I know many people have asked about donations for @DSPNSJU family.
Thanks to John O’Neill (a former Johnny Thunderbird) for setting this up to aid Derek’s family during this horrible time.
Please consider donating here: https://t.co/UKA2QkzDgu
#SJUBB#ForDJ
A gut punch to learn of the passing of @DSPNSJU. DJ was an outstanding person who was beyond dedicated to St. John’s University, the athletic teams across the board & the SJU community. Always waited around after a game to say hello & was a man for others. RIP to a class act. 🙏
Derek, DJ, DSPN, D…
However you knew him, Derek was the lifeblood of not only St. John’s athletics, but all NYC sports. His post-game stat summary is something that had always fascinated me.
Derek was the face of what fans of St. John’s athletics should be. He was at every single game he could be at, no matter what. D would be the loudest person in the gym or at the fields.
I have had the absolute pleasure of knowing Derek for over 15 years (fellow Molloy boys). He *is* my brother. Our relationship has only blossomed over the last decade-plus of watching St. John’s basketball religiously.
I am so blessed to have had been his right-hand man when he was in attendance.
Derek’s pure soul and genuine care for others is something that I have always admired. His love for not only the event, but for the student-athletes was amazing to see. Derek was always looking to support any St. John’s athlete however he could.
D would always ensure that we saw each other if he was working an event at @TheGarden or at a @Mets game - always having the phone at the ready for a selfie. I am so grateful that I have so many photos of the two of us.
I have been trying to digest this news since I found out earlier today, and this is very difficult for me. I am devastated to learn of his passing.
In reflecting over the last 15.5 years, I am comforted in thinking about the number of people Derek touched. He was such a bright light to all he encountered.
Everyone knew Derek. Everyone loved Derek. Everyone is heartbroken by this news.
To help continue DSPN’s legacy, let’s take the time to be extra kind to all around us, care for all who we interact with, and being present with them…and always have a phone at the ready to take pictures with those who we see.
I love you, Brother. This is far from a goodbye, but it is a “see you later”.
St. John’s games and Mets games will never feel the same without you.
Thank you for making me a better person.
@DSPNSJU
#NonScholaeSedVitae
#SJUBB
Didn't matter what the sport was; men's basketball, women's basketball, baseball, softball, lacrosse, men's soccer, or women's soccer...DSPN was always there and cheering for the Johnnies
Huge loss for the entire St. John's community #sjubb
Absolutely horrible news. DJ “DSPN” was a legend of a fan & one of the nicest & best human beings you’d ever want to meet
I propose we get a pair of beats headphones & hook them over the railing where DJ used to sit—ok stand for all 40 mins haha—at Carnesecca next season #sjubb
This is pure incitement. Israel has provided evidence that an Islamic Jihad rocket fell short on the hospital, yet Rashida hasn't deleted her post.
A sitting member of Congress is inflaming tensions and endangering American Jewish communities.
A group of Chicago area Rabbis attended the funeral of Wadea Al-Fayoume, the six year old Palestinian-American boy who was brutally murdered by his landlord due to his ethnicity and religion.
Rabbi Ari Hart explains why the Rabbis attended the funeral:
“The Jerusalem Talmud teaches that the Jewish people are obligated to comfort the mourners of our people and of all people because of darchei shalom - the paths of peace.
Today, a group of rabbis of us went to the funeral of Wadea Al-Fayoume, a six year old Muslim boy who was killed in his home by his depraved landlord because he was Palestinian and Muslim.
This picture is with the imam of the mosque where the funeral was held. We met with the Imam, heard from the father, and stood with the boy’s community as they mourned this horrific loss. We witnessed the pain. We expressed our shock and condemnation of the attack. We wept.
I can’t say that it was simple to be there.
These are not simple times.
But the murder of a six year old because of his faith and his identity is not complicated. It is a heinous crime. And that’s why we went today.
These days it really feels like the world has lost its way.
But I can’t give up on trying, yearning, dreaming, even right now, of finding the way to shalom. The way to peace.”
Hamas won't let civilians leave Gaza because they use them as human shields. They'll use them as props to try to convince the world Israel is at fault. Never forget how barbaric and inhumane these terrorists are.
Jewish students at University of Washington break down after student orgs host pro-Hamas rally on-campus:
“How are you allowing this?! They want us dead!”
https://t.co/IRPGgwm1YS
I've received some DMs, so I want to make something clear.
The Jewish people have survival etched into their DNA.
For thousands of years, they have endured and persevered. Nothing and no one will ever extinguish them.
Would they survive without a Jewish state?
Of course, but no decent human being should wish for their survival skills to be tested. The safety and protection of the Jewish people rely on the existence of a Jewish state.
This is a deeply held belief of mine that can't be changed with nasty DMs and comments.
And none of what I have said here is at the expense of the Palestinian people, who have suffered greatly and deserve peace, safety, security, and an end to their statelessness.