'We have the best fans': Spirits run high as the Red Storm head to March Madness
QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11) -- This is the first time since 2000 that the team has won the Big East championship.
Everyone on campus is now hoping they become the 2025 NCAA champions.
“The spirit and the energy are absolutely incredible, I’ve never experienced something like this,” said Sofia Manfredi.
That’s the spirit in every corner of the St. John’s University campus in Jamaica, Queens, as the men’s basketball team is headed to their first game of the NCAA tournament in Providence, Rhode Island.
The enthusiasm was high Tuesday evening before the team hit the road hit the road.
“We have the best coach in the whole tournament, the best fans, we just going to win this whole thing,” said Mat, a sophomore at the university.
Students, staff, alumni, family, and friends, are all rooting for the team wishing them good luck, and hoping they bring home the championship
“We really exploded this year and the whole university, the whole city of NY is excited about what’s going on,” said Father Richard Rock, the Campus Minister for Athletics.
These young men already are more than champions to someone like little Tyrane, who was waiting to get his basketball signed by the players. What does he like the most about them?
“Their skills,” he responded. Something he wants to learn too.
The Red Storm is going into the tournament as the number two seed in the west region with 30 wins and 4 losses this season.
“I’ve been a fan my whole life, we have the best coach in the whole world, we are expecting a national championship here in April,” said Pat.
“There is so much excitement for the team, the university. Players are extremely happy; coaches are happy, and New York City is, extremely. Because we are St. John’s University,” added Father Rock.
St. John's will face Omaha in the first round of the 2025 March Madness on Thursday night.
“Our eyes will be glued to that TV rooting for our Johnnies,” concluded Mat.