Archbishop Molloy High School mourns the passing of Mr. Lou Carnesecca (1925-2024) on November 30th at the age of 99. A hall of fame coach, an inspiring leader, and a friend to all, Mr. Carnesecca enjoyed a remarkable career highlighted by his passion for coaching, his respect for each player and colleague, his faith, and his signature contagious enthusiasm.
Mr. Carnesecca was born and raised in New York City in 1925. After graduating from St. Ann’s Academy in 1943, he served in the United States Coast Guard during World War II for three years. After returning home, he enrolled at St. John’s University, where he played basketball and baseball. As a student-athlete at St. John’s, he was a talented utility infielder, achieving a batting average over .300. Mr. Carnesecca notably played in St. John’s first College World Series in 1949. Just one year later, he returned to St. Ann’s Academy, where he taught health and civics in addition to beginning his storied coaching career. As St. Ann’s head coach, Mr. Carnesecca won two CHSAA City Championships in basketball (1952, 1958) and two in baseball (1950, 1955). After St. Ann’s Academy moved to Queens and became Archbishop Molloy High School in 1957, Mr. Carnesecca coached the Stanners for one more year before moving on to nearby St. John’s, where he served as assistant coach under the tutelage of head coach Joe Lapchick. This move paved the way for another legendary coach, Jack Curran, to begin forging his own path to success after succeeding Mr. Carnesecca as Molloy’s head basketball and baseball coach in 1958.
After succeeding Coach Lapchick in 1965, Mr. Carnesecca would go on to author an incredible coaching career at his college alma mater, all the while changing countless lives for the better. Mr. Carnesecca achieved a record of 526 wins and 200 losses over 24 seasons leading the university’s men’s basketball team. (’65-’70, ’73-’92). The Johnnies became mainstays in the playoffs, reaching the postseason every year under his leadership, including a Final Four appearance in 1985. Mr. Carnesecca’s time at St. John’s was also highlighted by international play, including tours in Spain and Yugoslavia, as well as running clinics in a many different countries. In 1970, Mr. Carnesecca entered the arena of pro ball, coaching the New York Nets of the American Basketball Association for three seasons.
Mr. Carnesecca is a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame, and the Stanner Hall of Fame. He was voted National Coach of the Year in 1983 and 1985 by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association, and he is a three-time recipient of the Big East Conference Coach of the Year Award (1983, 1985, 1986). In 2004, St. John’s University’s Alumni Hall was renamed Carnesecca Arena, in recognition of the incredible impact of the legendary coach on the university.
In a 2012 interview with MSG Varsity, Mr. Carnesecca spoke about his high school alma mater, now known as Archbishop Molloy High School. “The great tradition, the heritage Molloy has, I mean not only in athletics, which is unbelievable, but the academics have really blossomed. You can’t get into this place! I know I couldn’t! College coaches go after good kids – that’s the big thing. They come to Molloy for not only good athletes, but very good students as well. It’s amazing, the reputation this school has. It’s one of the great high schools in this country. You’re proud to be a Stanner.”
Molloy’s President, Richard Karsten ’81, shared the following statement: “As one of our school’s original lay faculty members, Coach Carnesecca set the tone for excellence on and off the court. His contributions to basketball at the high school, college, and pro levels changed the game, and he inspired others to coach and play with passion and honor. His leadership, loyalty, and faith truly exemplified the Stanner spirit in every way. The Molloy and St. John’s University communities will miss him, his wit, and his amazingly detailed stories of championship games over the decades. On behalf of everyone at Molloy, I extend my deepest condolences to Mr. Carnesecca’s family, friends, players, and colleagues. May he rest in peace.”
Mr. Carnesecca is survived by his wife of 73 years, Mary, and his beloved family – daughter Enes, son-in-law Gerard (Jerry), granddaughter Ieva and fiancé Frank, niece and nephew, Susan Chiesa, John Chiesa and his wife, Nancy – and his extended family and many friends.
Visitation
Thursday, December 5, 2024
2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Thomas F. Dalton Funeral Homes
125 Hillside Ave.
New Hyde Park, NY 11040
Funeral Mass
Friday, December 6, 2024
10 a.m.
St. Thomas More Church
St. John’s University
8000 Utopia Pkwy
Jamaica, NY 11439
Private Burial
Expressions of sympathy be sent to:
St. John’s University
Office of the President
8000 Utopia Pkwy
Newman Hall, 3rd Floor
Queens, NY 11439