Lou Carnesecca facts for kids
Carnesecca in 2008
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| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 5, 1925 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | November 30, 2024 (aged 99) |
| Alma mater | St. John's |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1950–1958 | St. Ann's Academy HS |
| 1958–1965 | St. John's (assistant) |
| 1965–1970 | St. John's |
| 1970–1973 | New York Nets |
| 1973–1992 | St. John's |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 205–34 (high school) 526–200 (college) 114–138 (ABA) |
| Tournaments | 17–20 (NCAA Division I) 10–6 (NIT) |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
| NCAA Division I Regional – Final Four (1985) NIT (1989) 5 Big East regular season (1980, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1992) 2 Big East tournament (1983, 1986) 2 CHSAA (1952, 1958) |
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| Awards | |
| 2× Henry Iba Award (1983, 1985) NABC Coach of the Year (1983) UPI Coach of the Year (1985) 3× Big East Coach of the Year (1983, 1985, 1986) New York City Basketball Hall of Fame (1993) |
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| Basketball Hall of Fame Inducted in 1992 (profile) |
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| College Basketball Hall of Fame Inducted in 2006 |
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Luigi P. Carnesecca (born January 5, 1925 – died November 30, 2024) was a famous American basketball coach. People often called him "Looie." He was best known for coaching college basketball at St. John's University.
Coach Carnesecca also led a professional team, the New York Nets, for three seasons. He was so good that he was added to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992. He also joined the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993.
He coached the St. John's basketball team for 24 seasons. During his time, the team won 526 games and lost 200. His teams always made it to the postseason tournaments. In 1985, his team even reached the Final Four. He was named the National Coach of the Year in 1983 and 1985.
Carnesecca was known for his great sense of humor. He was also famous for wearing colorful sweaters. In 2004, St. John's University honored him by renaming their historic Alumni Hall to Carnesecca Arena.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Lou Carnesecca was born in New York City on January 5, 1925. His parents were immigrants from Italy. He went to high school at St. Ann's Academy in Manhattan. This school is now called Archbishop Molloy High School.
After high school, he joined the U.S. Coast Guard. He served for three years during World War II. He worked on a ship that carried troops in the Pacific Ocean.
Basketball Coaching Career
After his time in the Coast Guard, Carnesecca went to St. John's University. He graduated in 1950. He then started his coaching career at his old high school, St. Ann's.
In 1965, he began coaching at St. John's University. A few years later, he decided to coach at the professional level. From 1970 to 1973, he was the head coach and general manager for the ABA's New York Nets.
His professional team made it to the playoffs every year he coached them. In the 1971–72 season, the Nets finished third in their division. They even reached the ABA Finals but lost to the Indiana Pacers.
On March 27, 1973, Carnesecca announced he was returning to St. John's. He took a pay cut to go back to college coaching. He said he was happy with his time in pro basketball. But he really wanted to return to St. John's when the chance came up.
Carnesecca also worked as a TV announcer for the USA Network. He helped cover the yearly NBA drafts in the 1980s.
Highlights of His College Coaching at St. John's
Lou Carnesecca had a very successful career at St. John's.
- He coached the team for 24 seasons.
- His teams won 526 games and lost 200.
- They made it to the postseason every single year.
- In 1985, St. John's reached the NCAA Final Four. This is a huge achievement in college basketball.
- In 1989, his team won the NIT championship.
- He won the Big East regular season title five times.
- His teams also won the Big East tournament twice.
- He was named National Coach of the Year in 1983 and 1985.
- He also won the Big East Coach of the Year award three times.
Personal Life and Legacy
Lou Carnesecca married Mary Chiesa in 1951. They had one daughter together. He lived a long life and passed away on November 30, 2024, at 99 years old.
Carnesecca is remembered as a beloved figure in basketball. His humor, his sweaters, and his coaching success made him a legend. The arena named after him at St. John's University shows his lasting impact.
See also
In Spanish: Lou Carnesecca para niños
- List of NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament Final Four appearances by coach
