JAMAICA — Lou Carnesecca, a Catholic and hall of fame basketball coach most known for his two-plus decades at the helm of the St. John’s University men’s basketball team, died on Saturday, Nov. 30 at the age of 99, the university announced.
Carnesecca, a graduate of St. Ann’s Academy (present day Archbishop Molloy High School in Briarwood) and St. John’s University, passed away a few weeks short of his 100th birthday. He was born on Jan. 5, 1925.
Carnesecca “endeared himself to generations of New Yorkers with his wit and warmth,” the university said in a statement, adding that he passed away “surrounded by family.”
“As great a coach as Lou Carnesecca was, he was even more so a holy man. He lived his faith powerfully and was devoted to his family. In a fatherly way he also followed his players, showing interest in their careers and their lives. I join so many in expressing sorrow at the news of his passing, but with tremendous hope that he shares in the fullness of the Lord’s resurrection. God bless his Mary, wife of 73 years, and his family,” said Bishop Robert Brennan.
Carnesecca enrolled in St. John’s University after serving in the U.S. Coast Guard in World War II. He graduated in 1950. He then served as basketball coach at St. Ann’s Academy from 1950 to 1958, and subsequently joined the staff at St. John’s University as an assistant basketball coach in 1958.
He was named head coach of the university’s men’s basketball program in 1965 and coached the team for 24 years, amassing 526 wins and leading the team to postseason tournaments in each of his 24 seasons.
Under Carnesecca, the St. John’s University men’s basketball team appeared in the NCAA Basketball Tournament 18 times and played in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) six times. The team won the NIT in 1989.
He left college basketball in 1970 to become the coach of the New York Nets in the American Basketball Association, but returned to St. John’s University in 1973.
In 1985, he guided the then-Redmen (now Red Storm) to the Final Four of the NCAA Basketball Tournament, losing to Georgetown University. It was during that 1984-1985 season that Carnesecca attained national fame and became somewhat of a pop culture icon because of the colorful, elaborately designed sweaters he wore during games.
Carnesecca patrolled the sidelines in the outlandish sweaters out of a belief that the sweaters, which he had started wearing to keep warm, were a good luck charm, according to the Associated Press.
Carnesecca retired from coaching in 1992, and was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame that same year. The following year, he was inducted into the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame. In 2004, St. John’s University renamed the campus arena “Carnesecca Arena” in his honor.
Despite all of his success, Carnesecca was known for his modesty. He once said, “At St. John’s it’s all about the players.”
Visitation will be held Thursday, Dec. 5, from 2 PM to 8 PM at Thomas Dalton Funeral Homes, located at 125 Hillside Ave, New Hyde Park, NY 11040.
Carnesecca’s funeral Mass will be held Friday, Dec. 6, at 10 AM. The service will be held at St. Thomas More Church at St. John’s University, located at 8000 Utopia Parkway, Jamaica, NY 11439.
