Rick Pitino Honors Lou Carnesecca With ‘Looie Sweater,’ Wins First Game Since Legend’s Death
Pitino Honors Carnesecca with ‘Looie Sweater,’ Wins first game Since Legend’s Passing
New York, NY – In a touching tribute to St. John’s basketball legend Lou Carnesecca, Rick Pitino and his Red Storm squad donned special “Looie Sweaters” for their season opener against Stony Brook. The gesture, a heartfelt nod to the iconic coach who passed away earlier this year, proved to be a lucky charm as St. John’s secured a resounding victory.
The sweaters, featuring Carnesecca’s signature fedora and a stylized “Looie” inscription, were a visible reminder of the coach’s enduring legacy. Pitino, who took over the helm at St. John’s this season, spoke about the meaning of honoring Carnesecca’s memory.
“Coach Carnesecca was a giant in college basketball, and his impact on St. john’s is immeasurable,” Pitino said. “Wearing these sweaters is a small way for us to show our respect and keep his spirit alive within our program.”
The tribute resonated deeply with the St. John’s faithful, who erupted in cheers as the team took the court. The energy in Carnesecca Arena was palpable, fueled by a mix of nostalgia and excitement for the new era under Pitino.
The Red Storm delivered a dominant performance, showcasing a fast-paced offense and stifling defense. The victory marked a promising start to Pitino’s tenure and served as a fitting tribute to the man who built St. John’s into a national powerhouse.
As the final buzzer sounded, Pitino raised his arms in triumph, acknowledging the crowd and the legacy that loomed large over the court. The “Looie Sweater” served as a powerful symbol of continuity, connecting the past, present, and future of St. John’s basketball.
Pitino Honors Carnesecca Legacy with Throwback style
New York, NY - St. John’s University men’s basketball coach Rick Pitino paid tribute to the late legendary coach Lou Carnesecca in a touching way during the Red Storm’s recent game against DePaul. Pitino donned a vintage-style suit reminiscent of the iconic look Carnesecca sported during his tenure at St. John’s.
The gesture resonated deeply with fans and former players alike, evoking memories of carnesecca’s remarkable 24-year reign as head coach. Carnesecca, who passed away in august 2023, led the Red Storm to the 1985 Final Four and is widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in college basketball history.
“Coach Carnesecca was a true legend, not just at St. john’s but in the entire sport,” Pitino said. “Wearing this suit is a small way to honor his legacy and the impact he had on so many lives.”
Pitino’s tribute comes as St. John’s continues to celebrate Carnesecca’s life and contributions. The university held a memorial service for the legendary coach in September, which was attended by hundreds of former players, coaches, and fans.
The Red Storm will also be honoring Carnesecca throughout the season by wearing a commemorative patch on their uniforms.
St.John’s Coach Pitino Discusses Carnesecca Tributes
NewsDirectory3.com: Coach Pitino, thank you for taking the time to speak with us. The “Looie Sweaters” worn in the season opener were a powerful tribute to Coach Carnesecca. Can you talk about the decision to include them and the reactions from the team and fans?
Rick Pitino: Coach Carnesecca was a giant in our sport, and his legacy at St. John’s is immeasurable. The “Looie Sweaters”, with his fedora and signature “Looie” inscription, were a small way for us to show our respect and keep his spirit alive within our program.The reaction from the team and fans was incredibly moving. You could feel the energy in the arena, a mix of nostalgia and excitement for this new era of St. John’s basketball.
NewsDirectory3.com: And the recent game against DePaul saw you donning a vintage-style suit echoing Coach carnesecca’s iconic look. What inspired this decision?
Rick Pitino: Coach carnesecca was a true legend, not just at St. John’s but in all of collage basketball. Wearing this suit is a small way to honor his legacy and the impact he had on so many lives.
NewsDirectory3.com: These tributes clearly resonate deeply with the St. John’s community. What message do you hope to convey through these gestures?
Rick Pitino: I want the players, the fans, and everyone associated with St. John’s to remember the astonishing legacy of Coach Carnesecca. He built this program into a national powerhouse, and we want to carry on that tradition of excellence and honor his memory in everything we do.