In Game
St. John’s splits their home basketball games between the quaint Carnesecca Arena and the world famous Madison Square Garden. The two venues offer very different experiences. However, no matter where you see a Red Storm game you’ll have an excellent time.
Carnesecca Arena on the St. John’s campus in Queens seats approximately 6,000 and provides a fun collegiate feel to anyone in attendance. The small arena puts the fans right on top of the action, and you’ll be seated right next to St. John’s diehards who live and die with their team. Carnesecca Arena also presents an excellent opportunity to learn more about the Red Storm’s past thanks to the large amount of memorabilia on display and the banners hanging above the court.
When a major opponent comes to town, the Red Storm play their home games at Madison Square Garden. A Red Storm game offers fans an excellent opportunity to see their team play on one of the world’s most famous stages for a relatively reasonable price. MSG is chalked full of things to see including the Garden 366 display and the 20 Defining Moments exhibits. Even if you’re not a fan of the Red Storm a trip to see a St. John’s game at Madison Square Garden is still something every college hoops fan should experience at least once.
No matter what venue you see a St. John’s basketball game at, you’ll have a great time as both arena’s offer unique experiences. Many die-hard college hoops fans will want to take in games at both venues, so plan your trip accordingly.
Things to check out
St. John’s Basketball Memorabilia
When attending a St. John’s game at Carnesecca Arena, take some time to view all of the St. John’s basketball memorabilia on display. You can even see Louie Carnesecca’s famous sweater on display, so don’t miss your chance to see all kinds of great St. John’s memorabilia.
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Banners
At Carnesecca Arena, the Red Storm have lots of banners honoring all of the program’s accomplishments from over the years. Take in the banners to remember St. John’s glory days.
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Garden 366
Garden 366 wraps around the entire MSG concourse and displays a thrilling moment in the arena’s history for each day of the year. The exhibit does an excellent job of showcasing the arena’s history, so make sure to check it out during your visit to The Garden.
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20 Defining Moments
The 20 Defining Moments exhibit inside Madison Square Garden shows off the biggest and best moments in the arena’s history. The exhibit displays photos and memorabilia from the events and is must see for any history or sports buff.
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Sky Bridges
The sky bridges at MSG allow you to be right over the action. The bridges offer an incredible one of a kind view of the action on the court, making them a must-see for any visiting fan.
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Garden Vision
MSG’s state of the art scoreboard will blow you away. It even offers mini-scoreboards underneath, so you won’t have to strain your neck when sitting courtside.
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Championship and Retired Number Banners
Hanging from the fabled rafters of Madison Square Garden you’ll see banners honoring all the great Knicks and Rangers players and teams of the past. Make sure to snap a picture of these awesome banners during your visit.
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MSG All Access Tour
Don’t miss your chance to see the ins and outs of the World’s Most Famous Arena. Tours run daily from 9:30 am to 3:00 so arrive early to take the tour and make a day of it in Midtown Manhattan.
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Johnny Thunderbird
Johnny Thunderbird became the official mascot of the Red Storm in 2009 and has been entertaining crowds ever since. Johnny has quickly become a big part of St. John’s basketball games, so keep an eye out for him when attending a Red Storm game.
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Pep Band
The St. John’s pep band energizes the crowd with their tunes and creates a lively in-game atmosphere. The pep band plays all kinds of music and is one of the best parts of attending a St. John’s game whether it’s at Carnesecca Arena or Madison Square Garden.
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Cheer and Dance Teams
Nobody pumps up the crowd at a Red Storm game like the St. John’s cheer team, and nobody entertains the crowd like the dance team. Both spirit groups do an excellent job of creating a fun in-game atmosphere and are a can’t miss aspect of any St. John’s game.
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Fight Songs
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“Johnnie Fight Song”
Fight, you Johnnies! Fight you Johnnies!
Stand and fight like men for old Saint John’s.
Fight, you Johnnies! Fight you Johnnies!
You are Alma Mater’s own true sons.
Show the world what S J U can do;
The fighting Johnnies spirit will win through.
Make the vict’ry greater for your dear old Alma Mater
and the Cardinal and Blue.Rah! Rah! Rah! Rah! Rah! U-rah! Saint John’s
Rah! Rah! Rah! Rah! Rah! U-rah! Saint John’s -
“St. John’s University Alma Mater”
Thy Children here today, galore,
Old St. John’s! Our dear St. John’s!
And true will they be ever more,
Old St. John’s! Our dear St. John’s!
Thy colors bright, the Red and White,
We’ll wave aloft from morn ’til night,
Victorious, we’ll show our might,
Old St. John’s! Our dear St. John’s!
From fervent hearts we breathe our prayer,
Old St. John’s! Our dear St. John’s!
As we commend thee to His care,
Old St. John’s! Our dear St. John’s!
That He will guard thee by His might,
And be thy shield in every fight,
Thou champion of sacred rite,
Old St. John’s! Our dear St. John’s! -
SJU!
SJU!
