What can you say about this Hall of Famer that hasn’t already
been said? Lou Carnesecca is a legend in New York and college
basketball circles worldwide. He is synonymous with St. John’s
Basketball, having coached at the University for 24
seasons.
During those 24 seasons he never failed to qualify for a
post-season tournament (18 NCAAs and six NITs). “Looie,” as he is
affectionately called, compiled a record of 526 wins and 200 losses
and directed the team to 20 or more wins on 18 separate
occasions.
Carnesecca was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of
Fame in Springfield, Mass., in 1992. In 1991, he became only
the 30th NCAA Division I coach to reach the 500 career victory
mark. In 1988-89, he directed his team to a record fifth NIT
title.
His NCAA teams were successful advancing to the Final Four in
1985, to the Eastern Regional Final in 1979 and to the regional
semifinals in 1967, 1969, 1983 and 1991.
Carnsecca’s record in regular season tournaments is also
impressive. He won 17 Lapchick Tournaments and eight ECAC
Holiday Festival crowns. In 13 tough years of BIG EAST Conference
competition, Carnesecca’s teams had a regular season record of
112-65 and were 13-11 in the tournament. He also tied for the
regular season title three times and won it outright
once.
Carnesecca was named BIG EAST Coach of the Year three times and
chosen Metropolitan Area Coach of the Year six times by the New
York Basketball Writers Association. In addition, he has two BIG
EAST titles to his credit winning in the 1983 and 1986 seasons.