St. John's University Athletics
St. John’s Hosts Jack Kaiser Golf Classic
7/25/2019 9:55:00 AM | Baseball
Bob Hirschfield, Mike Fahid, Joe Russo and 2012 Super Regional Team honored at annual event
QUEENS, N.Y. (July 25, 2019) – Alumni and friends of the St. John's baseball program spanning seven decades gathered together for the 22nd annual Jack Kaiser Golf Classic at Cherry Valley Club in Garden City on Monday.
The event honored several individuals that have played significant roles in the growth and development of the St. John's baseball program over the years. Bob Hirschfield '70C, '75 GED and Mike Fahid '01 ED, '13GCPS were both recognized with the Coach Jack Kaiser Baseball Advocate Award, the highest honor presented to an alumnus, benefactor, friend, parent or fan of St. John's Baseball. Both men played their collegiate baseball in Queens before staying involved with the program in different ways. Fahid coached alongside Ed Blankmeyer and helps run the program's summer baseball camps, while Hirschfield entered the broadcast booth for Red Storm home games following a 29-year coaching career at NYIT.
The 2012 Super Regional Team was also recognized for its place in the long and storied history of St. John's Baseball. The first St. John's squad to hold the BIG EAST Regular Season and Tournament titles concurrently, the Johnnies also became the first Red Storm team to advance to a super regional after taking three straight games, including two over North Carolina, at the Chapel Hill Regional.
Joe Russo, who guided the program for more than two decades, was also honored. Russo, who passed away in May, took over the reins of the program from Jack Kaiser in 1974 and went on to record 612 wins over the next 22 seasons. Russo also excelled as a player for the Redmen, captaining the 1966 team to the College World Series and earning a spot on the All-Tournament Team in Omaha. Two of Russo's formers players, Chuck Alben and Greg LaCasse, offered words of remembrance for their coach and mentor.
The event, which also featured remarks from Blankmeyer and Director of Athletics Mike Cragg, was punctuated with words from the legendary Jack Kaiser, a 1949 graduate of the University who has dedicated more than 70 years of service to his alma mater.
"Each person in this room right now is a positive influence in making St. John's Baseball a success," said Kaiser, the University's athletic director emeritus. "Each person in this room is valuable to me. I'm so, so happy that you are all St. John's University former student-athletes. There aren't any better than you."
The event honored several individuals that have played significant roles in the growth and development of the St. John's baseball program over the years. Bob Hirschfield '70C, '75 GED and Mike Fahid '01 ED, '13GCPS were both recognized with the Coach Jack Kaiser Baseball Advocate Award, the highest honor presented to an alumnus, benefactor, friend, parent or fan of St. John's Baseball. Both men played their collegiate baseball in Queens before staying involved with the program in different ways. Fahid coached alongside Ed Blankmeyer and helps run the program's summer baseball camps, while Hirschfield entered the broadcast booth for Red Storm home games following a 29-year coaching career at NYIT.
The 2012 Super Regional Team was also recognized for its place in the long and storied history of St. John's Baseball. The first St. John's squad to hold the BIG EAST Regular Season and Tournament titles concurrently, the Johnnies also became the first Red Storm team to advance to a super regional after taking three straight games, including two over North Carolina, at the Chapel Hill Regional.
Joe Russo, who guided the program for more than two decades, was also honored. Russo, who passed away in May, took over the reins of the program from Jack Kaiser in 1974 and went on to record 612 wins over the next 22 seasons. Russo also excelled as a player for the Redmen, captaining the 1966 team to the College World Series and earning a spot on the All-Tournament Team in Omaha. Two of Russo's formers players, Chuck Alben and Greg LaCasse, offered words of remembrance for their coach and mentor.
The event, which also featured remarks from Blankmeyer and Director of Athletics Mike Cragg, was punctuated with words from the legendary Jack Kaiser, a 1949 graduate of the University who has dedicated more than 70 years of service to his alma mater.
"Each person in this room right now is a positive influence in making St. John's Baseball a success," said Kaiser, the University's athletic director emeritus. "Each person in this room is valuable to me. I'm so, so happy that you are all St. John's University former student-athletes. There aren't any better than you."
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