In Recognition Of Coach Jim Boeheim
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…
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
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.