Johnny Jungle

The 6th Man of St. John's Basketball

For the die hard St. John's fan.
The unofficial 6th man. est. '07
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Frosh to Alum Change is Constant

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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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Road Trip 5 Song Must Playlist

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St. John’s is coming off a tremendous must need win over No. 11 Notre Dame ending their two game losing streak. The best part of the game was that guy #42, Kevin Clark got into the game. St. John’s will now be heading on the road to play the Louisville Cardinals at the new KFC Yum! center.

It’s no secret to any friends, family, or strangers that I am an alumnus of St. John’s University. It’s probably why I was selected to participate in the Biggest Fan of the Big East Contest sponsored by Volvo. They say there is more to life than a Volvo which is why we’re seeking “5 Songs to Play on a Road Trip.” Volvo knows there are die hard St. John’s fans who will be traveling to Louisville.

In addition to the play list there are a few more vital parts to every road trip. You have to find the friend who has the most reliable, spacious, and great gas mileage car to drive. I hope to be that friend soon by winning the brand new naughty Volvo S60.

It’s no secret that Volvo is one of the safest cars, New York Times knows it with its pedestrian detection technology, you can see how luxurious the interior is, and along with the 300 horse power you also get 30mpg on the highway.

So lets turn the key (or push to start) and get ready for our Red and White road trip.

Every road trip needs an opening anthem. Something that says this road trip is going to rock! For Johnny Jungle there can only be one song that can be played. A little background on the origin of Johnny Jungle. The name stems from St. John’s “Johnny” and the “Jungle” has a very deep meaning. St. John’s is located in New York City also known as the concrete jungle (thanks Jay-Z). St. John’s also plays their home games at Madison Square Garden which the students makes a Jungle. So when anyone comes to down we welcome them to the Jungle.



Now the adrenaline is kicking, you’re pumped you’re on the road. So we’ll look to the local boys who grew up right around the corner from the St. John’s campus in Queens. Everyone knows the words to this head bopping song.



Now you’re in the long stretch of your drive and you need a song to get lost a little bit. My father told me they would play this song when he was in training camp for football in highschool. It would help them get through the rigors of drills from two a days. There aren’t any words in the song which allows you to day dream to the rhythm and sounds.



After you exit the trance you’re thinking about the long ride again. You need a pick me up song. Something you can sing along to and this song puts me right back into college. Remembering all the crazy nights, crazy games, and all the experiences that you will remember for a lifetime. You always got your money’s worth playing this song at the college bar juke box.



Every road trip and every game a fan must always keep this attitude in mind. Maybe this is why the St. John’s pep band plays it once a game. Up 6, down 10, at halftime, 3 min to go, down 1 with 10 seconds left, you can never stop believing. So we’ll close this journey with this….don’t be afraid to sing along. Go St. John’s!



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Off the Court: #42 Who’s That?

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It’s no secret to any friends, family, or strangers that I am an alumnus of St. John’s University. It’s probably why I was selected to participate in the Biggest Fan of the Big East Contest sponsored by Volvo. They say there is more to life than a Volvo which is why we’re seeking “Off the Court Excellence.” Volvo knows there is more to Big East student athletes than just basketball.

Both Volvo and St. John’s alike strive for excellence indicated by their mission statements. St. John’s was inspired by St. Vincent de Paul’s compassion and zeal for service. St. Vincent dedicated his life to helping out the less fortunate extending opportunities to them when no one else would. This is well represented by the diversity at St. John’s as it is ranked the 17th most diverse school in the country by Forbes. What makes this stand out even more is the fact that St. John’s is 1 of 3 private schools which make the top 20 list in the United States.

On the road the new VolvoS60 may be naughty but off the road Volvo still values life and family pledging $10,000 to the school who wins the challenge. (Volvo)
This diversity has produced many prominent alumni in many different facets of life. Former Governors of New York Hugh Carey and Mario Cuomo to former Governor of California George Deukmejian. Musical talents Darryl “D.M.C.” McDaniels to current breakout rap sensation J. Cole. In the sports world ESPN’s Howie Schwab and Brian Kenny (Sports Center) to the late Bob Sheppard “Voice of the New York Yankees.” Of course business men Bruce R. Bent, inventor of first money market fund and Mike Repole the inventor of Vitamin Water.

Volvo also shares the beliefs of values and excellence in building safer cars since 1927. As St. John’s continues to enhance the lives of young people Volvo continues to protect them. Volvo’s Saved My Life Club is a true testament to their statement, “You’re not driving a car. You’re driving a promise,” and Volvo has done just that. They have pledged $10,000 to the Alma Mater of the winner of this contest. Volvo Victory = Vincentian Values!….hows that for alliteration?

So with no further adieu who is #42?

He comes from the small town of Scranton, Pennsylvania. “We don’t get much recognition,” but he had big dreams, “I wanted to come to school here in New York City.” He passed on other opportunities to play basketball elsewhere despite not receiving a scholarship offer from St. John’s. He tried out for the team his freshman year but was cut. He took a job in the basketball office just so he could remain close to the team. He tried out his sophomore year again and successfully became a walk-on player for the Red Storm. Some of you know him as #42 but his name is Kevin Clark, senior, St. John’s Red Storm.

“I just wanted to play at the biggest level possible, biggest city, and St. John’s tradition and history is something anybody would be lucky to play for.”

Despite his name not making headlines on the backpage of New York papers, the Clark’s are pretty well known back home. Kevin has three brothers Patrick, Jordan, and Chael who are all scholars as well as athletes. Patrick and Jordan both played college baseball while Chael played his college basketball at New York University. “As an older brother I looked up to him in everything that he did. He was very accomplished athletically and academically, (pauses, laughs) obviously because he went to NYU,” Kevin spoke of his brother Chael who he would hop on the E Train to visit for advice when he first came to St. John’s, “He’s been a real role model for me.”

So four brothers, all athletes, what are those driveway games like during the holidays?

The teams are usually Patrick and Kevin vs Jordan and Chael. “The Holidays are the best times because we get to be home and the first place we go is to play pick up basketball wherever we can.” Although Kevin couldn’t take credit for being the best player or athlete deferring to his older brothers. I think he may have been just being modest or he didn’t want to come home next holiday after his brothers read this.

Kevin Clark showing off the fruits of labor and hard work. He thought this picture of him in a hair net would disappear! (Redstormsports.com)
Speaking of holidays Kevin as well as the entire St. John’s men’s basketball team have spent their past four Thanksgivings with the Bread of Life serving the homeless at a shelter in Brooklyn. “Well outside of the court I realize I’m related to the basketball team and I act accordingly.” said the senior.

On the court his role during the game may be minimal in the final score but what he may fail to realize is that he gives hope to every person in the stands. So many people respect and admire his passion and determination that has earned him the privilege to wear that St. John’s jersey on game day. It’s not easy being a walk-on player. “We do everything that the scholarship players do,” Clark said confidently, We go through all the drills, run 5 on 5 with them, and it just comes down to 5 guys on the court and usually we’re not the ones on it. We try to get them ready for whoever they’re playing and whatever the situation is.”

When #42 checks into the game every father tells his son the story of how he got cut his freshman year, made the team next year without a scholarship, how he’s a dean’s list student, and how with hard work dreams can come true.

For Kevin it’s never about himself. “It’s not so much a personal legacy for me but I want to be able to say that I was a part of something great. An NCAA team, a Big East Championship team,” Clark speaking of legacy at St. Johns, “but personally being around these guys, doing what I’m doing now is enough for me.” This is why #42 Kevin Clark receives the Off the Court Excellence Award.

After graduation Kevin plans to pursue a career in coaching so he can help teach the youth play the game in addition to growing up to be strong young men in their communities. He feels that the lessons and values he’s learned being a part of St. John’s Basketball team will propel him in anything he sets his mind to.



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Back to St. John’s 5 Things I Can’t Wait to Do

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Before the season started I was selected to be 1 of 16 participants in a relatively unknown contest involving Volvo cars and Big East Basketball. Like my man Barney Stinson would say, “challenge….accepted!”

So the challenge began with polls opening up on MyBigEastVolvo.com and the stakes keep on being raised with each and every day. Last week the challengers were all informed that winner for the “Biggest Fan of the Big East” would win a brand new “naughty” Volvo S60 car and their school would receive a $10,000 donation.

Volvo has been kind enough to send me out to see the Red Storm play against the Duke Blue Devils at Madison Square Garden this season while lending me the S60 for the weekend. There are 5 things you need to know about the naughty S60 according to Volvo it’s driving dynamics, bold design, turbocharged engine, sophisticated handling, and innovative technology. Just like Volvo I also have 5 things I can’t wait to do heading back to St. John’s.

Sit in Traffic

The luxury interior of the new naughty Volvo S60. Major upgrade from my first Volvo car which has 200,000 miles and blue I think its leather interior. (Volvo.com)
No matter what day I decide to go, no matter what time of day I decide to go, and no matter which route of travel I decide to go I will always hit traffic heading into New York City. I’m really looking forward to getting plenty of quality time with my future car sitting in bumper to bumper traffic while enjoying the sophisticated sound system.

It’s really quite funny sometimes because you see things like a plastic bag blowing in the wind that are moving at a faster rate of speed than you are. I try to avoid traffic by listening to 1010 wins every 10 minutes (traffic report on the 1’s) to try and at least pick the lesser of evils but it never really matters if I go GW Bridge or Lincoln Tunnel. I’m open to more suggestions!

Seeing Old Faces in Same Places

Sly Fox Inn is located just two blocks away from campus on Union Turnpike.
St. John’s University and Volvo have one very important thing in common. Great tradition! When you go to St. John’s or a game at Madison Square Garden there are so many people you can always count on. One of my favorite traditions going to St. John’s pre and post game is heading over the Sly Fox where the owner Eddie always greets me with a warm smile, firm handshake, and a cold beverage. Double J’s Deli is another place where everyone from St. John’s students to the NYPD go for great deli sandwiches. John the owner is always rocking Red and White! Betty at Dunkin Donuts always knows what St. John’s students need after 2:00 AM.

Within the St. John’s campus you’ll see the same lunch ladies and if you walk around the athletic facilities you’ll hear the custodian yell, “Hey Bayyyy-bay!” You’ll see the athletic trainers cruising Gatorade around on their golf carts and the same public safety officers checking storm cards in the facilities.

Heading into the city to the Garden you’ll see the same ticket scalpers hanging out on the corner trying to sell you tickets for way too much money. Getting inside you’ll see the same ushers checking tickets and escorting people to their seats.

Maybe some people take these traditions for granted but I enjoy every last one of them.

I am Queens Boulevard

Its not often the entourage gets together post graduation but we do our best to keep in touch and meet up each and every year. St. John's enabled me to meet some people I can call friends for life. (Facebook)
To play off entourage and Vinny Chase, “I am Queens Boulevard”

Just like Vinny, E, Drama, and Turtle we painted the town red and we really grew to love a lot of things about Queens. For four years my friends and I all felt like we owned Queens.

With this contest I’m able to fly in my best friend Eddie McDonough up from Miami to see the game with me. A lot of my other friends are in close proximity to Queens so we’ll be round up the old entourage, catch up, and reminisce like old times. We’ll hit up all our old spots and have a good time celebrating the big win over Duke.

The only difference between the guys of Entourage and myself will be instead of cruising a 1965 Lincoln Continental we’ll be in the New Naughty S60.

Feeling the Garden Magic

There is something about Madison Square Garden that just isn’t created anywhere else. You just get this awe about being inside the building and the court shines bright. You’re in the spotlight in the most powerful city in the world.

I’ve been to some amazing games at MSG and there is probably no greater feeling then storming the floor. I’ve done it a few times in my day and one time it was caught on video here.

Now this person who shot the video made a few crucial mistakes when storming the floor.

1. You either have to be the initial surge or third wave because the 2nd wave of people get stopped by the ushers.
2. You have to use some jukes to get past the ushers. You can’t just run straight out you have to plan out your attack.
3. You have to jump and dance around center court. Don’t run on the sidelines of the court
4. Do your thing and get off the court before you get arrested!

City That Never Sleeps

There is one characteristic every St. John’s student gets with their degree and that is the ability to be a quick thinker and great networker. Maybe its just from being in the city for four years but we’re always working to get ahead.

Just as I’m having a great opportunity to influence you reading this to check out Volvo S60 cars (shameless plug) I’ll also be able to meet and greet a ton of people at to promote JohnnyJungle.com.

There is never a missed opportunity meeting people at St. John’s games and I always enjoy talking with each and every person I come into contact with whether its in the subway, on the ticket line, going up the escalator, or in the stands you always take the opportunity to introduce yourself to meet new people. So the St. John’s family should extend this post to others by LIKING, TWEETING, and just introducing the Volvo family to all.



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