Boeheim Receives Four-Year Contract Extension From Syracuse

SYRACUSE, NY – Syracuse University and Hall of Fame men’s basketball coach Jim Boeheim have agreed on a four-year contract extension, according to SU director of athletics Dr. Daryl Gross. Boeheim had two years remaining on his existing arrangement with the institution.

“This contract extension recognizes Jim Boeheim for who he is – one of the top college basketball coaches in the country,” Gross said. “We are thrilled to have a commitment from him to continue running our men’s basketball program for an additional four years.”

“I am appreciative of the university’s effort to put together this contract extension,” said Boeheim. “The administrative and community support we receive allows our program to remain competitive in Division I college basketball. At Syracuse, I look forward to that challenge each year.”

Boeheim, who will be formally inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in September, recently completed his 29^th campaign at the helm of his alma mater’s basketball program. His 2004-05 Syracuse team ended its season in a familiar place – the NCAA Tournament. The Orange was 27-7 and made the 24th NCAA postseason appearance of Boeheim’s tenure. Boeheim guided his club to a 20-win campaign for the 27th time in his career. During the season, Boeheim earned the 700th victory of his SU tenure and became the 18th coach in Division I history to reach the milestone.

Hall of Fame selection has capped a remarkable climb for the native of Lyons, N.Y. Boeheim enrolled at Syracuse in 1962 and was a walk-on with the basketball team that year. By Boeheim’s senior season, he was a team captain along with the legendary Dave Bing. The Orange was 22-6 overall that year and earned the team’s second-ever NCAA Tournament berth.

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in social science, Boeheim played professional basketball with Scranton of the Eastern League. He was a member of two championship squads and earned second-team all-star honors.

In 1969 he turned to a career in coaching and was hired as a graduate assistant at SU by head coach Roy Danforth. He was soon promoted to a full-time assistant coaching post and was part of the staff that guided the Orange to the program’s first Final Four appearance in 1975. A year later he was appointed head coach at his alma mater.

In Boeheim’s 29 years at the helm, the Orange has produced only winning records. SU has earned postseason berths (NCAA or NIT) in all but one of Boeheim’s seasons. He has pushed the Orange to three NCAA championship game appearances (1987, 1996 and 2003) and 24 NCAA tournament invitations in all. Boeheim guided SU to the ultimate finish in 2003, the NCAA Championship.

Boeheim wrapped up his 29th season as head coach on the Hill with a 703-241 overall record. He now ranks fifth among active Division I coaches in winning percentage and tied for sixth in victories. His 27 20-win campaigns place him in a second-place tie with Bobby Knight and Lute Olson on the all-time Division I list. He is also eighth in Division I NCAA Tournament wins.

On February 24, 2002, the University named the Carrier Dome court “Jim Boeheim Court” in recognition of his many accomplishments. Boeheim joined a select group of coaches working the sidelines of a court named after them.

He is the dean of the BIG EAST Conference men’s basketball coaches and is the only head coach who has served for the entire life of the league. Boeheim is the BIG EAST leader in coaching victories (311).

A three-time BIG EAST Coach of the Year, Boeheim has been honored as District II Coach of the Year 10 times by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC). During the 2000 Final Four he was presented with the Claire Bee Award in recognition of his contributions to the sport. In the fall of 2000, he received Syracuse University’s Arents Award, the school’s highest alumni honor.

Boeheim has had success coaching on the international stage as well. In 2001 Boeheim led the USA Basketball Young Men's Team to the gold medal at the World Championship in Japan. It marked his seventh year of USA Basketball coaching experience. That fall he was named USA Basketball 2001 National Coach of the Year.

A year ago he was appointed by NCAA President Myles Brand to the College Basketball Partnership (CBP), a panel named to address the challenges and opportunities that face the sport of college basketball. In addition to Boeheim, the panel also includes Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, Oklahoma coach Kelvin Sampson, chair emeritus of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Dave Gavitt, Big Ten Conference Commissioner Jim Delaney and Iowa Director of Athletics Bob Bowlsby, among others associated with the sport.

A champion of many charitable causes, Boeheim has been most active with “Coaches vs. Cancer,” a national fundraising organization. Boeheim’s local campaign has led all others in money raised for seven of the last eight years. This past weekend, he and his wife, Juli, hosted the sixth annual “Basket Ball,” a black-tie event that has raised more than $3 million in six years.

He has also lent his time to Crouse Hospital’s Kienzle Family Maternity Center, the Children’s Miracle Network, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Pioneer Center for the Blind and Disabled, Lighthouse, People in Wheelchairs, Easter Seals, the Special Olympics, the Rescue Mission and the Jack Bruen Fund. The Crouse Health Foundation chose Boeheim as its honoree for Tribute Evening 2003, the Foundation’s annual back tie fundraising gala. Later this month, he will receive the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center Inspiration Award from the University of Rochester Medical Center.

Jim and his wife, Juli, are parents of James Arthur Boeheim, III, and twins Jack and Jamie. Jim also has a daughter, Elizabeth.

Syracuse University Athletics

Boeheim Receives Four-Year Contract Extension From Syracuse

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