[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 177 (Thursday, November 20, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2297-E2298]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN RECOGNITION OF COACH JIM BOEHEIM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES T. WALSH

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 19, 2008

  Mr. WALSH of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Coach Jim Boeheim for helping to bring home a Gold Medal in Men's 
Basketball at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and for his decades of service 
to Syracuse University basketball and the Syracuse community.
  Jim Boeheim, an Upstate New York native from the Wayne County town of 
Lyons, began his career with Syracuse basketball as a walk-on player in 
1962. By the time he was a senior he had worked his way to being a co-
captain and helped lead his team to the NCAA tournament for the second 
time in school history. After graduating from Syracuse, Jim had a 
successful pro playing career until he turned to coaching when he 
joined the Syracuse Men's Basketball coaching staff in 1969. He worked 
his way up the ranks, starting as a graduate assistant coach to 
ultimately being named head coach in 1976.
  For 32 years Jim Boeheim has honorably served as head coach of the 
Syracuse University Men's basketball team. During his tenure he has 
become one of the most successful and respected coaches in college 
basketball history. He has led all of his teams to a winning record, 
including 30 seasons with 20 or more wins. His 30-20 win or better 
seasons ties him with coaching legend Dean Smith for the most ever. 
Under Coach Boeheim's direction, SU has made it to the post-season 31 
times, including 25 trips to the NCAA Tournament where they made 
appearances in three championship games. In 2003 Coach Boeheim led the 
Syracuse Orange to its first ever NCAA National Championship Title.
  With 771 career wins, Jim ranks 11th all time in wins among Division 
I head coaches, 4th among active coaches. He is also the winningest 
coach in Big East Conference history, with 342 conference wins, which 
include five conference championships. In September 2005 he was 
inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
  In November 2005, Jim continued to add to his hall of fame resume 
when he was named as one of three assistant coaches for USA Basketball 
Men's National Team for a three year appointment. His coaching 
expertise helped lead Team USA to an undefeated record in the 2008 
Olympics, culminating in a 118-107 victory over Spain in the gold medal 
game. Team USA's victory not only brought home a gold medal, but it 
also restored pride and respect in American basketball, and Jim's role 
in achieving both was instrumental. His role as part of the gold medal 
men's basketball team gives us all another reason to applaud him. With 
his Olympic success, Jim brought a piece of Syracuse to Beijing and a 
piece of the gold back to Syracuse.
  Jim is someone that I have admired for his entire career, not only 
for being a great coach, but for also being a great human being. He has 
always handled himself with class, even in the face of adversity from 
critics, many of whom have never even played basketball. He has never 
looked for credit in his teams' successes; he just goes out and does 
his job and does it well. I also hold Jim in high regard for his 
selfless contributions to his community through numerous charitable 
initiatives, including Coaches vs. Cancer, for which he has been a top 
fundraiser, nationwide, for many years.
  On behalf of the people of the 25th District of New York, I thank 
Coach Boeheim for his contributions to basketball, both at Syracuse and 
at the Olympic games, and for being an outstanding community leader. I 
also wish to

[[Page E2298]]

thank Jim's wife Juli and his children for sharing him with us for all 
these years. Thank you Jim for your service and congratulations on all 
of your success. Best of luck in the upcoming season; I know you and 
your team will continue to make us proud.

                          ____________________