Coach pg 9 9-27-12
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- Category: Past Issues
By Ron P. Coderre
This story is not about wins and losses. It’s not about National Championships or Big East titles. It’s not about how many players he’s coached who reached the National Basketball Association.
UConn basketball coach Jim Calhoun announced his retirement Sept. 13, following 26 seasons of guiding the Huskies hoops fortunes. The announcement elicited mixed reaction to the news. This story is about Jim Calhoun the person.
The current contingent of players on the Storrs campus and the majority of former Calhoun coached players appeared very saddened by the announcement. University President Susan Herbst summarized the news as a day of sorrow, celebration and appreciation.
On the other hand many NCAA basketball officials probably breathed a collective sigh of relief, knowing that officiating games at Gampel Pavilion and the XL Center will likely be much less hectic from here on. Calhoun’s detractors, and there were many in the state, are probably relieved to know that the sideline decorum will be different than some of the past public tirades directed at players and officials.
But love him or hate him, 70-year-old Jim Calhoun, originally from Braintree, Mass., has to be credited with not only turning the UConn basketball program around, but is also the catalyst who helped turn the UConn into a world class university.
A number of years ago prior to a game between UConn and Notre Dame in Hartford, I was invited to attend a social, which was hosted by the university’s education counseling department at a nearby hotel. That evening the head of the program, who noted he wasn’t a jock, proclaimed to a huge audience from throughout the state that the new found success of the school could partially credited to the legitimacy coach Calhoun brought to UConn by producing a winning product.
Despite the accolades I remained neutral about coach Calhoun because of the televised tirades and stories from fans who sat behind the Huskies bench at games. It wasn’t until about three years ago, when I had the opportunity to listen to Calhoun in person that I saw the other side of Jim Calhoun.
I discovered an intense man who revealed to an audience of more than 200 at a kickoff for the Regional Community YMCA, the role the Y played in his life. Jim Calhoun lost his dad at the young age of 15 and it was the people at the Y and basketball that helped him forge his way to American International College. He told stories of how the Y had helped so many of his players lead productive successful lives.
In the intimacy of his athletic office on campus a couple years later, he also related stories of the love he’s developed with all of his players through the years. The man with the stern courtside façade is totally opposite when it comes to helping people, often people less fortunate.
When he tells the story of a young and troubled Caron Butler, who is now a successful National Basketball Association all star, he wears his emotion and passion on his sleeve. He’s proud that he’s positively influenced Butler. When he says, “Every year on Father’s Day I receive a call from Caron.” The voice on the other end of the line says, “Hey Pop I’m calling to wish you a Happy Father’s Day.” As he tells the story it’s difficult for the listener to hold back emotions.
Those types of stories, and they are numerous, define the other Jim Calhoun. One who only very few people are fortunate to know.
Now the man who’s amassed 873 college coaching victories, brought three NCAA National Championships and 17 Big East titles to Connecticut, and helped 26 of his players reach the NBA can take a well deserve respite and look back at not only all he’s achieved but all he’s meant to so many.
The Pomfret resident can spend more time with his lovely wife, Pat, who’s been his rock during his 40 years in coaching. He can relax on the golf course with his son’s Jim, Jr. and Jeff and devote time to his grandchildren. If it’s possible he can become Jim Calhoun, citizen. He’ll always be a celebrity but in fairness to himself and his loved ones, they all deserve down time.
Jim Calhoun has forged a huge footprint in Storrs and on the nation. Jim Calhoun’s name and his legend are carved in perpetuity, love him or hate him.