[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 14 (Tuesday, February 24, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E206]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IN HONOR OF JIM CALHOUN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SAM GEJDENSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 24, 1998

  Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
constituent of mine, Jim Calhoun of Mansfield. Mr. Calhoun is the Coach 
of the University of Connecticut Men's Basketball Team. On December 
30th of 1997, Jim recorded his 500th victory as a college coach and 
more significantly, he is the first coach to win 250 games at two 
different Division I schools: the University of Connecticut, which is 
my alma mater and Northwestern University.
  Mr. Calhoun is the first New England coach to reach the 500 victory 
mark and he now has more victories than any Division I coach in that 
six-state region. It is all part of a composite that has earned him a 
standing as one of Connecticut's most popular personalities.
  In the 500 victory category, Calhoun joined such giants of the sport 
as Dean Smith, John Wooden, Phog Allen, Adolph Rupp and John Thompson. 
Thompson, the Georgetown mentor, made a significant observation when he 
was quoted as saying ``Jim doesn't get the credit he probably deserves 
nationally, but he's one of the best coaches in the country.''
  Calhoun was the 46th coach in Division I history to reach the 500 win 
milestone, but he is number one among UConn fans for the contributions 
he has made to the State University since he took over its basketball 
program in 1986. His first coaching assignment after college was at Old 
Lyme High School, one of the excellent schools in the Second District 
that I proudly represent.
  Since his time at Old Lyme, as one newspaper headlined, he has been a 
``consistent winner.'' That is the most accurate assessment of this 
legendary coach in the fullest measure of the term.
  My congratulations to Jim, Pat, his wife of 31 years, and his 
children.
  Calhoun and UConn, a wonderful and productive partnership for his 
students, players, University, and for our entire community.

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