The St. John’s season ended in heartbreak, but the resurgence of the proud program might still be in the beginning stages.
Mega booster Mike Repole, who recently told The Post’s Steve Serby that he donated more than $5 million to Red Storm basketball this year, is ready to run it back after an 80-75 season-ending Sweet 16 loss to Duke.
“I’m really excited not only for this year but also next year,” Repole said in a video posted to the St. John’s Athletics account on X. “I’ve already committed my pledge to (athletics director) Ed Kull and the athletic department and Rick Pitino and the team for next year. We don’t want this to be a one- or two-year thing. We want to build a dynasty here for the next 5-10 years.”
St. John’s pushed No. 1 overall seed Duke to the limit Friday night but lost in its first Sweet 16 appearance since 1999. The Red Storm will enter next season as two-time defending Big East regular-season and conference tournament champions.
“I could never express how much I HATE losing!!!!!” Repole wrote on ‘X.’ “Thank you @RealPitino, @steve_masiello, @EdKullStJohnsAD, all the coaches, staff, and @StJohnsBBall for an unforgettable, historic season.
“Playing the #1 team in the country in Sweet 16 and we battled our asses off!!!!! That’s heart. That’s toughness. That’s St. John’s. Thank you @Zubyejiofor (Zuby Ejiofor) and every single player who made this season so special. And to all the fans, supporters, and alumni… Johnny Nation is coming back BIGGER, STRONGER, and BETTER.”
In today’s age of NCAA sports, that promise means recruiting the transfer portal hard with NIL checks funded mostly by Repole and others. The billionaire founder of Vitaminwater and BodyArmor urged others to donate even if it is $1.
“Every amount counts,” Repole said. “Every year NIL is getting a little bit more competitive, a little bit more aggressive. You guys know, you have my word, I will always do my part.”
How big is his part? Repole recently told Serby that his faith in Pitino to get St. John’s over the top and his memories of the program as a powerhouse in the 1980s are what fuel his investment.
“Honestly, I don’t think I exactly know, how’s that sound?” he said. “Do you know what they spend on NIL? I think it’s 10 and I’m north of 50 percent, that’s all you have to know. .. It’s not about an exact amount. It’s really about what does Rick, Steve Masiello, Ed Kull and St. John’s need to compete at the highest level?
“Next year it could be more, it could be less. If Rick called me at 2:30 in the morning and said, “I need a million dollars for this guy,” I’m gonna send him the money before he wakes up. ’Cause that’s how much trust and faith I have in him.