NEW YORK CITY (PIX11) — A typical day on the campus of St. John’s looks like any other college campus.

Students shuffle back and forth between classes, braving the cold of a New York City winter.

This is the calm and quiet in the eye of the storm before the Men’s basketball team plays their next game in what’s been a historic season.

“St. John’s has become everybody’s adopted school and university,” said St. John’s VP & Director of Athletics Ed Kull.

Kull bleeds St. John’s red. Not only is he the vice president and director of athletics at the university, but he’s also a St. John’s graduate and a Queens native.

In his first year on the job, Kull has spent plenty of time studying the approach of the legendary Rick Pitino.

Pitino, now in his second year coaching the Johnnies, has led St. John’s to its best regular season in 40 years.

“You always knew coach Pitino and what his power was, what his genius is. Everybody was excited for year two. I don’t think anybody could have guessed this quickly, this successfully,” said Kull.

Players have come to expect this from Pitino, the only coach in college history to win a national championship with two different teams.

“It was always a dream. I know that this is just what Coach P does. He has a way of making sure that wherever he goes, they end up winning,” said Red Storm Guard Simeon Wilcher.

This year, the St. John’s Men’s basketball team won 10 consecutive Big East games for the first time since the 1984-85 season. That team was coached by the legendary Lou Carnesecca, who passed away earlier this year. Some around campus can’t help but feel that coach Carnesecca is watching over this year’s team from above.

And Carnesecca’s not alone.

Whether they’re at Carnesecca Arena or Madison Square Garden, the Johnnies are packing the house this season.

Alexie Crisp, a student and chair of the Red Zone fan committee, said this year’s team has brought together generations of the St. John’s faithful.

“It’s really awesome to see alumni reaching out, bringing out their varsity jackets from when they were here. I think that’s totally cool,” said Red Zone Fan Committee Chair Alexie Crisp.

Kull said the team’s success has helped with fundraising, ticket sales and student retention.

The players said the turnstile swings both ways when it comes to their subway alumni. And they’re hoping that support continues all the way through the March Madness.

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