The St. John’s Athletic Department announced on Thursday a groundbreaking partnership with cllct, to serve as the Official Collectibles Partner of Red Storm Athletics.
Through the innovative collaboration, St. John’s and cllct have committed to celebrating the University’s rich legacy and cultural influence with two marquee initiatives from the outset. St. John’s will host "Coming to America" Night on Dec. 28 during the men’s basketball game versus Delaware, as well as release a Carnesecca Legacy Collection in honor of St. John’s winningest head coach and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer.
“St. John’s Athletics continues to innovate and lead, celebrating our history while looking ahead to the future,” said Vice President and Director of Athletics Ed Kull. “Partnering with cllct, the leader of this movement, allows us to connect our fans, alumni, and community in new and exciting ways, harnessing the power of collectibles to preserve our stories and build deeper relationships.”
"Coming to America" Night will be held on the anniversary of the St. John’s men’s basketball team’s game versus Marist, that was featured in the iconic 1987 film starring Eddie Murphy. The one-of-a-kind event will merge sports, pop culture, and fan engagement, making it an unforgettable night for attendees.
A highlight of "Coming to America" Night is the #FINDTHECTATICKET campaign, an interactive initiative to locate and recover physical tickets from the contest with Marist on Dec. 28, 1987, at Madison Square Garden, where the movie’s scenes were filmed. Fans are encouraged to scour their memorabilia collections and participate in the search, fostering a sense of community and nostalgia.
St. John’s and cllct will offer fans a $1,000 reward for the top three highest quality original tickets from the 1987 game. In addition, fans are encouraged to share their memories and discoveries from the game by using the hashtag #FINDTHECTATICKET. To submit your ticket for authenticity, email a photo of the front and back to biz@cllct.com or bring the physical ticket to the St. John’s men’s basketball game on Dec. 28.
Fans in attendance for the Red Storm men’s basketball contest with Delaware will be treated to a variety of "Coming to America" Night activities and entertainment. In arena activations include movie trivia and music, contests and games with 1987 themed prizes, an exclusive exhibit featuring an authentic McDowell’s uniform – a nod to the fictional fast-food restaurant in the movie, and custom merchandise such as a specially designed “In the Face” t-shirt, referencing one of the movie’s most iconic lines.
The Carnesecca Legacy program was designed to honor legendary coach Lou Carnesecca, one of college basketball’s most iconic figures. The tiered collectibles series highlights his storied career and lasting impact on the sport.
The collection features collaborations with fellow Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer and current St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino, who wore a replica sweater as a tribute to Carnesecca on Dec. 7, 2024, during the Red Storm’s home contest versus Kansas State. The limited-edition collection includes Lou Carnesecca and Rick Pitino trading cards, sweater cards with textured holofoil, a one of one sweater auto booklet with autographs from Carnesecca and Pitino, as well as a one of one Carnesecca refractor card.
“We are thrilled to partner with St. John’s University as their Official Collectibles Partner,” said Darren Rovell, Founder of cllct. “This collaboration sets a new standard for how collectibles can celebrate the past while paving the way for future fan engagement. By honoring iconic moments like Lou Carnesecca’s legacy and the cultural significance of 'Coming to America', we’re redefining the role of collectibles in collegiate sports and culture.”