St. John's University Athletics
Carnesecca and Kaiser to Enter ECAC Hall of Fame as Part of Inaugural Class
3/24/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 24, 2015
QUEENS - St. John's legends Lou Carnesecca and Jack Kaiser have been elected to the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Hall of Fame, presented by Webster Bank. Carnesecca and Kaiser are part of the inaugural 25-member class, which spans over the entire 75-year history of the ECAC, and recognizes a diverse representation of former student-athletes, coaches, administrators, teams, officials, support staff, and supporters from across decades.
Honorees for the first-ever class have been selected for outstanding achievements, service, dedication, commitment and contributions to the ECAC, championships, sponsored sports, programs, and events. The class will officially be inducted on April 17 at the ECAC Hall of Fame Gala and Induction Ceremony to be held at the Matrix Conference & Banquet Center in Danbury, Conn.
Carnesecca, a 1992 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee and the winningest coach in program history, posted a 526-200 record at his alma mater and led his squad to 24 postseason berths in 24 seasons, including an appearance in the 1985 NCAA Final Four. He guided St. John's to 18 NCAA Tournaments and six NITs, and directed the team to 20 or more victories in a season on 18 separate occasions. Carnesecca was named BIG EAST Coach of the Year three times and Metropolitan Coach of the Year six times by the New York Basketball Writers Association. St. John's produced a 112-65 record against tough BIG EAST competition under Carnesecca, tying for three regular-season titles and winning one outright. He led St. John's to BIG EAST Tournament championships in 1983 and 1986.
Kaiser was a standout student-athlete for St. John's on the baseball diamond before beginning his Hall of Fame 18-year head coaching career in 1956. He posted a 366-115 record and led the baseball program to 11 postseason appearances, including three College World Series trips in 1960, 1966 and 1968. Kaiser served as St. John's Director of Athletics from 1973-1995. In his first year in the position, he became President of the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) Committee and held the position until 1988. He was also instrumental in the formation of the BIG EAST Conference and played a key role in developing the baseball league. Kaiser has been honored by the BIG EAST at every conference championship since 1985, with the tournament's Most Outstanding Player receiving the Jack Kaiser Award. He still serves the University as Athletics Director Emeritus.
"It is truly an honor to induct this special group of people as the inaugural class of the ECAC Hall of Fame," said ECAC President & CEO Dr. Kevin T. McGinniss. "These 25 individuals have left an indelible mark on this organization and will now be forever recognized for their outstanding contributions and achievements."
To R.S.V.P. for the ECAC Hall of Fame Gala and Induction Ceremony and also view journal advertisement information, visit: http://www.ecacsports.com/special_events/registration
ECAC Hall of Fame Registration & Journal Advertisement Information
QUEENS - St. John's legends Lou Carnesecca and Jack Kaiser have been elected to the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Hall of Fame, presented by Webster Bank. Carnesecca and Kaiser are part of the inaugural 25-member class, which spans over the entire 75-year history of the ECAC, and recognizes a diverse representation of former student-athletes, coaches, administrators, teams, officials, support staff, and supporters from across decades.
Honorees for the first-ever class have been selected for outstanding achievements, service, dedication, commitment and contributions to the ECAC, championships, sponsored sports, programs, and events. The class will officially be inducted on April 17 at the ECAC Hall of Fame Gala and Induction Ceremony to be held at the Matrix Conference & Banquet Center in Danbury, Conn.
Carnesecca, a 1992 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee and the winningest coach in program history, posted a 526-200 record at his alma mater and led his squad to 24 postseason berths in 24 seasons, including an appearance in the 1985 NCAA Final Four. He guided St. John's to 18 NCAA Tournaments and six NITs, and directed the team to 20 or more victories in a season on 18 separate occasions. Carnesecca was named BIG EAST Coach of the Year three times and Metropolitan Coach of the Year six times by the New York Basketball Writers Association. St. John's produced a 112-65 record against tough BIG EAST competition under Carnesecca, tying for three regular-season titles and winning one outright. He led St. John's to BIG EAST Tournament championships in 1983 and 1986.
Kaiser was a standout student-athlete for St. John's on the baseball diamond before beginning his Hall of Fame 18-year head coaching career in 1956. He posted a 366-115 record and led the baseball program to 11 postseason appearances, including three College World Series trips in 1960, 1966 and 1968. Kaiser served as St. John's Director of Athletics from 1973-1995. In his first year in the position, he became President of the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) Committee and held the position until 1988. He was also instrumental in the formation of the BIG EAST Conference and played a key role in developing the baseball league. Kaiser has been honored by the BIG EAST at every conference championship since 1985, with the tournament's Most Outstanding Player receiving the Jack Kaiser Award. He still serves the University as Athletics Director Emeritus.
"It is truly an honor to induct this special group of people as the inaugural class of the ECAC Hall of Fame," said ECAC President & CEO Dr. Kevin T. McGinniss. "These 25 individuals have left an indelible mark on this organization and will now be forever recognized for their outstanding contributions and achievements."
To R.S.V.P. for the ECAC Hall of Fame Gala and Induction Ceremony and also view journal advertisement information, visit: http://www.ecacsports.com/special_events/registration
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