrill of my early teaching and coaching career, because he embodied all the characteristics of being not only a great coach, but a great human being. Working there, even for a short time every summer,
was like being with family, and Lou always made you feel welcome.
Lou always had good people around him, I felt like his assistant coaches were truly an extension of
himself and he was, and will always be, a person well-loved.
A life well-lived Lou Carnesecca,
May you be honored for eternity.

I first met Coach Carnesecca when I was a 16 yr-old senior at Archbishop Molloy HS. He was the current freshman baseball coach at St. John's prior to taking over the basketball program, recruiting me to attend St. John's. He was like a 2nd father helping me through my early college years, keeping me on a straight and narrow path. After college, Coach was always very cordial and polite to my wife and sons whenever they met. I am so honored to have known and played for such an outstanding individual. My sincere condolences go out to Mrs. Carnesecca and family, and he will forever be in our hearts.

I was a student of SJU from 1978-1982 (BA) and again from 1984-1988 (MBA). The excitement on campus over the Redmen was palpable. I distinctly remember Chris Mullin and of course Lou - an outstanding coach and a true gentleman. My deepest sympathy to Mrs. Carnesecca and Lou's many friends and family. May he rest in peace and rise in glory and may his memory be a belssing to those who knew him.

Condolences to Lou´s family and friends. He is a legend!

As a life long St johns Hoop fan, I met Coach Carnesecca multiple times and he was always warm and welcoming as he let us watch practice on campus. As a die hard St. john's fan in upstate NY, my nickname in high school was "Lou" after my favorite legendary coach. He was underrated with so many great coaches in the initial era of the Big East. He will always be remembered.
Mike Carpentieri
Latham, NY

I went to St Johns from 1987 to 1991. I was one of three girls on the Karate Team under S. Henry Cho. At that time, The Karate Team Practice room was not far from the Red Storm Gym and Locker Room.
I was very shy and that experience definitely helped me out of my shell. Coach Carnesecca always said hello to me and always had a kind word for me. So sorry to hear of his passing today. My condolences to his family.

Lou Carnesecca and St. John´s are one and the same. You just couldn´t have one without the other. Truly a legend and an icon, one of the best college coaches. His record of players that went to the NBA is outstanding. Lou was of a kind, just like the sweaters he wore to the games. There will most definitely be a void at St. John´s and all through basketball. Deepest condolences to the Carnesecca family, so very sorry for your loss. May God be with you all in your time of loss.

I grew up in Washington, DC, the heart of Georgetown Hoya fans of which I am still a fan. However I always loved the match ups between the Hoyas and the Redmen because of Coach Carnesecca. I had such respect for him. My thoughts and prayers to his family and the extended St. John's family. RIP Coach!