Personality
St. John’s basketball carries the hopes of these political alums
Many other New York politicos have been rooting on their teams in both NCAA basketball tournaments.
It’s time to root on your alma mater in the both NCAA basketball tournaments. Pavlo Gonchar/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
For many New York politicos, March Madness is not just for the love of the game – it’s personal. Elected officials’ alma maters are vying for the NCAA title this year in both men’s and women’s hoops. Though in both brackets, most of New York’s teams did not make it through the first two rounds, their alums still enjoyed the ride – the exception, of course, being St. John’s University in Queens, as the men’s team made the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1999. Here are some of the New York politicians whose alma maters made March Madness.
St. John’s University
There are way too many St. John’s alums in New York politics to name them all, but some of these Jonnies are living their best lives right now.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz (J.D.)
New York City Council Member Amanda Farías (B.A. and M.A.)
Former New York City Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer
Epic! https://t.co/z3xbVuKUrI
— Jimmy Van Bramer (@JimmyVanBramer) March 23, 2026
Assembly Minority Leader Ed Ra (J.D.)
Darling to the hole for the winner!!! pic.twitter.com/gyLoUC3jGj
— Republican Leader Ed Ra (@EdwardRa19) March 22, 2026
Assembly Member Sam Berger (B.A. and J.D.)
State Sen. Joseph Addabbo Jr.
Syracuse University
Syracuse had some people excited this year, but the women’s basketball team didn’t make it to the Sweet 16.
Gov. Kathy Hochul
Rooting for all the New York teams during March Madness. But want to give a special shoutout to my alma mater’s @CuseWBB playing tonight.
— Kathy Hochul (@KathyHochul) March 21, 2026
Go Orange! https://t.co/0v3DEvSiJE
State Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky
State Sen. Thomas O’Mara (J.D.)
Assembly Member Jordan Wright
Assembly Member William Magnarelli (B.A. and J.D.)
New York City Council Member Julie Won
Hofstra University
The Long Island school’s men’s team made the tournament as a No. 13 seed. Some thought the school could be a potential upset pick, but alas.
State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli
Former Gov. David Paterson (J.D.)
State Sen. Siela Bynoe
State Sen. Nathalia Fernandez
State Sen. Luis Sepúlveda (B.A. and J.D.)
State Sen. Steven Rhoads (J.D.)
Assembly Member Tony Simone
Assembly Member Landon Dais (J.D.)
Assembly Member David Weprin (J.D.)
Long Island University
No. 16 seed LIU was a long shot going up against the University of Arizona in the first round, but hey, now people outside of the metropolitan area have heard of LIU!
State Sen. Siela Bynoe (M.P.A.)
New York City Council Member Chris Marte (LIU Global)
Siena University
This was the first time Siena University had made March Madness since 2010. While they fell to overall No. 1 Duke – they put up a fight, and now their coach, Gerry McNamara, has a new gig with the Syracuse men’s team.
Former Rep. Anthony Brindisi
Former Rep. Chris Gibson
Duke University
The Blue Devils may be gearing up to break some Johnnies’ hearts.
Former gubernatorial candidate Andrew Giuliani
Former New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Commissioner Dave Chokshi
University of Michigan
Both the men’s and women’s teams made the Sweet 16 this year – and some New York electeds bleed blue in more ways than one.
Rep. Grace Meng
New York City Council Member Shekar Krishnan (J.D.)
University of California, Los Angeles UCLA has been dominant for years now, with the women’s team making the Sweet 16 four years in a row. And these pols aren’t complaining!
U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (J.D.)
State. Sen. Shelley Mayer