Keeping Brotherhood Alive Through the Game


Over the years, to keep our Sigma Phi Epsilon brothers connected, we’ve hosted just about every sport imaginable — softball, flag football, you name it. But being in New York City, basketball has always been the core of our brotherhood.


Most of us alumni graduated over ten years ago, but we never lost our love for the game or for our Johnnies. Many of us still hit up basketball games together, some play in local leagues, and no one represents St. John’s basketball spirit more than our very own Cesar Pozo. Even our roster of alumni includes former head managers from the program — so basketball isn’t just something we play; it’s something we live.

A group of people gathered outdoors in autumn with colorful fall trees in the background.

How It All Started



As the city began to reopen after COVID, we wanted to find a way to reconnect: not just with our brothers, but with the wider alumni community. Our first idea was a Fraternity/Sorority baseball tournament, but soon after, around St. John’s Tip-Off, we launched the first ever 3-on-3 Tournament in 2022.


That inaugural event brought together about 150 people, including 70 players and guests, and raised an impressive amount of money through fundraising. Tying it into Homecoming Weekend helped build momentum, but what really made it special was the sense of unity.


Winning the tournament and earning bragging rights was fun for the players but at its core, this event has been about bringing people together. It’s not easy getting folks to commute to Queens, especially 8000 Utopia Parkway from all over the city, but the turnout proved how deep our community roots run. We even had alumni fly in from around the country to be part of it.


Year 1-3 Provided by St Johns Alumni Flickr

Basketball players line up along the sideline of an indoor court during a training session or practice.
Row of legs and feet wearing various sneakers and shoes lined up against a red wall with wooden flooring.
Basketball players and staff in red uniforms gather in a gymnasium during a team practice session.
Athletes perform dynamic stretching exercises in a red-walled gym facility during a workout session.
Basketball players compete in a red-walled gymnasium during an intense game or practice session.
Basketball players practice drills and exercises on a red indoor court during a training session.
Wide view of a basketball gymnasium with red walls showing multiple players spread across the court during practice.
Basketball players compete during an indoor game in a red-walled gymnasium with spectators watching from the sidelines.
A red-walled gymnasium with players practicing basketball drills and exercises on the hardwood court.
Person in black camo shirt holds gold trophy awards in indoor gym setting.

Year Two: From Hoops to Helping Hands



By the second year, we started to see real growth; not just in attendance, but in impact. As St. John’s basketball began to gain traction, so did our tournament. With a growing endowment, we were able to offer our first scholarship to a current student.


It might not sound like much, but that $1,000 scholarship hits, especially for a student heading into midterms. It was proof that what started as a day of basketball was turning into something tangible, meaningful, and lasting.

A collage of athletic training scenes in a red and white gymnasium showing workout equipment and exercise activities.
Basketball players practice shooting drills and dribbling exercises in a gymnasium during a training session.
Five tall gold basketball trophies with purple columns stand in a row on a gray table against a red background.
Players gather on an indoor basketball court during a casual game at a community gym.
A professional boxer trains with focus mitts during an intense workout session in a red-walled gym.
Three basketball referees in black and white striped uniforms stand together on a court with red walls.
Students participate in physical education activities in a large indoor gymnasium with red and white walls.
Basketball players line up in a gym with red walls and hold basketballs while wearing athletic attire.
Group of people in red shirts holding large presentation checks at a university event.
Basketball players compete in an indoor game on a red-floored gymnasium court during a recreational match.
A group of players jump and dive for a basketball during an indoor recreational game.
Basketball players compete in a red-walled gymnasium during an indoor game.
Athletes in blue and green shirts participate in a sports training session in a red-walled facility.
Basketball players wearing colorful shoes and uniforms practice dribbling drills on a gym court during training.
DJ performs behind turntables at a nightclub event with lighting and equipment visible in the background.
A person in a white shirt holds a basketball in a gym setting with red and blue accents visible in the background.
Basketball players compete during an indoor pickup game in a gymnasium with players wearing colorful jerseys.
Basketball players in red jerseys celebrate with teammates and coaches after a game.
A basketball coach in red attire provides instruction during practice in a gymnasium with red and white walls.
Students gather in a university recreation center hallway with sports banners and flags displayed on the walls.
Basketball players and spectators gather in a red-walled gymnasium during a sporting event.
A collage of group photos showing students and team members posing together in a gymnasium setting with red walls.
A group of people in blue sports jerseys and dark jackets gather together in what appears to be a hallway.
A group of people standing together in a gym with red walls and sports equipment visible in the background.

Year Three: Culture & Energy



Year three was electric. With Rick Pitino joining as head coach and the renewed excitement around St. John’s basketball, the momentum carried us to our biggest tournament yet.


Every year we had St. John’s players stop by our opening ceremony, guest speakers with deep NYC basketball ties, ROTC showing up in support, and even a Father leading prayer to kick off the day,  a nod to our university’s Catholic roots.


Nearly 40 teams competed that year, and our friends at GLOBE capitalized on the energy yearly by hosting a cash-prize 3-point contest. It became clear: this wasn’t just an event anymore. It was becoming a tradition people looked forward to.

Year Four: Our Most Impactful Yet



With St. John’s ranked Top 5 in the nation, the excitement on campus was at an all-time high and that energy carried right into our 4th Annual 3-on-3 Tournament.


We kicked things off with current players pulling up for introductions, setting the tone for an incredible day. It was an honor to have Marcus Hatten join us. A legend who brought excitement to St. John’s during his tenure and whose spirit perfectly matches the energy our school embodies today.


This year marked a major milestone for us, surpassing $100,000 raised in total funds and awarding our largest scholarship to date. That’s something every brother, volunteer, and supporter can be proud of.

Stone wall display with green signs and yellow balloons at a community event.
Red cans of Coca-Cola chilling in crushed ice at a beverage station.
A person in sunglasses and dark clothing stands next to a red table with drinks outdoors.
A person in red plays basketball in a gymnasium with white walls and a basketball hoop visible.
A person sits at a table with a phone and papers in an indoor setting with a digital kiosk visible in the background.
A series of classroom photos showing educational activities and campus life with red walls and teaching materials.
Interior view of a beige-colored hallway with scholarship information signs mounted on the walls.
A person in a blue cap and white hoodie examines items at a table in a bright indoor space.
Red mascot costume lying on wooden gym floor with black stripes.
Athletes practicing breakdancing moves on a red gymnasium floor during a dance session.
Athletes in red jerseys practice drills on an indoor gymnasium court with white floor markings.
Basketball players practice drills on a red and white indoor court during a training session.
Athletes run in formation across a gymnasium floor during a basketball practice session.
Players line up along the wall of a basketball court during practice drills.
A mascot in red costume interacts with someone in blue during a gym event.
Basketball players practicing drills in a large indoor gymnasium with red walls.
Military personnel and civilians gather along red walls in a gymnasium hallway.
Wide angle view of a spacious indoor basketball gymnasium with red walls and bright overhead lighting.
Indoor gymnasium with red walls and basketball hoops visible in the background.
Students gather in a campus recreation facility wearing casual athletic attire.
Students gather in a campus recreation area with fluorescent lighting and tiled floors.
Group gathered in a bright gymnasium with red walls and wooden flooring.
Two people interacting during a basketball training session in a gym with red walls.
Wide view of a bright indoor gymnasium with red walls and white floor markings during an athletic event.
Wide angle view of indoor basketball court with red walls and wooden floors.
People lined up against red wall in gymnasium during an event.
Group posing with large ceremonial checks in a gymnasium setting.
Outdoor gathering with people seated at tables during a daytime event.
People posing together in a gym with red walls and basketball court markings.
Panoramic view of people lined up along the wall of an indoor gymnasium during a sporting event.
Group of athletes lined up against a red wall in a gymnasium during a basketball event.
Basketball players practicing drills and skills on a gymnasium court with red walls.
Basketball players and spectators gather in a gymnasium with red walls during a recreational game or practice session.
Group of students laughing and socializing together in a casual indoor setting with red wall background.
People watching and participating in activities along the wall of an indoor sports facility.
Person in red sweater taking a photo on their phone in a gymnasium with red walls.
Three friends chatting together in a basketball gymnasium with red walls.
People having a conversation near a red wall in an indoor gymnasium setting.
Basketball players practicing drills in a spacious indoor gymnasium with red and white walls.
Basketball players spread across a gymnasium court during what appears to be a practice or training session.
Three athletes resting on the floor against a wall in matching uniforms.
Indoor basketball game in progress with players and spectators in a gymnasium with red court markings.
Basketball players and referee gathered on indoor court during game.
Athletes practicing basketball moves and drills in a well-lit indoor gymnasium.
People relaxing on chairs in a casual indoor setting.
People sit along the sidelines of an indoor basketball court with red walls watching an off-camera game or event.
Friends gathered outdoors during autumn enjoying beverages and social time together.
Group of people gathered outdoors on a sunny autumn day with colorful fall foliage in the background.
People gathered in a gymnasium with red and white walls for a basketball event.
Three people pose together on a wooden gymnasium floor with red lines and bright overhead lighting.
Two people posing together on a basketball court with red and white decorative elements.
People gathered for a basketball event in a gymnasium with red and white walls.
Basketball players practicing and stretching on a wooden court with red boundary lines.
Referee holding a basketball in an indoor gymnasium setting.
Referee displaying score cards showing numbers in blue and white against a gymnasium background.
Basketball court with red and blue markings showing players practicing drills.
Winners displaying golden trophies on basketball court with red walls.
Two people posing with a trophy and basketball in front of a Campus Recreation sign.

The tournament saw over 200 people in attendance, from alumni and students to families and children who came to watch and cheer. Personally, I’ve had my own journey through these tournaments:


Year 1: 2nd Place 🥈

Year 2: 1st Place + Mark Jackson MVP 🥇 🏆

Year 3: Quarterfinal Finish ⚔️

Year 4: Back to the Championship  🥇


Beyond the wins and losses, it’s been about playing against old rivalries, reconnecting with friends, and watching our community grow every year.


None of this would be possible without the incredible team behind the scenes, DJ Zeke, Terrell Amparado, Stephen (“Sauce”), Mike Garcia, the QBA Family, and so many others who make this event what it is.


But what brings me the most joy? Seeing families and kids out there, smiling and inspired. Watching my own daughter see her dad help bring people together for something meaningful- that’s the real highlight. Though she love's Johnny Thunderbird slightly more at these events.


Carrying the Spirit Forward



At its core, this tournament is about more than basketball. Tt’s about connection, brotherhood, mentorship, and creating opportunities for the next generation. Just like on the court, it’s about showing up for one another and investing in what’s next. Whether through hoops or a camera lens, it’s all part of the same mission: building something lasting together.