St. John's University Athletics
Joanne Persico to be Honored With Dr. Pamela Shea-Byrnes Award at St. John’s Bread and Life’s Johnny’s Angels Awards
4/18/2025 1:08:00 PM | General, Women's Volleyball
The longtime Red Storm volleyball head coach will be honored next Thursday at Giando on The Water in Brooklyn
QUEENS, N.Y. – St. John's Volleyball Head Coach Joanne Persico will be presented with the Dr. Pamela Shea-Byrnes Award at the 27th Annual St. John's Bread and Life's Johnny's Angels Awards on Thursday, April 24th at Giando on the Water in Brooklyn, N.Y.
The event will kick off at 6 p.m. with a cocktail hour on Giando's waterfront patio, before transitioning into the awards dinner at 7 p.m. The annual award ceremony raises funds and awareness for St. John's Bread and Life's emergency food programs and essential human services, while honoring outstanding individuals that reflect the Vincentian spirit of the organization.
Persico, the sole head coach in the volleyball program's 31-year history, is fresh off her 14th 20-win season, which saw the Red Storm qualify for its 13th BIG EAST Tournament and its third-straight NIVC Tournament berth. The Red Storm advanced all the way to the NIVC Fab Four in 2024, marking the furthest round the Johnnies have advanced to in any national postseason tournament.
As the architect of the Red Storm volleyball program, Persico has earned 593 wins across her illustrious career, which ranks 12th among active head coaches and paces the BIG EAST.
Last September, the three-time BIG EAST Coach of the Year was honored with the 2024 St. John's Vincentian Mission Award at the university's Vincentian Convocation for her personal commitment to the St. John's mission through active and sustained service to others. Throughout her coaching career, she has been inducted into Syracuse's Orange Plus Hall of Fame, the Catholic High School Athletics Hall of Fame, the St. Francis Prep High School Hall of Fame and the St. Francis Prep Ring of Honor.
The winningest coach in BIG EAST history has spent countless hours building a volleyball community for youth players. She is currently a member of the CYO board and has previously served as the Vice President, helping to bring volleyball to youth players around New York. In addition, Persico serves on the Board of Trustees at her alma mater, St. Francis Prep, giving back to the students in her local Queens Community.
To learn more about the St. John's Bread and Life and the Johnny's Angels Awards, visit its website by clicking here.