Chris Mullin post
RIP Coach Carnesecca
- Thread starter SJU85
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Alumni Hall
Well-known member
anerdyblackguy
Member
My Condolences to Coach Lou and the Carnesecca family.
Newsday Letters to the Editor 12/4/2024
Coach’s friendship lasted a lifetime
For Lou Carnesecca, who died Saturday, even insignificant events were important to him [“Lou: A true NY sports icon,” Sports, Dec. 2].
A friend of mine who played for the St. John’s freshman basketball team sometimes had his practice sessions run by “Coach” Carnesecca. My friend, who never made the varsity, eventually moved to an assisted living facility.
Coach, at 99, learned this fall that the former player was having severe medical issues. Coach called my friend to offer comfort and support. My friend cherished the phone call.
I’m sure this is just one unknown instance when Coach went out of his way to reach out and help someone.
— Phil Grella, Rockville Centre
I remember during my time at St. John’s seeing Lou Carnesecca walking around the campus. He always had a smile on his face and a big hello, no matter who you were. He will be missed.
— Bob Horsham, Ridge
Coach’s friendship lasted a lifetime
For Lou Carnesecca, who died Saturday, even insignificant events were important to him [“Lou: A true NY sports icon,” Sports, Dec. 2].
A friend of mine who played for the St. John’s freshman basketball team sometimes had his practice sessions run by “Coach” Carnesecca. My friend, who never made the varsity, eventually moved to an assisted living facility.
Coach, at 99, learned this fall that the former player was having severe medical issues. Coach called my friend to offer comfort and support. My friend cherished the phone call.
I’m sure this is just one unknown instance when Coach went out of his way to reach out and help someone.
— Phil Grella, Rockville Centre
I remember during my time at St. John’s seeing Lou Carnesecca walking around the campus. He always had a smile on his face and a big hello, no matter who you were. He will be missed.
— Bob Horsham, Ridge
I came across this comment from Eric L. in The Athletic:
Lou Carnesecca was a wonderful man. I and 4 friends went to a St John's basketball game in the early 80s when Chris Mullin was playing there. St. John's won the game. After the game we went to an Italian restaurant in Queens for dinner and there was Lou having dinner with some of his staff & friends. We sent over a bottle of wine to congratulate Lou on his victory. He waved appreciation and a thank you. We finished our dinners and asked for the check. The waiter informed us that Lou had already took care of our bill of 5 dinners & extensive drinking tab. What a guy! Loved Lou Carnesecca & his sweaters! RIP my dear man.
Lou Carnesecca was a wonderful man. I and 4 friends went to a St John's basketball game in the early 80s when Chris Mullin was playing there. St. John's won the game. After the game we went to an Italian restaurant in Queens for dinner and there was Lou having dinner with some of his staff & friends. We sent over a bottle of wine to congratulate Lou on his victory. He waved appreciation and a thank you. We finished our dinners and asked for the check. The waiter informed us that Lou had already took care of our bill of 5 dinners & extensive drinking tab. What a guy! Loved Lou Carnesecca & his sweaters! RIP my dear man.
MBaldi
Well-known member
So, I'm a little late with this post, but still wanted to add it. I took my twin girls to their first SJU game this past Saturday night. It was an amazing experience, which included seeing one of them compete in a basketball race during a timeout (much to the chagrin of her twin sister who couldn't participate because of a sprained wrist). Our evening included taking the picture I posted here -- just hours before I first heard the sad news of Louie's passing. As SJU and Louie were a big part of my childhood, I will always view this as an especially special picture -- and one that I will talk about with my girls for a long, long time. RIP Louie, you will always hold a special place in my heart.
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We all have our favorite memories of Louie. In fact , there are nearly too many to mention .
But , here’s 1 recall from the late 70’s . We had just lost to Princeton coached by Pete Carrill and Louie was being interviewed .
He said “ that Princeton team is smart . They got guys on that team who could be President one day .”
Lou didn’t like losing but , he was always gracious in defeat .
I think one of the measures of him as a Coach and Man is the affection his players had for him , after they had long past playing for him .
But , here’s 1 recall from the late 70’s . We had just lost to Princeton coached by Pete Carrill and Louie was being interviewed .
He said “ that Princeton team is smart . They got guys on that team who could be President one day .”
Lou didn’t like losing but , he was always gracious in defeat .
I think one of the measures of him as a Coach and Man is the affection his players had for him , after they had long past playing for him .
That and the respect his Big East coaching rivals had for him - they all loved him.
SJUDave
Well-known member
it's amazing how I read every quote by Looie and in my head i hear his voice clear as day saying the words....
he will be and is already dearly missed
espken, your photo is better than mine; Mike Maher must have taken my picture and he got mostly floor. LOL
You gotta get Maher before that first IPA goes down
is that even possible?You gotta get Maher before that first IPA goes down
Let’s not sell ourselves short, back in the day, the dinner tab would have been way up there too.Lucky for Coach it wasn’t myself, Maher and SJU85 drinking, forget the dinner tab.
I am wearing the same exact shirt today that you are wearing in that picture.
I guess it was after after his second IPA.