Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. President | St. John's University website

Construction is set to begin on a new basketball practice facility at St. John’s University’s Queens campus, marking the first phase in a broader initiative to upgrade student recreational amenities.

The project includes the new basketball facility and the renovation of Taffner Field House, a 20-year-old structure that will be transformed into a recreational and wellness space for all students. The university held a groundbreaking ceremony on October 18, with remarks from university leadership including Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., President of St. John’s and Chair of the BIG EAST Conference Board of Directors; William J. Janetschek, Chair of the Board of Trustees; and Joseph E. Oliva, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

“This is the crowning piece of building up Men’s and Women’s Basketball at St. John’s,” said Fr. Shanley. “I am deeply grateful for 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 will be located near Gate 4 at 175th Street and Union Turnpike and will serve as a training center for both the men’s and women’s basketball teams. It will feature multiple practice courts, strength and conditioning areas, hydrotherapy pools, team lounges, and video review rooms.

According to Mr. Oliva, construction will start in two weeks. The practice facility is expected to be completed by Spring 2027, after which renovations to Taffner Field House will begin. The campus recreation center is scheduled to open in Fall 2028.

The ceremonial groundbreaking included university officials, Athletics Department staff, men’s basketball coach Rick Pitino—who led the team to a 31–5 record and a BIG EAST championship in 2024–25—and women’s coach Joe Tartamella, who has guided his team to four NCAA tournaments in 13 years.

Currently, the Red Storm men’s basketball team holds its highest preseason ranking ever at No. 5 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll and will open its season on November 3 against Quinnipiac University at Carnesecca Arena. The women’s team also begins its season on November 3 at Carnesecca Arena against LeMoyne College.

University officials noted that these upgrades are intended to benefit all students by improving recreational resources campus-wide.

Axis Construction Corporation from Hauppauge, NY will lead construction of the 50,000-square-foot facility, while design work for both projects is being handled by Gensler, an architecture firm based in San Francisco.

The project was made possible by significant fundraising efforts, including a $32.5 million gift from Mr. Janetschek—the largest single donation in St. John’s history—with $25 million allocated for construction and $7.5 million for student scholarships. The Riley Family contributed an additional $5 million leadership gift.

Three other donors have made seven-figure commitments to support the project as well.

St. John’s also received a $3 million New York State Higher Education Capital Matching Grant (HECap) to help finance construction costs, along with a $2 million gift from the Sallie Wang Revocable Trust that will name the men’s basketball team lounge as Chin Ying Lounge.

Fundraising continues as part of the university’s Hearts on Fire campaign launched in May, which has so far raised $286 million toward its $400 million goal to support access and opportunity, academic excellence, and strategic campus investments.