In a surprising incident at St. John’s University, a ceremonial sword and a megaphone were reported stolen from basketball coach Rick Pitino’s office. A spokesperson for the Queens-based Catholic university confirmed that the theft occurred Tuesday night around 8 p.m. in the athletic department’s offices, which are housed in Carnesecca Arena, home court of Pitino’s Red Storm team.
Brian Browne, a university spokesman, said the theft was part of an unauthorized entry by two individuals who were then seen fleeing west on Union Turnpike on a moped. An ongoing police investigation has yet to confirm whether other items were stolen from the office or other areas of the building.
Surveillance footage released by authorities on Thursday captured the two in the act: one of the perpetrators was visibly carrying a sword, while the other was holding a megaphone.
Rick Pitino, a New York City native and celebrated college basketball figure, joined St. John’s last year, bringing hopes of revitalizing the Big East program. His decorated coaching career includes NCAA championships with Kentucky in 1996 and Louisville in 2013, though his tenure at Louisville was marred by controversy that led to the 2013 title being revoked.
Despite being fired from Louisville in 2017 amid a corruption investigation into college basketball recruiting, Pitino was later cleared by the NCAA. Prior to his current role at St. John’s, Pitino coached at Iona College and held head coaching stints for the NBA’s New York Knicks and Boston Celtics, as well as various college teams and international clubs.
As the investigation into the theft continues, the community awaits further details and hopes for the recovery of the stolen items.
