April 18, 2008

QUEENS, N.Y. - St. John's fans will have the opportunity to meet Hall of Famers Lou Carnesecca, Willis Reed and Rick Barry, and many of STJ's all-time legendary basketball players at the 2008 Lou Carnesecca Golf Classic on Monday, May 12, at the North Hempstead Country Club in Port Washington, N.Y. There is very limited availability for remaining golf foursomes, and additional spaces also remain for fans who wish to meet these hardwood veterans at the event's dinner reception and auction, which begins at 5:30 p.m.

Prizes will be awarded to the top foursomes, and along with long drive and closest-to-the-pin contests, one golfer has the chance to turn a hole-in-one into a brand new ride. A $20,000 gift toward a luxury car, provided by Champion Motor Group's Long Island Bentley/Lamborghini, could be awarded to one lucky golfer if he or she makes an ace on the designated hole.

During the evening's dinner reception and auction, St. John's fans will be able to interact with a cast of Redmen and Red Storm legends from throughout the eras. In addition to Carnesecca, Reed and Barry, expected special guests include Chris Mullin, Jayson Williams, George Johnson, Andrew "Fuzzy" Levane, Jack "Dutch" Garfinkel and State Supreme Court Justice Theodore T. Jones, Jr., among others.

Fans will also be able to get their hands on rare St. John's collectors' items and other sports memorabilia by participating in live and silent auctions. Some of the items up for bid include tickets to Major League Baseball's All-Star Weekend at Yankee Stadium, a basketball autographed by the stars of the St. John's 1985 Final Four team and an authentic Lou Carnesecca Sweater. There will also be several one-of-a-kind experiential items to bid upon, including dinners with Carnesecca, Reed, Barry, Williams, Walter Berry, Earl "The Pearl" Monroe, Walt "Clyde" Frazier and others.

Those interested in participating in the 2008 Lou Carnesecca Golf Classic should contact Germana Berni in Institutional Advancement at 718-990-2547, or by e-mail at bernig@stjohns.edu.

Headed by former St. John's All-American and longtime NBA star Mel Davis, the golf classic benefits the Carnesecca Initiative, the University's major fundraising venture to support a planned $30 million renovation to Carnesecca Arena. Early leadership gift commitments have helped to move the first phases of the renovations forward and additional gifts will be needed to complete the full vision. For information about upcoming Carnesecca Initiative events, naming opportunities in the new Carnesecca Arena, or to make a donation, please contact Davis at 718-990-2374, or by e-mail at davism1@stjohns.edu.

Last week, the University announced its intentions to follow Carnesecca Renovation Phase I's Student-Athlete Center for Excellence, which was completed in the Fall of 2007, with a $5 million series of Phase II upgrades to the venue's seating bowl and lobby areas.

"Coach Carnesecca has meant so much to us - not only those of us who were fortunate to play for him on the court, but to the millions of followers of St. John's Basketball over the years," said Davis. "Contributing to the Carnesecca Initiative is a way for all of us to continue Coach's legacy, and help our future basketball squads have a chance to enjoy the successes that so many of Coach's teams had."

Also of interest to Red Storm fans, the 100 Years of St. John's Basketball Banquet will be held on Tuesday, June 10 at the New York Athletic Club in Manhattan. The year-long celebration of St. John's University's basketball centennial will come to a close at an event that honors the St. John's All-Century team and celebrates a century of success on the hardwood. For information or to purchase tickets for the banquet, please contact Jaclyn Lent, Office of Advancement Events, at 718-990-6816 or by e-mail at lentj@stjohns.edu.