St. John's University Athletics
St. John’s Named Co-Winner of John Thompson Jr. Award
9/4/2024 12:00:00 PM | General
The Red Storm athletic department earned the BIG EAST’s top honor alongside Villanova for its efforts in social change
QUEENS, N.Y. (September 4, 2024) – The St. John's Department of Athletics has been named a co-winner in the fourth installment of the John Thompson Jr. Award on Wednesday, given annually to recognize an individual, team or athletic department that has made significant efforts to fight prejudice and discrimination and advance positive social change. The league's committee, who also selected Villanova for their conjoined efforts, makes the announcement two days after what would have been Thompson's 83rd birthday.
"St. John's University is proud to be recognized with this year's John Thompson Jr. Award," said University President Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., Ph. D. "This award is a testament to the transformative work of our Athletics staff to actualize the Catholic and Vincentian mission of St. John's and to answer the Vincentian question of 'What must be done?'
"A dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion is at the heart of our mission. St. John's is committed to institutionalizing practices of inclusive excellence to ensure that we welcome and celebrate the intrinsic worth of all members of our community. Congratulations to all involved and the co-award winner, Villanova University."
St. John's initiatives begin with the department's Athletics Council for Community, Culture and Social Justice (CCCSJ), led by Senior Associate Athletic Director for Student Services Eric Rienecker. The group celebrated its fourth annual Johnnies United Week from Nov. 6-11, 2023, with programming dedicated to continuing conversations on equality and inclusion among all marginalized groups.
This year's focus was to build unity and community to foster inclusive excellence on the university's 17 teams and within the department. Through seminars, fundraisers and various events, the St. John's Athletics community put the concepts of diversity, equity and inclusion into action.
"We are honored as a university to receive the highest honor from the conference in our ongoing efforts to fight prejudice and discrimination while progressing positive change in our community," Interim Director of Athletics John Diffley said. "Coach Thompson was a strong advocate for change and challenged societal norms to bring to light many of the injustices around those without a voice. His impact has remained steadfast and continues to resonate within the conference, its schools and its student-athletes. St. John's, Georgetown and Villanova have always been fierce rivals in competition since the very beginning of the BIG EAST, however, in this space, we are united as one to be at the forefront of change."
A central theme of the CCCSJ's programming is the department's "Accept No Hate" campaign, an initiative that began in 2020 to fight racism and discrimination on and off the playing surface. The Red Storm continues to promote and embody the approach on a daily basis through community service events and its sportsmanship across competition. In addition, CCCSJ hosted a "Connect, Collaborate and Converse with the Women of St. John's" event in conjunction with the women's basketball team's 2024 opener against LIU. It was designed to bring together women from across campus to create, develop and support new formed relationships within the athletics sphere.
"Diversity and inclusion in college athletics are essential, not just for the success of the team, but for the broader impact sports can have on society," Rienecker said. "When athletes from all walks of life come together, they embody the power of sports to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes and drive positive social change. Through unity in diversity, we can transform the playing field into a platform for progress."
St. John's also provided a #StormChat session in building unity and community with former U.S. Olympic silver medalist and women's sports trailblazer Gail Marquis. The Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer discussed overcoming adversity and perseverance as a way to enhance unity and community through athletics.
Red Storm student-athletes also donned Johnnies United shirts throughout campus to celebrate, motivate and encourage support within the St. John's community. The campaign also featured a social media push through the official athletics team accounts to further raise awareness.
"St. John's University is proud to be recognized with this year's John Thompson Jr. Award," said University President Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., Ph. D. "This award is a testament to the transformative work of our Athletics staff to actualize the Catholic and Vincentian mission of St. John's and to answer the Vincentian question of 'What must be done?'
"A dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion is at the heart of our mission. St. John's is committed to institutionalizing practices of inclusive excellence to ensure that we welcome and celebrate the intrinsic worth of all members of our community. Congratulations to all involved and the co-award winner, Villanova University."
St. John's initiatives begin with the department's Athletics Council for Community, Culture and Social Justice (CCCSJ), led by Senior Associate Athletic Director for Student Services Eric Rienecker. The group celebrated its fourth annual Johnnies United Week from Nov. 6-11, 2023, with programming dedicated to continuing conversations on equality and inclusion among all marginalized groups.
This year's focus was to build unity and community to foster inclusive excellence on the university's 17 teams and within the department. Through seminars, fundraisers and various events, the St. John's Athletics community put the concepts of diversity, equity and inclusion into action.
"We are honored as a university to receive the highest honor from the conference in our ongoing efforts to fight prejudice and discrimination while progressing positive change in our community," Interim Director of Athletics John Diffley said. "Coach Thompson was a strong advocate for change and challenged societal norms to bring to light many of the injustices around those without a voice. His impact has remained steadfast and continues to resonate within the conference, its schools and its student-athletes. St. John's, Georgetown and Villanova have always been fierce rivals in competition since the very beginning of the BIG EAST, however, in this space, we are united as one to be at the forefront of change."
A central theme of the CCCSJ's programming is the department's "Accept No Hate" campaign, an initiative that began in 2020 to fight racism and discrimination on and off the playing surface. The Red Storm continues to promote and embody the approach on a daily basis through community service events and its sportsmanship across competition. In addition, CCCSJ hosted a "Connect, Collaborate and Converse with the Women of St. John's" event in conjunction with the women's basketball team's 2024 opener against LIU. It was designed to bring together women from across campus to create, develop and support new formed relationships within the athletics sphere.
"Diversity and inclusion in college athletics are essential, not just for the success of the team, but for the broader impact sports can have on society," Rienecker said. "When athletes from all walks of life come together, they embody the power of sports to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes and drive positive social change. Through unity in diversity, we can transform the playing field into a platform for progress."
St. John's also provided a #StormChat session in building unity and community with former U.S. Olympic silver medalist and women's sports trailblazer Gail Marquis. The Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer discussed overcoming adversity and perseverance as a way to enhance unity and community through athletics.
Red Storm student-athletes also donned Johnnies United shirts throughout campus to celebrate, motivate and encourage support within the St. John's community. The campaign also featured a social media push through the official athletics team accounts to further raise awareness.
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