Lou Carnesecca Inducted in 1993
Lou Carnesecca
Lou Carnesecca attended high school at St. Ann's Academy in Manhattan (now academic and athletic powerhouse Archbishop Molloy High School). He graduated from St. John's in 1950. He also coached his high school alma mater, St. Ann's, where he was succeeded by Jack Curran. After beginning his coaching career at St. John's in 1965, Carnesecca jumped to the pro level. He was head coach and general manager of the American Basketball Association's New York Nets for three seasons from 1970 to 1973. The ballclub qualified for the postseason in each of the three campaigns with Carnesecca at the helm. The 1971–72 Nets finished third in the regular season but reached the ABA Finals where they were defeated by the Indiana Pacers in six games. Despite the loss of Rick Barry and a 30–53 record, the Nets edged out the Memphis Tams for fourth place and the final playoff berth in the Eastern Division in 1972–73.
Carnesecca announced his return to St. John's on March 27, 1973. He replaced Frank Mulzoff, his successor from three years earlier who had resigned after a 19–7 campaign. He had two years out of a total of five remaining on his Nets contract in which he was to have received about $200,000 spread over seven years. His $22,000 salary at St. John's meant that he took a financial loss in the transition. He explained, "I've had my whack at pro ball and I'm very happy with it. But when the opportunity arose to return to St. John's, I wanted to go back." Career highlights include 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), 2× Henry Iba Award (1983, 1985), NABC Coach of the Year (1983), UPI Coach of the Year (1985), and 3× Big East Coach of the Year (1983, 1985, 1986).
Carnesecca announced his return to St. John's on March 27, 1973. He replaced Frank Mulzoff, his successor from three years earlier who had resigned after a 19–7 campaign. He had two years out of a total of five remaining on his Nets contract in which he was to have received about $200,000 spread over seven years. His $22,000 salary at St. John's meant that he took a financial loss in the transition. He explained, "I've had my whack at pro ball and I'm very happy with it. But when the opportunity arose to return to St. John's, I wanted to go back." Career highlights include 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), 2× Henry Iba Award (1983, 1985), NABC Coach of the Year (1983), UPI Coach of the Year (1985), and 3× Big East Coach of the Year (1983, 1985, 1986).