August 06, 2012
Certain things just seem to go well together, which is what
makes the Jack Kaiser Golf Classic such a special event.
Photo gallery
The
more than 160 alumni and friends who gathered at the Garden City
Country Club had much in common. They all shared a love of
baseball, a strong connection to St. John’s University, and a deep
and lasting affection for the man for whom the event is named –
Coach John W. “Jack” Kaiser ’49C.
For the past 15 years, this popular event, formerly known as the
Bullpen Golf Outing, has provided guests with an opportunity to
enjoy a wonderful day of golf while generating support for the St.
John’s baseball program. It was renamed this year to honor Coach
Kaiser for his many years of service to and support of the
University.
“I feel honored and humbled,” said Kaiser. “Of all the great people
who have been a part of the St. John’s baseball program, the
University chose to name this event after me. Words really can’t
adequately expresses how I feel. I have to say that it’s very
special for me, because I get to see so many of the great players
whom I’ve had the honor to coach in the past, as well as to show my
appreciation to the alumni who, year after year, come back to
generously support our baseball program.”
The
generosity of St. John’s alumni has always been important in
maintaining the traditions of excellence that have characterized
the Red Storm baseball team for so long. Baseball was added as a
BIG EAST Conference sport in 1985, and after a successful season
St. John’s became the inaugural BIG EAST Tournament champion.
This year’s team reached even greater heights by earning a spot in
the NCAA Regionals. Head Coach Ed Blankmeyer believes that alumni
support is a vital factor in the team’s ongoing success.
“Events like this allow us to look to the past while helping us
plan for the future,” said Blankmeyer. “We’ve had some great
baseball alumni, and with their assistance, they’ve helped us raise
funds to improve our program and to improve our status in the BIG
EAST. Our alumni always step forward. The bottom line is that the
funds raised and the goodwill generated from this event are very
helpful in supporting our program.”
A
highlight of the event is the presentation of the Jack Kaiser
Advocate Award. It is the highest honor that the baseball program
bestows on an alumnus, benefactor, parent, coach or fan who have
been determined to possess the same characteristics of Coach Kaiser
– loyalty, dedication, hard work and exceptional support of the
baseball program.
This year’s recipients were Frank Franceschini ’60C, ’62GEd and
Bill Permakoff ’67Ed, ’77GEd.
“I pitched on the 1960 team,” recalled Franceschini, “and the guys
on the team were absolutely great. Receiving this award is one of
the nicest things that ever happened to me. Jack Kaiser’s name is
affixed to the award, and for anyone who knows Coach Kaiser, it’s
an honor and a privilege to receive an award that bears his name.
The man is St. John’s, and we all
love
St. John’s. Another great thing about this day is that the
friendships you make when you’re playing baseball last a lifetime,
and we renew them at times like this.”
Before receiving his award, Permakoff reminisced about his
days at St. John’s both on and off the field. A third baseman and
captain of the 1967 team, he spoke of how Coach Kaiser was one of
the people whom he most respected from his first days on campus. He
acknowledged that the passage of time has only deepened his
admiration for this exceptional mentor.
“Receiving this award is so very special for me,” he said. ”It
means that I’ll always be associated with Coach’s name, and that’s
something I’ll never forget. I’ll live with and cherish this honor
forever.”
Although Lee Eisenberg, M.D. ’67C wasn’t a member of the baseball
team, he got to know many of the players as the result of his
duties as a student athletic trainer during the mid-1960s. He was
eager to catch up with people whom he hadn’t seen in many years,
and was happy to support the University that has always been an
important part of his life.
“St.
John’s means a tremendous amount to me,” he said. “I was the first
person in my family to go to college, and from what I know of the
University today it’s pretty much still that way. St. John’s has
always been very good to me. It got me where I am today, and I’ll
always be grateful for that. Today was a good opportunity for me to
see people that I haven’t seen in awhile, and since I took up golf
for the first time two years ago, it was fun to play today. “
As a former member of the women’s basketball team, Maureen Brennan
’86C knows that the bonds that develop among student-athletes
frequently last long after their playing days are over. Her oldest
brother [Robert Dillon ’74C, ’90Ed.D.] was a member of the St.
John’s baseball team and when she learned that her brother and his
friends were coming to this event, she made sure to be
included.
“I recently took up golf,” she said, “and it was fun to come here
and play golf with my brother and his friends, whom I know. Plus,
it was nice to see some of the other athletes whom I knew from when
we were all students. I have so much to thank St. John’s for. I
went to the University on a full basketball scholarship and I got a
great education. St. John’s was, and is, a wonderful, wonderful
place.”