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The “Thank You, NYPD” campaign in New York is an ongoing effort to show our appreciation for those who wear blue.
The campaign encouraged residents to upload videos expressing their appreciation for the department. St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino was among those who responded, thanking those he said helped maintain a safe urban environment.
“I want to sincerely thank the NYPD officers who are doing an incredible job keeping our city safe,” Pitino said Friday in a video posted to Madison Square Garden’s Instagram account. “Thank you so much.”
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FOX Sports broadcaster Gus Johnson interviews St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino after the Red Storm defeated the Connecticut Huskies in the Big East Conference Tournament championship at Madison Square Garden in New York on March 14, 2026. (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. Fifth-seeded St. John’s played No. 12 Northern Iowa Friday night in San Diego.
Later this month, as part of the campaign, Madison Square Garden will host an exclusive concert featuring an all-star lineup, including Cyndi Lauper, John Fogerty, rapper and New York Knicks fan Fat Joe and others. St. John’s plays most of its home games at Madison Square Garden.
ICONIC SPORTS VENUE MADISON SQUARE GARDEN TO HOST NYPD AND STAFF AT PRIVATE CONCERT AMID THANK YOU EFFORTS
“Today we announced ‘Thank You, NYPD,’ a campaign encouraging all New Yorkers to thank the New York City Police Department for their service to our great city!” Madison Square Garden said in an article on X on Wednesday.
Newly minted New York City police officers greet family members after their police cadet graduation ceremony on March 9, 2026, outside Madison Square Garden in New York. (Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images)
Uniformed police officers and civilian personnel, as well as their loved ones, will be invited to the private event scheduled for March 28. “The Garden” also urged New York residents to submit individual thank you videos.
Comedians Chris Distefano and Sam Morril are also among the artists confirmed for the event.
MSG Entertainment said it would donate the venue and cover all event costs. Jim Dolan, CEO and executive chairman of MSG Entertainment and MSG Sports, said the event was not political but a “heartfelt” show of gratitude to the city’s police department.
Madison Square Garden sports director Jim Dolan watches a game between the Houston Rockets and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on January 17, 2024, in New York. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
“There are times in our culture today when the voice of dissent is louder than that of the majority. That is the case with law enforcement and, in particular, the New York Police Department,” Dolan said. in a statement.
“Cries of ‘defund the police’ and other negative statements do not reflect the true feelings of New Yorkers. If that is what our cops hear 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, as New Yorkers, need, respect and appreciate their efforts and service.”
