With the mark of media day for all programs and sports franchise that means the reset button for the upcoming season is officially begun. That means that the organization and learning about the new faces by the Coaching Staff is under way, that means the unveiling of the schedule is released and most importantly of all that means the start of another year.
For the St. John’s Athletics Department there is a new enthusiasm and excitement surrounding both the Men’s and the Women’s Basketball squads.
As the University’s 2023 Media Day started, it did so with the Women’s Basketball program and 12th Year Head Coach Joe Tartamella. Lovingly called Coach T by many, ever since he stepped to the helm of the program, as he thus far as a overall record of 205-143.
During the 2022-23 season he received the BIG EAST Coach of the Year award and even got to be a semifinalist for the Naismith National Coach of the Year award.
Coach T during the past season, helped to lead the Women’s Basketball team to their first NCAA Tournament since 2016. Every team that Coach T leads finds success as they always play an exciting and fast-paced style of basketball.
To see more thoughts from Coach T and Coach Pitino fans are encouraged to check out the video below:
Fans are also encouraged to check out the following photos…taken by: Stacy Podelski/1495 Sports:
During the team’s media session Coach T talked about his squad and how he is going to have a bit of a younger squad than normal but one that he feels has a ton of potential.
Just one of the players to watch for in the 2023 edition of the St. John’s University Women’s Basketball squad is going to be Unique Drake, as she is coming from a 2022-23 season where she was named to the 2022-23 BIG EAST Sixth Woman of the Year Award on March 2.
Another name familiar is Jillian Archer as the Graduate Student, as she comes back to the team after being ranked eighth in the BIG EAST averaging 7.7 rebounds per game.
One of the new players to watch for in the guard spot for the Red Storm is going to be Amber Brown as she brings experience from her time with Pitt. Brown ranks 10th all-time in Pittsburgh history in career rebounds (680).
During the team’s media day Coach T seemed to light up when it came time to talking about his Guards, Especially the addition of Ber’Nyah Mayo to his roster.
Mayo comes to St. John’s University having played at the University of Mass team where she is named as the Atlantic 10 All-Conference Second Team, the Atlantic 10 All Tournament MVP, and setting a UMass season record with 85 steals.
After the breakout sessions were completed with the Women’s Basketball team the St. John’s Men’s Basketball team then took the stage, as first year Head Coach Rick Pitino sat down to share some of his thoughts about the team.
Pitino going into his 36th season at the NCAA Division 1 level, shared his excitement on leading the Men’s Basketball team to getting the brand of the Red Storm back to the buzz that it once had.
Very similar to when Pitino joined the New York Knicks in 1987, Coach Rick once again spoke eloquently on his team, on about how he can help the University when it comes time for growing as a brand and about some of his memorable moments thus far in his early time as a representative of the program.
For those fans of the Men’s Basketball team, they are going to be seeing a completely different looking team than last year, as there is only one returning starter in Joel Soriano.
Soriano is the 2023 BIG EAST Most Improved player along with the All-BIG EAST Second Team Selection as he averaged 15.2 points and 11.9 rebounds per game (ranked for 4th in the NCAA total in the country and the most by a Johnnie in a single season.
There are going to be a ton of exciting new names to watch for on the Men’s Basketball team, starting with Jordan Dingle, as he is coming to the roster after playing at Penn. Dingle is the 2023 Ivy League Player of the Year in addition to ranking second in Division 1 averaging 23.4 points per game.
Then there is Daniss Jenkins, a graduate student from Iona. Jenkins is the 2023 All-MAAC selection and a huge part of the team that went to the NCAA Tournament, along with leading the MAAC and ranking in the top-50 in Division 1 with his 4.9 assists per game.
Finally, fans are going to get the chance to see Chris Ledlum play. Ledlum coming from Harvard as a 2023 First Team All-Ivy League selection, averaging 13.6 points and 6.7 rebounds.
After many months of preparation and planning time is flying by quickly for the official start of the season for both squads.
For the Women’s Basketball team starts up the 2023 season against LIU on Monday, November 6 at Carnesecca Arena. Tip off time is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. with fans wanting to watch the action can do so on the FloSports network.
As for the Men’s Basketball team time is going to go by even quicker, as the team starts things off with an exhibition game, with the proceeds going to the Dick Vitale Pediatric Cancer Research against a very well Coached Rutgers University. That game is going to be played at Carnesecca Arena with the tip of that scheduled to start at 2:00 p.m.
For more information on the St. John’s Athletics Department fans are encouraged to click on the link seen here:
Turn Passion into Purpose | St. John’s University (stjohns.edu)