St Johns Red Storm History

Mission

In the Vincentian framework, the St. John's University Athletic Department is an environment where academic freedom, a spirit of inquiry and respect for each individual's worth and dignity prevail alongside intercollegiate and recreational sports. St. John's University provides students and athletes with a positive collegiate experience, through student-centered education, preparation for lifelong learning, and service to others. The Athletic Department promotes diversity by welcoming men and women of different ages, races, religious beliefs and cultural backgrounds to participate in its activities.

Athletic Department personnel foster collaborative relationships with student-athletes in a nurturing environment that will enhance intellectual, ethical, spiritual, athletic and social development.

St. John's Athletics is committed to providing all student-athletes an equal opportunity to learn and be successful in an environment that promotes academic and athletic excellence.

The Athletic program operates within the spirit of the rules and regulations of the University and Athletic governing bodies, of which we are members.

St. John's Athletics is committed to ensuring that our programs are an enduring source of pride to our student-athletes, staff, alumni and University communities.

In the spirit of the Institution's commitment to service, the department fosters an environment which promotes community support from our employees, student-athletes, and alumni to uphold our moral duty of helping others.

We are...St. John's!

History

St. John's University, founded in 1870, has a rich tradition of athletic success. Men's basketball has been a staple of the institution since 1907, and the women's program began the dawn of a new era in 1974.

What keeps the spirit alive in all athletic endeavors is the dedication and devotion of our loyal support groups. The St. John's pep band, under the direction of John Holohan, performs at men's home basketball and football contests. The SJU Dance Team (coached by Christine Kress) and Cheerleaders (coached by Matt Sonberg and Alyssa Roenigk) also keep fans in tune with the action, performing their routines during breaks in the action at Madison Square Garden, Alumni Hall, and DaSilva Field.

These support groups work tirelessly behind the scenes, practicing two and three times a week during each athletic season. Some partial scholarship awards are given in these support groups, justifying the hard work and devotion these student-athletes put into their routine regime.

In addition, the University mascot "Thunder" performs at all home contests and is a large part of the ambiance of athletic home events. "Thunder" and his sidekick "Lightning" (a mini-version of Thunder) derive their monikers from St. John's nickname, The Red Storm (which began in 1994).