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It has been a thrilling season up to this point, and Mike Repole doesn’t want anything to change next year.
The billionaire’s support of his alma mater continued on Monday, when the Flat Top Fund — one of two St. John’s collectives — announced a new fundraising drive in which Repole will match up to $1 million of what is raised for Name, Image & Likeness (NIL) for the No. 12 Red Storm.
“It’s an opportunity for me to help the university, but also inspire others who are loving this and loving the feeling of having a top 12 team and [being in] first place in the Big East, and say, ‘Hey, if I’m going to give $10, it feels like I’m giving $20,’” Repole, a St. John’s alum, told The Post in a phone interview. “From my Catholic background from St. John’s, I’ve always heard success is best when shared.”
As part of the campaign, gifts of $25,000 or more will include a private dinner event hosted by Repole and coach Rick Pitino. Gifts of $10,000 or more will grant the donor and two guests access to the 2025-26 Flat Top Lounge at the Garden for the entire season.
Repole is flying up from Florida for Tuesday’s showdown against No. 11 Marquette at the Garden.
He was at a recent win over Xavier, and couldn’t help but think back to his childhood, when St. John’s was such a big part of New York City sports. He’s seeing it happen again.
The Johnnies have won eight straight games, sit all alone atop the Big East and are starting to draw big crowds. More than 19,000 fans attended Saturday’s win over Providence.
“This is a special, special, special team and a special year. But between [president] Father [Brian] Shanley and Rick Pitino and [athletic director] Ed Kull and me, this is something we want to be the norm: Having a Top 25 team every year,” said the 56-year-old Repole, who donated in the seven figures for this year’s team. “Listen, to me, this is not just about basketball, but it’s also about the university. There’s two things I’m focused on: 19,000 fans at the Garden and Father Shanley and Eddie Kull can make sure enrollment is up 20, 30 percent and get the St. John’s brand back to where it was.”
Pitino raved about the importance of Repole’s support in his Monday news conference. In this age of NIL and the transfer portal, financial backing has become crucial.
Since Pitino’s arrival, Repole has been on board, providing the kind of funding that has enabled the Queens school to do well in the portal.
“Mike is, for us, a godsend for our program because he gives and asks for nothing back,” Pitino said. “He doesn’t ask for any favors, doesn’t ask for any things. Just flies in, roots hard for the team, and leaves and takes off. Without him, I don’t know where the hell we would be.”
Junior wing RJ Luis was one of 50 players named to the Oscar Robertson Trophy midseason watch list by the U.S. Basketball Writers’ Association (USBWA). It is a National Player of the Year award.
