St. John's gets $32.5 million gift to help fund basketball training facility and student scholarships
A rendering, for illustration purposes only, of the new St. John's basketball facilities that the school announced plans for in 2024. Credit: St. John's Athletics
Longtime St. John’s benefactor and chair of the school’s board of trustees William J. Janetschek has given the school the largest philanthropic gift in its 155-year history, a donation that not only benefits the school as a whole but will help keep its basketball teams competitive with the top programs in the country, the school announced Monday.
The $32.5 million donation includes $25 million to be directed to previously planned construction of a basketball training facility on the Queens campus. The other $7.5 million is to be directed to student scholarships.
“The generous contributions made by loyal alumni and by Board Chair Bill Janetschek exceed any monetary measure,” St. John’s president Rev. Brian J. Shanley said in the announcement. “Bill’s transformative gift will significantly enhance St. John’s basketball programs and provide student-athletes with unparalleled opportunities to excel both on and off the court.”
“We are incredibly grateful to Bill Janetschek for his visionary support,” men’s basketball coach Rick Pitino said in the announcement. “His donation will have a lasting impact on our program and our players. We look forward to seeing our students thrive in this exceptional new environment.”
Groundbreaking on the basketball training facility is expected before the end of the year. In addition to multiple practice courts, it will include modern strength and training equipment, tools for skill development, hydrotherapy pools and spaces for film study and team dining.
According to the announcement, it will also have areas for community engagement to foster “a sense of unity and collaboration among students, employees, and the community.”
“I believe in the power of sports to shape young minds and build strong communities,” Janetschek said in the announcement. “This facility will elevate St. John’s basketball program and inspire students to pursue and achieve their dreams with passion and dedication.”
The school said the facility is scheduled to be completed in 2027 and encouraged other supporters to join Janetschek in its campaigns to support its athletic programs.
Since Pitino was hired in March 2023, he has placed an emphasis on the need to improve the school’s facilities and modernize Carnesecca Arena. Since his arrival, spaces inside Taffner Fieldhouse — the current training facility — have been reallocated to meet the team's needs. For example, a portion of the practice courts now has weight training equipment and other rooms have been converted for film study. New seating is being installed in parts of Carnesecca Arena.
“The new basketball practice facility will be a game-changer for the women’s basketball program,” women’s basketball coach Joe Tartamella said in the announcement. “The facility will provide our student athletes with state-of-the-art resources to further develop their skills and elevate their performance. We are grateful to Bill Janetschek for his gift and his support of St John’s athletics.”
Janetschek retired as a partner and CFO of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. In addition to providing leadership for the board and pursuing other Catholic education initiatives, he is a guest lecturer and partner in The Executive-in-Residence Program at St. John’s Tobin College of Business.
“We thank Bill Janetschek for his incredible generosity to St John's,” Pitino wrote in a social media post. “Special Man and Supporter. Thank you, Bill!”
Roger Rubin returned to Newsday in 2018 to write about high schools, colleges and baseball following 20 years at the Daily News. A Baseball Hall of Fame voter since 2011, he has covered 13 MLB postseasons and 14 NCAA Final Fours.
