St. John’s University Breaks Ground on New Basketball Facility and Recreational Upgrades

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Brian Browne
Associate Vice President of University Communications & Public Affairs
St. John's University
8000 Utopia Parkway
Queens, NY 11439
Tel 718-990-2762
Cell 917-561-7068
[email protected]

(QUEENS, NY, October 20, 2025) — St. John’s University broke ground on a new basketball practice facility that will serve as the first step in the renovation and modernization of student recreational resources across the Queens, NY, campus.

The October 18 groundbreaking featured remarks from members of University leadership, including the Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., President of St. John’s and Chair of the BIG EAST Conference Board of Directors. Joining Fr. Shanley in remarks were William J. Janetschek '84CBA, '17HON, Chair of the St. John’s Board of Trustees and retired Partner and Chief Financial Officer, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P.; and St. John’s Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Joseph E. Oliva '91CBA, '94L.

“This is the crowning piece of building up Men's and Women's basketball at St John's,” Fr. Shanley said. “I am deeply grateful to all who supported this. But this is not just about basketball; this is about the success of our University, and it is an important and pivotal moment for us.”

The new practice facility, located adjacent to Gate 4—near 175th Street and Union Turnpike—will serve as a training location for the Red Storm Men's and Women's basketball programs. The facility will include multiple practice courts, strength and conditioning areas, hydro-therapy pools, team lounges, and video review rooms. 

The new basketball facility is part of a larger effort to enhance campus recreation spaces, which will also include the renovation of Taffner Field House. This transformation will convert the 20-year-old structure into a vibrant recreational and wellness space for all students.

The new practice facility is expected to be ready by Spring 2027, and the renovated campus recreation center in Fall 2028. 

Led by Hall of Fame Coach Rick Pitino, the Red Storm Men’s team finished 31-5 in 2024-2025, winning the Big East championship for the first time in 25 years. The Women’s team has advanced to three National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Tournaments in Joe Tartamella’s 12 years as Head Coach.

“This is the beginning of a two-step process,” Mr. Oliva explained. “We expect to have a facility with all the best of what we need to support the Men's and Women's basketball teams. As soon as that is done, we will start the renovation of Taffner Field House as a recreational space for our students—to ensure that we can serve them also with a state-of-the-art facility.”

Construction of the approximately 50,000-square-foot basketball facility is led by Axis Construction Corporation, based in Hauppauge, NY. The University also contracted with Gensler, a global architecture and planning firm, for design of the practice facility.

Fundraising for the basketball facility began with a historic gift of $32.5 million from Mr. Janetschek, whose donation, announced in May, 2025, is the largest single financial commitment in St. John's 155-year history. The donation directs approximately $25 million toward the construction of the practice facility and $7.5 million toward student scholarships.

###

St. John’s University Basketball Facility Groundbreaking, October 18, 2025:

Video:
60 sec - https://vimeo.com/1128509666/e67097e4da?ts=0&share=copy

30 sec - https://vimeo.com/1128510059/511e762556?fl=ml&fe=ec

About St. John’s University

St. John’s University is a private, coeducational, Roman Catholic University founded in 1870 by the Congregation of the Mission (the Vincentians), with its main campus located in Queens, NY. St. John’s University also has campuses and locations in Manhattan, NY; Rome, Italy; Paris, France; and Limerick, Ireland.

St. John’s University is comprised of six Schools and Colleges, including the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, The Lesley H. and William L. Collins College of Professional Studies, St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, The Peter J. Tobin College of Business (including the Maurice R. Greenberg School of Risk Management, Insurance and Actuarial Science), The School of Education, and the School of Law.

As of Fall 2024, the University has more than 1,400 full-time and part-time faculty; almost 16,000 undergraduate students; and 3,749 graduate students from 45 states and 119 countries (and Washington, DC and the US Virgin Islands). St. John’s offers more than 200 undergraduate and graduate programs, including 16 doctoral programs..