A funeral will be held Friday morning at St. Thomas More Church on the university’s Queens campus, and the athletic department will host a “Tribute to Coach Cornesica” during men’s and women’s basketball games at the arena later this week. Ga. in which he is named, St. John announced on Tuesday.
Led by coach Rick Pitino The Red Storm Men will play Kansas State Saturday as part of the Big 12-Big East battle. gave Women’s Squad will face Wake Forest On Sunday
Carnesika’s reserved seat 3 in Section 7, Row JJ, where he often attended games after his retirement in 1992, will remain vacant in his honour.
Both games will be preceded by a video tribute to Carnesica and a moment of silence inside the arena. A commemorative decal will be installed on the court, and St. John’s players will wear “526” shooting shirts to mark Carnesica’s career win total.
The school also plans to salute his life and legacy with digital billboards on the Long Island Expressway, the Whitestone Expressway and the New Jersey Turnpike.
The winningest coach in men’s program history, Cornecica went 526-200 in 24 seasons at St. John’s from 1965 to 1992. He led the team to five Big East regular season titles, 18 NCAA Tournament appearances and the 1985 Final Four.
St. John’s will also host Low Cornesica Day when the team plays. Butler on campus Jan. 4, one day before his 100th birthday.