Jim Calhoun

In establishing himself as one of college basketball's premier program builders, Jim Calhoun's base of operations for his entire career has been the birthplace of the game he loves - New England. From his native Braintree, MA to his collegiate playing days at American International College in Springfield, MA, to brief tenures at high schools in Connecticut and Massachusetts, Calhoun never left home. In 1972, Calhoun began a remarkable run that would redefine New England college basketball, astutely transforming the Northeastern University and University of Connecticut programs. For 14 seasons (1972-86), Calhoun upgraded Northeastern from Division II status to a perennial NCAA Division I tournament team. Since 1986, Calhoun has elevated Connecticut from regional contender to two-time NCAA national champion and has created one of the nation's elite college basketball programs. In 2009 Calhoun won the 800^th game of his career and led the Huskies to the school’s third Final Four.