August 27, 2012
It’s not every day you get a firsthand look into Red Storm
basketball. But at the Professional Advisor Breakfast, alumni and
friends working in Wealth Management and Finance got just that.
Photo gallery
Held on the Manhattan campus, this program welcomed a number of
professionals in order to inform them of how they can partner with
St. John’s, the Office of Gift Planning and the Office of Athletic
Development. It also allowed the guests to chat with Head Men’s
Basketball Coach Steve Lavin and Head Women’s Basketball Coach Joe
Tartamella ’04MBA.
“We’re so thankful to our coaches for being here this
morning to provide their insight into the upcoming season,” said
Susan Damiani ’87CBA, Director of the Office of Gift Planning.
“And, of course, this is a great opportunity to discuss how we can
all work together to provide your clients and our alumni with
excellent advice on financial planning.”
Lavin kicked off the basketball discussion by delving into his
latest recruiting class, sharing his insight on what fans can
expect next year.
“This will be the deepest team I have ever coached,” Lavin said.
“In terms of pieces – size and strength, skill and quickness –
we’ve addressed the things that we needed, and there’s no drop off.
From players one through 11, this is a strong team, and they’ll be
pushing each other at practice every day.”
About to enter his first season at the helm of the Women’s
Basketball team, Tartamella praised his players and shared his
excitement for next season. The program is coming off its
first-ever Sweet 16 berth and has received significant pre-season
buzz.
“Many of the players who comprised our team’s nucleus will be back
next season,” Tartamella said. “We hope to build on the success of
last season, and I’m really excited for my first year as Head
Coach. I know it’s going to be an exciting season for our
fans.”
Damiani pointed out the various ways the guests could support St.
John’s Athletics, from attending pre-game receptions to sponsorship
opportunities. She also steered the conversation toward how the
professionals could collaborate with the University in terms of
gift planning.
For example, Damiani mentioned that they could keep The McCallen
Society in mind when working with their clients. Additionally, they
could attend the popular Meet the Experts event, held periodically
throughout the year.
“With your support, at that event we provide free
financial and legal advice for our alumni,” Damiani said. “It’s a
great chance for them to speak with experienced wealth managers,
and, afterwards, you can mingle with these alumni, discuss personal
matters and share your business card. It’s a perfect way to
network.”
Guests who attended the Professional Advisor Breakfast enjoyed
learning more about the Office of Gift Planning, talking basketball
with the coaches and learning how they could team up with the
University.
“This whole event is really a great idea,” said Richard J. Krohley
’99TCB, Financial Consultant at AXA Advisors, LLC. “I had been
hoping to collaborate with St. John’s in the future, and then I
heard about this wonderful event. And to speak with the coaches was
great for me, since I go to a lot of games. I think we’re going to
be good next year and we’ll surprise a lot of people.”
For Dan Buckley ’94CBI, Agency Sales Director at MetLife, the
Professional Advisor Breakfast was the perfect opportunity to
reconnect with his St. John’s family.
“The University, to me, meant having a premium education while
remaining close to home,” Buckley said. “And I always say that St.
John’s prepares students to not only be book smart, but to be
street smart. We carry that combination better than any other
university out there, and I’m glad to come back to events like this
and continue my relationship with this great place.”
To learn more about supporting the Office of Athletic Development
and to find out about sponsorship opportunities, please contact
Elizabeth Austin ’08TCB, ’10MBA at (718) 990-2548 or by e-mail at
austine@stjohns.edu.
To learn more about the Office of Gift Planning, please contact
Susan Damiani at (718) 990-7562 or by e-mail at damianis@stjohns.edu.