Happy Birthday, Coach Carnesecca

God Bless Coach, still makes me proud when mentioning I went to SJU, the reply even today, Carnesecca or you have that great Italian named Coach. 
 
I was 20-year-old Canadian who didn't know a thing about college hoops when I arrived at St. John's in the early 80s. I remember spending a few minutes with Coach C in his office and routinely bumping into him whlie hanging around Alumni Hall. I was too young and dumb to realize I was in the presence of greatness. But I did recognize was that I was in the presence of a great human being – a humble guy who was quick to laugh and always willing to rub shoulders with students who were part of the St. John's family. 

Happy birthday, Coach. You'll always be the face of St. John's. Best wishes for good health and happy days ahead.
 
JackofVirginia" post=411348 said:
Think about it  - we have two of the classiest gentlemen and coaches in sports -Louie and Jack Kaiser.  Happy Birthday Lou.


I hope the Coach gets to read all the love on these posts - that would be nice!  Maybe someone closedto him can point it out.
 
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Kornheiser and Wilbon recognized Looie's birthday on PTI yesterday
Both shared nice anecdotes about their encounters with Coach
It was clear that they are both very fond of him (as we all are!!)
 
 
MarkRedman" post=411366 said:
Kornheiser and Wilbon recognized Looie's birthday on PTI yesterday
Both shared nice anecdotes about their encounters with Coach
It was clear that they are both very fond of him (as we all are!!)

 
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Tony told a story on his Podcast today about a Luncheon at Mama Leone's where the Restaurant was so thrilled that Coach was there, they told him don't worry about the menu, we will make you anything that you want and he asked for scrambled eggs !
 
SJUNC" post=411368 said:
MarkRedman" post=411366 said:
Kornheiser and Wilbon recognized Looie's birthday on PTI yesterday
Both shared nice anecdotes about their encounters with Coach
It was clear that they are both very fond of him (as we all are!!)


 
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Tony told a story on his Podcast today about a Luncheon at Mama Leone's where the Restaurant was so thrilled that Coach was there, they told him don't worry about the menu, we will make you anything that you want and he asked for scrambled eggs !
 
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Same story he told on PTI.  Funny one.
 
Coach Lavin himself is a pretty classy guy.

I hope we can get to a point soon where former coaches are warmly welcomed at our games: [attachment=1820]SmartSelect_20210106-164349_LinkedIn.jpg[/attachment]
 
And this from Coach Lavin
[attachment=1822]SmartSelect_20210106-164905_LinkedIn.jpg[/attachment]
  [attachment=1821]SmartSelect_20210106-164931_LinkedIn.jpg[/attachment]
 
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SJUNC" post=411368 said:
MarkRedman" post=411366 said:
Kornheiser and Wilbon recognized Looie's birthday on PTI yesterday
Both shared nice anecdotes about their encounters with Coach
It was clear that they are both very fond of him (as we all are!!)


 
Click to expand...
Tony told a story on his Podcast today about a Luncheon at Mama Leone's where the Restaurant was so thrilled that Coach was there, they told him don't worry about the menu, we will make you anything that you want and he asked for scrambled eggs !


Talking about Mama Leones. My wife and I were going to eat there before seeing a Broadway show, however the line was down the block. No way we would make it on time. Remembering Louie and Big East coaches had their monthly meetings at Leones I went to the front of the line and told the maitre d Louie said you would take care of me. Sure enough mentioning the maestro got us in. Never did tell Louie.
 
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Beast of the East" post=411374 said:
And this from Coach Lavin
[attachment=1822]SmartSelect_20210106-164905_LinkedIn.jpg[/attachment]
  [attachment=1821]SmartSelect_20210106-164931_LinkedIn.jpg[/attachment]
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The above article is a great read, because it is like opening a time capsule.   Looie was named Joe Lapchick's assistant immediately upon Joe leaving the Knicks, presumptively according to the article, over health concerns.   From day one apparently the speculation was the Looie would take over as head coach imminently.   It's funny that back then as assistant coach, he would also help Jack Kaiser (another very young coach, Looie was 31) with the baseball team, and also be charged with running SJU intramural sports.  

Above all that it's so clear the Steve Lavin has tremendous regard for the historical aspects of our program, and great respect for mentors (Gene Keady was his, but he also spent part of a summer with Bobby Knight).   Lavin continually had high regard for John Wooden and always gives each of these guys including Looie, a fair amount of praise.   Lavin is another guy who would have benefitted from a strong A.D. in place here during his tenure.   I don't want to sanitize his place here, but he obviously brought a lot of good to the table, and also has been extremely vocal in support of SJU since his departure.
 
Coach Lou C. is not a NY treasure; he is a national treausre. Ask anyone who REALLY knows college BB.

No one less than Bobby Knight, Bill Raf and Coach K (plus many others)  would alwyas pay homage to the great Luigi.

Beast, I love your pointing out how Lavin took care to include Lou in his remarks and care for his legacy. No matter what anyone thinks of Lavin, I am alwyas going to be fond of him for his fondness for Lou (and Keady), means a lot to me that the younger guys revere the ones that came before them.
 
BrookJersey Redmen" post=411669Coach Lou C. is not a NY treasure; he is a national treausre. Ask anyone who REALLY knows college BB.

No one less than Bobby Knight, Bill Raf and Coach K (plus many others)  would alwyas pay homage to the great Luigi.

Beast, I love your pointing out how Lavin took care to include Lou in his remarks and care for his legacy. No matter what anyone thinks of Lavin, I am alwyas going to be fond of him for his fondness for Lou (and Keady), means a lot to me that the younger guys revere the ones that came before them.

Lavin is a classy gentleman.
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