Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Dwight Williams (212) 788-2972
Joining the Mayor and the Red Storm at today's Blue Room event were City Council Speaker Peter Vallone, Queens Borough President Claire Shulman, Father Donald J. Harrington, President of St. John's University, Edward J. Manetta, Director of Athletics and Lou Carnesecca, legendary St. John's University basketball coach and Assistant to the President of Community Affairs.
"The St. John's soccer team, the first Red Storm team to ever win a national championship, represents the very best and brightest of New York City," Mayor Giuliani said. "The 23 young men on this team come from every corner of the globe, yet play together with a skill and determination that knows no boundary. But as dramatic as their championship season was, this team's greatest accomplishment comes in the classroom. These players are true student-athletes who juggle difficult course loads with a rigorous soccer schedule."
The Mayor continued, "I would also like to acknowledge the work of Head Coach Dave Masur and his assistant coaches Gary Book and Sean Kenny and salute the tournament's Most Valuable Player, Jesse Van Saun, who scored two goals in Sunday's championship game. On behalf of all New Yorkers, I congratulate the Red Storm for its historic performance in the NCAA Championships."
On December 15, 1996, the St. John's University Men's soccer team scored a decisive 4 - 1 victory over Florida International University to win the 1996 NCAA Division I Championship. With its victory, the squad became the first team in St. John's University history to win a national title, the first City soccer team to win the NCAA title and the first City university to capture a national crown since the CCNY basketball team won it in 1950.
| Carlo Acquista | Leonardo Arciniegas |
| Dani Braga | Jimmy Buscemi |
| Ranford Champagnie | Paul Cusano |
| Kris DaCosta | George Dakooh |
| Kevin Daly | Ben Hickey |
| Larry Hoffman | Ricardo Joseph |
| Pawel Krakowiak | Wojtek Krakowiak |
| Medufia Kulego | Michael Macieira |
| Peter McGovern | Stefani Miglioranzi |
| Giancarlo Petruccelli | Brent Sancho |
| Jesse Van Saun | Leigh Weston |
| Robert Wile |