I have to start another thread but this phrase deserves it.
As the clock was running out and the reality of the BET championship became a certainty, I was hoping, wishing really, for the "We are.. St. John's" to ignite in the crowd. I considered starting it, but my section, off in a corner, was more sedate than the others.
Today, I consider what this means to us. That rally cry, is not a cheer at all in actuality. It's a declaration of who WE are, of what we are. All alums are St. John's. All faculty and staff are St. John's. All fans are St. John's. But also more than any other school in the country with the possible exception of Notre Dame, anyone who follows us identifies with St. John's IS St. John's.
The difference though between us and Notre Dame, is like the Statue in NYC Harbor - our city - we are more welcoming, more inclusive, not elite or pretentious. St. John's isn't just a university, not just a bunch of buildings. It's US, all of us. We are New York's team, because our identity is New York story, an American story. Come to America with nothing, land in NYC, work your ass off, your kids and grandkids have a better life, eventually college. First in your family to attend - come to St. Johns.
We work hard - WE are St. John's.
We don't give up - (just look the folks who stuck with this team for decades) - WE are St. John's.
We welcome all, rich or poor, no matter your color or identity, even if you didn't go to school here - WE are St. John's.
And today we awaken, finally, as CHAMPIONS once again. WE are St. John's!!
Maybe the band of us who travel to the NCAAs will revive this chant.
WE - all of us - deserve this.
As the clock was running out and the reality of the BET championship became a certainty, I was hoping, wishing really, for the "We are.. St. John's" to ignite in the crowd. I considered starting it, but my section, off in a corner, was more sedate than the others.
Today, I consider what this means to us. That rally cry, is not a cheer at all in actuality. It's a declaration of who WE are, of what we are. All alums are St. John's. All faculty and staff are St. John's. All fans are St. John's. But also more than any other school in the country with the possible exception of Notre Dame, anyone who follows us identifies with St. John's IS St. John's.
The difference though between us and Notre Dame, is like the Statue in NYC Harbor - our city - we are more welcoming, more inclusive, not elite or pretentious. St. John's isn't just a university, not just a bunch of buildings. It's US, all of us. We are New York's team, because our identity is New York story, an American story. Come to America with nothing, land in NYC, work your ass off, your kids and grandkids have a better life, eventually college. First in your family to attend - come to St. Johns.
We work hard - WE are St. John's.
We don't give up - (just look the folks who stuck with this team for decades) - WE are St. John's.
We welcome all, rich or poor, no matter your color or identity, even if you didn't go to school here - WE are St. John's.
And today we awaken, finally, as CHAMPIONS once again. WE are St. John's!!
Maybe the band of us who travel to the NCAAs will revive this chant.
WE - all of us - deserve this.
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