St. John's University Athletics
St. John’s Remembers Walt Brady
9/2/2020 11:49:00 AM | Baseball, Men's Basketball
Former baseball and basketball standout passed away at the age of 85
QUEENS, N.Y. – St. John's Athletics mourns the passing of Walt Brady, a former baseball and basketball standout at the University who passed away on Aug. 28 at the age of 85.
Part of the last cohort to play in Brooklyn's DeGray Gym, Brady began competing for the Redmen on the hardwood as a sophomore in 1954-55. After averaging 6.1 and 6.0 points as a sophomore and junior, respectively, Brady's best campaign came as a senior in 1956-57, when he averaged 6.7 points per game and the Redmen went 14-9 in their first season following Joe Lapchick's return from the New York Knicks. His leadership was instrumental in laying the foundation for a group that would go on to win the NIT two years later in 1959.
On the diamond, Brady played his first season for Dusty DeStefano before Jack Kaiser took over the team for the 1956 and 1957 campaigns. During each of those final two seasons, Brady helped lead St. John's to NCAA Tournament appearances, as the team went 16-4 and 21-5, respectively. He enjoyed his best individual season as a junior in 1956, hitting .303 and striking out just four times in 76 at-bats.
At the conclusion of his college days, Brady signed with the Boston Red Sox and played three years in the minor leagues, rising as high as Triple-A in 1959 and 1960.
Brady then began a long and successful career as an insurance executive, working 35 years for New York Life Insurance Company before retiring in 1998. A devout Catholic, Brady then began serving as a deacon in both New York and Florida.
Brady is survived by his wife, Dorothy, and their six children, 17 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the family will be holding a small, private service and intend to have a public celebration of his life at a later date.
Part of the last cohort to play in Brooklyn's DeGray Gym, Brady began competing for the Redmen on the hardwood as a sophomore in 1954-55. After averaging 6.1 and 6.0 points as a sophomore and junior, respectively, Brady's best campaign came as a senior in 1956-57, when he averaged 6.7 points per game and the Redmen went 14-9 in their first season following Joe Lapchick's return from the New York Knicks. His leadership was instrumental in laying the foundation for a group that would go on to win the NIT two years later in 1959.
On the diamond, Brady played his first season for Dusty DeStefano before Jack Kaiser took over the team for the 1956 and 1957 campaigns. During each of those final two seasons, Brady helped lead St. John's to NCAA Tournament appearances, as the team went 16-4 and 21-5, respectively. He enjoyed his best individual season as a junior in 1956, hitting .303 and striking out just four times in 76 at-bats.
At the conclusion of his college days, Brady signed with the Boston Red Sox and played three years in the minor leagues, rising as high as Triple-A in 1959 and 1960.
Brady then began a long and successful career as an insurance executive, working 35 years for New York Life Insurance Company before retiring in 1998. A devout Catholic, Brady then began serving as a deacon in both New York and Florida.
Brady is survived by his wife, Dorothy, and their six children, 17 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the family will be holding a small, private service and intend to have a public celebration of his life at a later date.
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