St. John's University taking St. John's of New York to court over 'Johnnies' trademark

Kimm Anderson / For St. Cloud LIVE By Andy Rennecke Today at 7:00 AM Listen Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. — The fight over who can use the nickname "Johnnies" is now a federal court case. St. John's University, based in Collegeville, filed a complaint on Wednesday, Nov. 4, in U.S. District Court in Minnesota against New York-based St. John's University. ADVERTISEMENT The lawsuit says that recent national use of "Johnnies," "Johnnie," and "Johnny," is creating confusion in recruiting, athletics and merchandise. Minnesota's St. John's says it has continuously used the nickname(s) for students and athletic teams since at least Sept. 1, 1900. The nickname is all over the school's website, printed materials, uniforms, branded merchandise and recruiting materials that are distributed nationally. According to the complaint, Minnesota's St. John's University mainly serves students in the state, but also tries to bring in students nationwide. Recent freshmen classes have included students from New Jersey, Maryland, West Virginia, Florida, Illinois, Texas, Arizona, California and Washington. Kimm Anderson / For St. Cloud LIVE The filing also says that the Order of St. Benedict applied for the trademark on Oct. 24, 2003, and that the mark was assigned to St. John's (Minnesota) on Sept. 7, 2012. St. John's Director of Public Relations Michael Hemmesch declined comment about the lawsuit when reached by St. Cloud LIVE. St. John's sent a cease-and-desist letter on May 13 to the New York school's vice president and general counsel, Terryl L. Brown. The letter stated that the New York school must stop using the nickname and remove it from its website, other recruiting materials and sign a written agreement. St. John's (New York) was called the Redmen starting in the 1920s, but changed its nickname to The Red Storm in 1994. A Thunderbird mascot was chosen in 2009 and was later called "Johnny Thunderbird." In the past, the New York school had used the nickname sparingly. The current and more broader use, especially in athletics, has happened more frequently and now overlaps with the Minnesota school's recruiting goals and markets, according to the filing. The Queens, New York, school, which has yet to respond to the lawsuit, held a "Johnnies Day" in 2023, which has become an annual fundraiser. The complaint also pointed to a recent men's golf schedule post that said "the Johnnies would play 12 tournaments in 10 states." ADVERTISEMENT St. John's (Minnesota) is demanding a jury trial. St. John's (New York) has continued to use the nickname since the May 13 letter. The lawsuit also asked the court to give a permanent ban on use of the nickname by the New York school. It also asks for removal of the nickname and mark from all social media accounts, websites, web address and other merchandise within 30 days of the court's decision. St. John's (Minnesota) also wants the New York school's profits that have been gained from using the nickname, along with attorney fees, cost and interest. The filing also states that the New York school's conduct "was willful." No dollar figure has been put on the damages request. Kimm Anderson / For St. Cloud LIVE Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? Tags Tags ST. JOHN'S JOHNNIES MINNESOTA INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE ST. JOHN'S UNIVERSITY COLLEGEVILLE ST. JOSEPH By Andy Rennecke Andy Rennecke is sports editor for St. Cloud LIVE. He focuses on writing in-depth high school and college features for the St. Cloud metro area (including Sartell, Sauk Rapids and St. Joseph) and for the ROCORI, Albany, Foley and Holdingford School Districts. Send him story ideas or feedback at [email protected] . Twitter Listen to this article Conversation ADVERTISEMENT What To Read Next Subscribers Only UND Hockey Get to know UND freshman forward Cooper Simpson 50m ago · By Brad Elliott Schlossman Women's Sports Bison women absorb injury to 3rd key player amidst 'emotional week' 8h ago · By Eric Peterson Subscribers Only UND Hockey UND looking to build defensive game against the nation's best offense 10h ago · By Brad Elliott Schlossman ADVERTISEMENT Get Local Must Reads Pro Carson Wentz will start for Vikings against Bills 17h ago · By Dane Mizutani / St. Paul Pioneer Press Moorhead 'Our faith is in action': Moorhead church provides kits for those preparing for winter 12h ago · By Kevin Wallevand Arts and Entertainment Guitar invention puts more music in your hands 19h ago · By Tracy Briggs Business Lotus Blossom Asian grocery has closed in Fargo 1d ago · By Stephanie Dickerson