RIP Lou Carnesecca

By Jay Horwitz

My friendship with Looie goes back to the 1980’s when I used to journey to Queens and The Garden to watch the great Chris Mullins play and visit my dear friend Al LoBalbo who was a key member of Lou Carnesecca’s St. John’s staff.

I always will treasure the late night dinners we had a Dante’s to celebrate a win with Lou, Brian Mahoney, his wife Barbara, Al and Ruth LoBalbo and Ron Rutledge. I was always assured of getting at least two calls a year from Looie, one on Rosh Hashanah to wish me a Happy New Year and one in the spring to wish the Mets good luck for the upcoming season.

He loved the Mets, especially his St. John’s guys, John Franco, Frank Viola and Terry Bross. I remember the day at Shea Stadium when he threw out the pitch. It was a perfect strike. For his last three birthdays, I had Mets jerseys made up with 97, 98 and 99 on the back. I was working on the big one, 100, for his birthday on January 5.

My friends and I already purchased tickets for the Red Storm’s game with Butler on January 4th to celebrate. Sadly, that’s not going to happen. I got a call last night that Looie has passed away after a short illness. When he took ill this summer I was able to keep tabs on my friend through the kindness of his daughter Enes. I was even able to speak to him for a few minutes last week. Lou’s basketball status is his Hall of Fame membership and his 526 wins.

For me, he was just a kind, decent and humble person who cared deeply about people. I miss you Looie.