Official announcements from St. John's University or major news outlets

Hall of Fame St. John's Coach Lou Carnesecca Dies at 99, Weeks Before 100th Birthday

Dec 1, 2024, 05:12 AM

Lou Carnesecca, the legendary Hall of Fame basketball coach who led St. John's University to national prominence, died on December 1, 2024, at the age of 99, just weeks shy of his 100th birthday on January 5th. Carnesecca coached the St. John's Red Storm for 24 seasons, amassing over 500 wins and achieving 32 consecutive winning seasons. He guided the team to three Big East titles and the 1985 Final Four. Known for his charismatic personality and trademark colorful sweaters, Carnesecca was a beloved figure in New York City and an icon in college basketball. He was one of the faces of the Big East's golden era during the 1980s. Under his leadership, St. John's became a powerhouse in the conference, and his influence extended beyond sports as a symbol of New York's basketball heritage. Carnesecca was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and is remembered as one of the game's greatest ambassadors.