Rick Pitino joins ‘Thank You, NYPD’ ahead of Red Storm’s NCAA tournament run
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The “Thank You, NYPD” campaign in New York City is an ongoing effort to show appreciation for those in blue.
The campaign encouraged residents to upload videos expressing their appreciation for the department. St. St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino was among those who responded and thanked those he said help maintain a safe urban environment.
“I want to sincerely thank the NYPD officers who do an incredible job keeping our city safe.” Pitino said in a video posted on Madison Square Garden’s Instagram account on Friday. “Thank you very much.”
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FOX Sports broadcaster Gus Johnson reports on St. Louis after the Red Storm defeated the Connecticut Huskies for the Big East Conference Tournament championship on March 14, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. He interviews St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino. (Brad Penner/Imagn Images)
Pitino’s show of gratitude came just hours before the Red Storm’s first-round game in the men’s NCAA Tournament. In fifth place, St. St. John’s faces No. 12 Northern Iowa on Friday night in San Diego.
Later this month, as part of the campaign, Madison Square Garden will host a special concert featuring a star-studded lineup including Cyndi Lauper, John Fogerty, rapper and New York Knicks fan Fat Joe, and others. St. St. John’s plays most of its home games at Madison Square Garden.
ICONIC SPORTS VENUES MADISON SQUARE GARDEN WILL HOST NYPD AND STAFF IN A SPECIAL CONCERT AFTER THEIR ‘THANK YOU’ EFFORTS
“Today, we announced ‘Thank You, NYPD,’ a campaign encouraging all New Yorkers to thank the New York City Police Department for its service to our great city!” Madison Square Garden said in a post Wednesday: In X.
Newly commissioned New York City police officers greet family members following the police cadet graduation ceremony outside Madison Square Garden on March 9, 2026 in New York City. (Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images)
Uniformed police officers and civilian personnel, along with their loved ones, will be invited to the special event planned for March 28. “The Garden” also called on New Yorkers to submit individual “thank you” videos.
Comedians Chris Distefano and Sam Morril are also among the event’s confirmed performers.
MSG Entertainment said it would donate the venue and cover all expenses of the event. Jim Dolan, CEO and Chief Executive Officer of MSG Entertainment and MSG Sports, said the event was not political but was a “sincere” show of gratitude to the city’s police department.
Madison Square Garden Sports director Jim Dolan attends a game between the Houston Rockets and New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on January 17, 2024 in New York City. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
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“There are times in our culture today when the voice of dissent is louder than the voice of the majority. This is the case with law enforcement and especially the NYPD,” Dolan said. he said. in a statement.
“Cries of ‘defund the police’ and other negative statements do not reflect the true feelings of New Yorkers. If our cops hear it and no one steps up to say otherwise, it can be disheartening. This concert to say ‘Thank you, NYPD’ is designed to let our police know that we New Yorkers need, respect and appreciate their efforts and service.”
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