Calhoun left NU to take the head coaching position at the University of Connecticut (UConn) in May of 1986. In sixteen seasons, his Huskies have a record of 376-149, with a National Invitational Tournament Championship in 1988, as well as the granddaddy of them all, a National Collegiate Athletic Association Men's Division One Basketball Championship in 1999.
Spirit.
Jim Calhoun is a great role model for us all. The fierce competitive spirit transcends through anything he does. The Huskies have never lost a first round tournament game under his tutelage. When diagnosed with prostrate cancer in February of this year, Calhoun vowed: .
"I want to attack this thing. I want to fight this like I've fought everything else in .
my life. I"ll win this battle, and with my family and the love and prayers of .
everybody, be back on the sidelines soon" (msn.espn.go p.1). The man's determination and passion make him a leader that people want to achieve for. .
Growing up Jim Calhoun, like most young boys, looked up to his father. His father was a supervisor at a gas company in Massachusetts. He was also president of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. In Calhoun's own words he states, "His father was a leader and he was everything I hoped to be" (Calhoun p. 42). His father was firm, but he had a soft side also. He did not go into raptures over your work very often so when he did, you knew the task at hand was done precisely the way he wanted it. .
Jim Calhoun's mother gave him his wit and positive outlook on every possible situation. Calhoun reflects "You know, the ability to look at a piece of shit and see it as fertilizer rather than as well, a piece of shit" (p.42). .
Growing up Calhoun played every sport like most boys do. What is interesting is that his father never took a big interest in basketball. His father would always do the father son bonding at football and baseball games. His father was a key figure in showing him what earning your way is all about.
