Nov. 19, 2007

QUEENS, N.Y. - Red Storm fans can catch up with basketball coaches Norm Roberts and Kim Barnes Arico and fencing coach Yury Gelman at the inaugural Winter Coaches Luncheon on Monday, Dec. 10 at noon. The head coaches will be on hand at the President's Room in Carnesecca Arena to chat with fans, take questions and discuss the 2007-08 winter sports season.

The men's basketball team is off to a solid start after its 72-64 victory over St. Francis (N.Y.) in the season opener. Roberts' young squad mixes seven talented freshman, led by Justin Burrell, D.J. Kennedy and Malik Boothe, with returners Anthony Mason Jr., Eugene Lawrence, Tomas Jasiulionis and Larry Wright.

The Red Storm women return all five starters and are off to a 2-1 start on the season, which includes an upset victory over No. 24 NC State at the University of Vermont TD Bank North Classic. Monique McLean, Kelly McManmon and newcomer Sky Lindsay lead the squad in scoring, and All-BIG EAST guard Kia Wright should return to practice this week after missing time with an injury.

Under the tutelage of Gelman, the fencing teams finished as the NCAA national runner up in 2006-07. Members of the squad competed in the NAC Juniors last weekend, and the full men's and women's teams will be in action at the Brandeis Invitational, that begins on Dec. 2.

Admission to the Winter Coaches Luncheon is $5. Please reserve your place for the event by Dec. 6 by contacting Carolyn Young at 718-990-7906 or via e-mail at youngc1@stjohns.edu.