Celebrating a 50-Year Tradition

Saint John’s University student-athletes have been winning intercollegiate athletic contests since 1882.  Recruitment brochures in the early 1900s touted the college’s new gymnasium, one of the finest in the entire Northwest.  The Johnnies claimed their first championship in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in 1922 with a tennis title.  National champions were crowned in the 1960s in football and then wrestling in 1972.  Athletic facilities were expanded in the 1970s when a pool was added, and in the late 1990s with a field house.  A new century saw national championships in football and golf – and even “footie,” the SJU Australian Rules Football club team. 

And for the past 50 years, the J-Club has been there to lead the cheers… and equally important to provide financial assistance for the Johnnies.  Former varsity letter winners were asked in 1959 to pay dues to support varsity athletics.  Today, hundreds of alumni, parents and fans support athletics at Saint John's University by paying dues, assisting in identifying potential future Johnnie student-athletes and "getting the red out" at SJU athletic contests. 

Fight, You Johnnies!

The J-Club, a dues-based booster organization of former Johnnie student-athletes, parents and fans, plays a key role in support of our varsity programs, intramurals and club sports.  The J-Club promotes attendance at our games, leading the cry to “Get the Red Out” by wearing “Johnnie Red” apparel in the stands.  The J-Club extends hospitality at home games.  The J-Club hosts the Red Tie Gala.  The J-Club, in partnership with Jostens, conducts the Gagliardi Trophy awarded annually to the outstanding NCAA Division III football player who exhibits excellence in athletics, academics and community service. 

Here are just some of the ways the J-Club supplemented Athletic Department budgets in the past few years.  These purchases, crucial to the success of Johnnie athletics, were made possible by J-Club members like you. 

· Fitness equipment used by all student-athletes
· Sound system upgrades at Durenberger Fields and at the baseball park
· Assistance in the purchase of new scoreboards for soccer and baseball
· Timing equipment for Nordic skiing and swimming
· Uniforms for hockey, baseball, basketball and track and field
· Goalie equipment for hockey
· Travel expenses for lacrosse, rugby and Ultimate Frisbee club teams for national playoff competition
· J-Club blankets for graduating senior student-athletes in 13 varsity sports as we continued this long-standing tradition

We encourage you to meet the J-Club Board at home football games this fall.  We’ll be looking forward to the opportunity to visit with you at our hospitality tent shared with the SJU Alumni Association. 

Membership in the J-Club has its privileges.  Dues-paying J-Club members receive the satisfaction of being a real part of Saint John’s teams.  You also receive a pass for two to all regular-season home football, basketball and hockey games; that alone is a $400 value.  In addition, you’ll receive J-Club stickers to dress up your correspondence, adorn your office or simply show your true colors.

Please join the J-Club today by sending in your dues for 2009-10.  Use the online form to submit your dues -- $25 for recent Johnnie student-athletes in the classes of 2007, 2008 and 2009 and only $100 for all others.  Be sure to reply by August 15 so we may send out your pass and luggage tag before we kick-off the upcoming seasons. 

If you wish to make a gift to Johnnie athletics over and above your dues, you are welcome to do so.  Your gift will go to the general Athletic Department fund unless you wish to designate it for a particular varsity sport, intramurals or a club sport. Thank you for supporting Johnnie athletics. 

Red Tie Gala III Raises Funds for Johnnie Athletics

Two hundred alumni and fans joined Saint John’s University coaches for the third annual Red Tie Gala in Minneapolis on Feb. 5, 2010.  Sponsored by the J-Club, the dinner and silent auction raised approximately $10,000.  RTG IV will be February 4, 2011.