Carnesecca Arena, current name of the St. John's University arena which used to be called Alumni Hall
Carnesecca Arena is a multipurpose sports venue on St. John's University's campus in Queens, holding just over 5,600 people. The building features three seating levels on two sides of the court, four video screens above center, and a polished court decorated in the school's red colors.
The arena opened in the early 1960s as Alumni Hall and was renamed in 2004 after Lou Carnesecca, who coached the team for 24 seasons. Following the renaming, the building underwent renovation and brightening to create a more modern appearance.
The arena is named after Lou Carnesecca, a legendary coach whose legacy shapes the university's identity. Students and alumni gather here as a center of their sports community, cheering for their teams with school pride.
The building is easily accessible by car via nearby highways, with free parking directly beside the venue, which is rare in New York City. However, there is no subway station nearby, making car or bus the best option for most visitors.
The building features a notably plain design with small crosses and Bible quotes on each side of the entrance door, reflecting its connection to the Catholic university. Despite its understated exterior, the arena comes alive inside, especially when the student band plays and fans behind the basket show vocal support.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.