Frosh to Alum Change is Constant

In 2002, I was a senior in high school narrowing my list of college choices. I wanted to study sports management and my teacher and basketball coach Ed Wicelinski recommended St. John’s University should be in my list of schools. It made a lot of sense sports + New York = win, win. The interest was mutual as St. John’s sent my family and I tickets to attend the St. John’s basketball game vs Duke University at Madison Square Garden.

The experience was unforgettable as the less talented Red Storm took the highly nationally ranked Duke Blue Devils in front of a sold out crowd. There was something about the atmosphere that made the hair on your arms rise. St. John’s trailed for most of the game but they were keeping it close. Under a minute of play the Red Storm went on a miraculous run that tied up the game. The Blue Devils had the ball with 8 seconds left with the game tied 71-71….lets tune in……..

…..and the crowd storms the floor. The Johnnies win! The Johnnnnies win!

Wow! Immediately I turned to my father and told him that I would be attending St. John’s.

7 years later. I’m a proud alumnus of the University who has been selected to participate in the “Biggest Fan of the Big East” presented by Volvo and the Big East. I’m eligible to win a brand new “Naughty” VolvoS60 and a $10,000 donation to the school.

Since then Marcus Hatten has graduated, St. John’s has 3 new buildings on campus, a new mascot, and Father Maher no longer has that goatee (watch that video again). That’s the beauty of college basketball change is always constant and you see freshman become alumni. However the traditions that you make with your classmates and friends continue to live forever. This brings me to the Volvo challenge at hand with every basketball game follows a night of late dining. Lets go through the traditions from Freshman year to beyond.

Freshman Year

So it’s your freshman year and you have your Storm Card (student ID), not much money, and killer meal plan (thanks Mom). If you went to the game there is a good chance that you missed your dinner at Montgoris Dining Hall and they’re closing up the on campus restaurants. It’s way too cold to walk to 7-11, you’re saving your money for the weekend so Chinese and Dominoes is out of the question for delivery, and your roommate stole your last package of EZ-Mac. So you’re regulated to the C-Store which is now called the “Hungry Johnny. ” This is the on campus convenience store which accepts your meal plan points. Let’s stroll down to the frozen food section for your assortment of Hot Pockets, Burritos, and Lean Cuisine. You wonder why you gained the freshman 15lbs?

Sophomore Year

So now you’re a Sophomore which derives from the Greek words “sophos” meaning “wise” and “moros” meaning “foolish.” How befitting because at 19 don’t you think you own the world? Well one thing is you are a little wiser. You’ve began branching outside of campus life and know some hot spots and you’ve definitely found a person with an old school Volvo car which you fit max capacity at all times. However your eating habits really haven’t improved and you’re relying completely on your fast metabolism. I blame Harold and Kumar going to White Castle.

Junior Year

So now you’ve really branched out. You’ve gotten lost so many times that you’ve stumbled upon a lot of local establishments but there is one that resonates with “late” dining. St. John’s students and alumni may be thinking of it….You know its worth the drive. Cherry Valley!

Cherry Valley is a 24 hour deli that has specialty sandwiches that you will find no where else. No matter what time of day, night, dusk, or dawn there are always people in there chowing down. It may be the best $7-10 you’ll ever spend and it always hits the spot.

Senior Year

You’re growing up and you’ve outgrown the college bar somewhat and you’ve heard about it but you couldn’t get in unless you were 21 years old. After a game you’d simply have a text message on your phone that reads, “Bell”

All of the guys, the girls, this crew, and that crew would all meet up for a night of fun bouncing from one spot to another.

Yes the famous Bell Blvd. This strip contains a number of places for late night dining from sports to martini bars there is a spot for all.

Alumni

Making your way in the world today takes everything you’ve got.
Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot.

Wouldn’t you like to get away?

Sometimes you want to go

Where everybody knows your name,
and they’re always glad you came.
You wanna be where you can see,
our troubles are all the same
You wanna be where everybody knows
Your name.

You wanna go where people know,
people are all the same,
You wanna go where everybody knows
your name….

The Cheers theme song sums up the Sly Fox perfectly. The best place to go after a win or loss after a St. John’s basketball game for late night dining. You can turn to your right, to your left and always see a Red Storm shirt. You can see why it was 1 of the 5 things I wanted to do when going back to campus and mission accomplished.

Certainly in New York, the city that never sleeps, there are a number of late night dining places but all of the places listed above are like a Volvo car, for life.

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