Rick Pitino's Sword and Bullhorn Stolen
- Rick Pitino's ceremonial sword and bullhorn were stolen from his St. John's office.
- The theft occurred around 8 p.m. in the athletics department building.
- Authorities are investigating the incident.
In an unusual incident for college athletics, St. John's University head coach Rick Pitino reported the theft of a ceremonial sword and a bullhorn from his office on Tuesday night. Surveillance footage reviewed by The Athletic captured two unidentified men in the university's building, one brandishing the sword while the other manipulated the bullhorn. The university has not confirmed any reports of missing memorabilia, such as an autographed basketball. According to the NYPD, the incident occurred around 6 PM on August 20, 2024, when the two men allegedly entered the university premises without authorization. The police are currently investigating the matter, but details surrounding the motive for the theft remain unclear. Rick Pitino, 71, is entering his second season as the head coach of St. John's, a position he took in his native New York City. With a storied career spanning 36 years, Pitino has amassed 854 wins, although this figure excludes four seasons of victories at Louisville that were later vacated due to NCAA violations, including a championship title in 2013. Beyond his collegiate coaching achievements, Pitino has also led professional teams globally, including stints with the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics, as well as coaching national teams in Puerto Rico and Greece. His commitment to the game remains evident, as he continues to push for excellence at St. John's amidst the challenges of the current college basketball landscape.