Syracuse honors legendary head coach Jim Boeheim
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00:00 >> And welcome to the Jim Boeheim celebration on Jim Boeheim day here inside the JMA Wireless
00:08 Dome after Syracuse has defeated Notre Dame.
00:12 We send it now to the podium and Syracuse alumnus Mike Tirico.
00:15 >> It's like we're all family in here today as it does every time the basketball team
00:20 comes in the Dome.
00:22 And what, you want to win by 25?
00:24 If we're honoring Coach Boeheim, let's sweat it out and pull out a win and feel great about
00:29 it, right?
00:30 Perfect day.
00:35 There's an unbelievable collection of Syracuse basketball history over here.
00:40 From Louie Mbui to Leo Routon's, the Big East Tournament in the Dome and that game winning
00:45 shot in triple overtime.
00:47 To the '87 Final Four, to Derrick and Sherm and Ronnie, all the stars over the years.
00:55 Of course the '96 Final Four, 2003 in the title, our all-time leading scorer Lawrence
01:01 Moten and the man who brings all of it together including this generation of orange teams,
01:06 34 20-win seasons, five Final Fours, and yes, 1,116 victories.
01:26 You can keep those 101 victories.
01:29 A lot of us were here and saw them and they were wins.
01:38 On behalf of all of the broadcasters who came through Syracuse, all of the alums, all the
01:45 fans, it is an honor and a privilege to represent all of you here today as we honor the best
01:52 coach Syracuse has or will ever see, Jim Boeheim.
01:59 Now you all have been here and created this atmosphere when Jim comes out.
02:04 So as he comes back to Jim Boeheim court, we're going to make sure it's done the proper
02:10 way.
02:11 And this time with a tunnel made up of 50 former players, how is he going to enter?
02:18 But the same way he has done it for many years.
02:22 Jim Boeheim, that's Syracuse basketball.
02:29 One of the best wins ever for a man who has a national championship.
02:40 Syracuse is your national champion.
02:41 All of favor.
02:42 We've had a lot of battles.
02:43 We're going to have a lot more, I hope, in the future.
02:43 What a coach, a legend, what a performance by his team.
03:02 Please welcome to Jim Boeheim court, Hall of Famer, national champion, Syracuse legend,
03:11 Jim Boeheim.
03:14 Jim Boeheim.
03:17 Hall of Famer.
03:21 Jim Boeheim.
03:24 [applause]
03:31 [applause]
03:36 [applause]
03:41 [applause]
03:48 [applause]
03:50 Knowing Jim, there is nothing you enjoy more than getting attention.
03:56 So here you are in a chair by yourself in a building that you made special,
04:01 and you're just going to have to sit here for 15 minutes and listen.
04:05 Your players would have loved that in a day.
04:08 We'll pay you back now.
04:10 Please welcome County Executive Ryan McMahon and Mayor Ben Walsh
04:15 for a special presentation.
04:17 [applause]
04:24 The County of Onondaga and City of Syracuse
04:27 proudly join the Syracuse University students, faculty, staff, alumni, fans,
04:32 and community members in celebrating the extraordinary career of Jim Boeheim
04:36 for his distinguished leadership on the court and in the community.
04:40 The City of Syracuse, Mayor Ben Walsh, and County Executive Ryan McMahon
04:45 do hereby proclaim today, Saturday, February 24, 2024,
04:50 as Jim Boeheim Day throughout the City of Syracuse.
04:54 [applause]
04:55 Thank you, gentlemen.
04:57 [applause]
05:05 We're going to do a handoff here because there are more of those to come.
05:09 Please welcome New York State Assemblymember Bill Magnarelli
05:14 and New York State Senator John Mannion for a special presentation
05:19 as they present Coach Boeheim with this resolution from the New York State Legislature.
05:26 Assemblymember Bill Magnarelli and Senator John Mannion
05:30 do hereby proclaim today, Saturday, February 24, as Jim Boeheim Day.
05:37 Thank you, gentlemen.
05:38 [applause]
05:41 And thank you to the State Assembly and the State Senate
05:45 in the great Empire State of New York.
05:49 Coach Boeheim's impact was much bigger than his impact on Onondaga County
05:54 and on the City of Syracuse.
05:56 As you know, we are New York's college team.
06:00 That's not just Syracuse, New York. That is New York.
06:04 Coach's legacy and success was shared throughout the state
06:09 from the Hamptons to Niagara Falls.
06:13 Here's a special message from Orange alum and New York Governor Kathy Hocken.
06:20 Hi, everyone.
06:21 As a fellow Syracuse alum and a lifelong fan,
06:24 I wanted to take this moment to personally congratulate Coach Boeheim
06:28 on your incredible career.
06:30 47 seasons, five Final Fours, a national championship.
06:34 You've truly cemented yourself as a legend,
06:37 not just for Syracuse but for college basketball.
06:40 I was a freshman when you first started coaching,
06:43 and I'll never forget the thrill of being at the Manly Fieldhouse Zoo
06:46 watching Roosevelt Bowie, Lois Ohr, Dale Shackelford, Hal Cohen,
06:51 great, great, great members of the team.
06:54 I watched you coach a generation of Orange Stars,
06:57 igniting passion in countless fans.
06:59 And you built a program that is synonymous with grit, determination,
07:04 and that iconic 2-3 zone.
07:06 But more than all those wins and championships,
07:09 you embody the spirit of Syracuse.
07:11 You bleed orange, you demand excellence,
07:14 and you've inspired the community to rally behind this team.
07:17 Your legacy will echo through the JMA Wireless Dome for generations to come.
07:22 Thank you, coach, for everything.
07:24 I hope you're enjoying some well-deserved rest these days.
07:27 Just know that your name will be forever associated with our beloved SU.
07:31 Thank you.
07:33 [applause]
07:38 All right, so here's the deal.
07:40 We're celebrating coach.
07:42 There's no booing the rest of the day unless we say Georgetown.
07:46 [booing]
07:49 There you go.
07:50 Representing Governor Hochul is Regional Director Tracy DeGeneva
07:54 to present Coach Boeheim with this proclamation.
07:57 [applause]
08:01 And with this proclamation, that means today is Jim Boeheim Day
08:06 in the city of Syracuse, in Onondaga County, and the entire state of New York.
08:12 Congratulations, coach.
08:14 [applause]
08:22 As we celebrate Coach Boeheim's great leadership,
08:25 our university is in a great shape and great position right now
08:29 because of some extraordinary leadership from our chancellor.
08:32 We welcome Chancellor Kent Syverud and Dr. Ruth Chen to the court.
08:37 [applause]
08:45 Jim Boeheim has been on this campus for most of his life
08:48 and a coach for 45-plus years.
08:51 He's helped build Syracuse men's basketball into a national powerhouse,
08:55 giving selfless leads to community programs and local causes,
08:58 and emphasized the importance of education in all that he does.
09:03 To honor Coach Boeheim, we're pleased to announce the creation
09:07 of a new endowed scholarship in his name,
09:11 the Jim Boeheim '66 Central New York Scholarship.
09:16 This scholarship will be awarded to undergraduate students
09:19 with demonstrated financial need, with a preference to students
09:23 who are residents of the Central New York and Finger Lakes region.
09:28 A plaque presented by Chancellor Syverud and Dr. Ruth Chen.
09:32 [applause]
09:41 We now welcome Coach Autry and the men's basketball program to the court,
09:46 as they'd like to present Coach Boeheim with a special gift.
09:50 [applause]
09:58 We all know that Coach Autry had an amazing career here at Syracuse,
10:01 plenty of spectacular accomplishments.
10:04 The men's basketball program wanted to capture that legacy,
10:07 so they commissioned a painting that represents some of the most iconic moments
10:12 through Coach's career.
10:15 Enjoy that painting. Congratulations.
10:17 [applause]
10:27 Coach Boeheim, you helped build the legacy of Syracuse men's basketball,
10:31 and you will continue to be a part of its future.
10:34 Everyone please look up at the video board for a moment
10:36 as we present new renderings from the Carrello K. Anthony Basketball Center.
10:43 As a permanent feature, the entryway to the Mellow Center will pay homage
10:48 to Coach Boeheim and forever be known as the Jim Boeheim entrance
10:54 to the Carrello K. Anthony Basketball Center.
10:58 [applause]
11:03 That means that every recruit and student athlete that walks through those doors
11:08 will know the rich history and the expectation of playing basketball at Syracuse.
11:14 [applause]
11:17 And one last time, I ask you to turn your attention to the video screen.
11:21 [video playing]
11:25 There are lots of stories about people who have had seismic effects on games,
11:30 teams, schools, towns, and cities.
11:34 Stories of wins, tales of titles, moments both good and bad,
11:40 moments of mentorship and tough love, sometimes real tough but still love.
11:47 Above all, decades of unwavering support.
11:51 Jim Boeheim defines Syracuse.
11:54 The program, the university, the city.
11:59 It started with you and Dave Bing and Manley
12:01 showing the world what Syracuse could be.
12:05 Then, when it was time to move on, graduate, and take your talents elsewhere,
12:10 you did it, and that made all the difference.
12:14 We all bleed honors, but yours is the deepest hue.
12:18 So with Louie and Bui, with Leo and Sean, with Brad, Wendell, and the Pearl,
12:24 you made us all believe in the honor and made our hue a bit deeper too.
12:30 It's easy to skip to '03, but you miss so many moments.
12:34 Jim Boeheim and Syracuse have done it, back from the dead.
12:40 So many memories.
12:41 Jim Boeheim is living.
12:44 The Big East titles.
12:45 McNamara, 3.1.
12:47 [cheering]
12:50 The classic rivalries.
12:52 The '96 miracle that put the main cues in the headlines.
12:56 Oh my God, oh my God.
12:58 [cheering]
13:02 So many ballers.
13:04 So many greats.
13:06 In '03, that was the moment that solidified what we knew.
13:10 To the corner, Lee Soplock.
13:12 And Syracuse is your national champion.
13:15 [cheering]
13:19 Our moment at the top of the sport.
13:22 No man more deserving of a victory ride than that coach right there.
13:27 But you weren't done yet.
13:29 The moment stacked so high, the winds high.
13:33 Got it!
13:34 Syracuse wins!
13:35 Are you serious?
13:37 The fans there every step of the way.
13:39 35,000 plus fans here tonight.
13:43 The energy in here is tremendous.
13:45 It's a goose bump kind of night right now here at the Carrier Dome.
13:49 We've got a crowd of over 30,000, the largest in college basketball this year.
13:54 And you were there for them.
13:56 Not just on the basketball court, but in the community.
13:59 And as the time flew, as it does, boys became men, sons became players,
14:05 and your legacy continued to grow.
14:08 You may say it was a gift to you, but really, it was a gift to us.
14:16 National champion.
14:18 Hall of Famer.
14:19 Leader.
14:20 Legend.
14:22 The hero that never left.
14:27 Thank you, coach.
14:29 We love you.
14:31 [cheers and applause]
14:35 [cheers and applause]
14:39 [cheers and applause]
15:04 [cheers and applause]
15:07 I'm glad that you all follow the lead of Q.
15:20 Q is our hype man.
15:21 He told you to stay up.
15:22 Well done, Q.
15:23 Way to go.
15:25 For a lot of us, that was our lifetime.
15:28 And so many incredible memories and tears.
15:31 Julie, a lot of us.
15:34 Special moments.
15:35 We've shared a lot of special moments in this building with you, coach.
15:38 How about another one?
15:40 Please welcome Director of Athletics, John Wildhack, to the court
15:43 for one last presentation.
15:46 [applause]
15:49 So, coach's name is on the court.
15:56 His name is up there in the ring of honor next to Jim Brown
15:59 and Ernie Davis and Floyd Little.
16:01 What else can we do to memorialize Coach Boeheim's name in the rafters?
16:08 Please turn your attention to section 309
16:12 as we raise a Jim Boeheim banner for permanent recognition.
16:18 [applause]
16:22 [applause]
16:50 I'd like to thank Adrian and the players
16:56 for turning a very boring game
16:59 [laughter]
17:01 into a very exciting finish.
17:04 [laughter]
17:06 Thank you.
17:08 [applause]
17:11 I'd also like to congratulate Adrian, the staff, the players
17:16 for having an amazing year this year.
17:21 [applause]
17:24 The injuries, the difficulties, and playing six sophomores
17:34 and to be in the position they're in, I think is an unbelievable,
17:40 unbelievable coaching year.
17:42 [applause]
17:47 And despite what Mr. Lenardi says,
17:53 we're still on the bubble. Don't worry about that.
17:57 [applause]
18:00 You know, I came here in 1962,
18:07 scared, freshman, didn't know shit.
18:11 [laughter]
18:14 I'm not scared anymore, but as my wife Julie will tell you,
18:19 you still don't know shit.
18:21 [laughter]
18:24 When we decided to move into the Dome,
18:32 every one of us coaches and everybody says,
18:38 "We can't do that. We can't do that.
18:41 "We can't play in that building.
18:44 "It's a football stadium. There's no parking.
18:48 "It's cold. We won't get 15,000 fans."
18:53 But I'll tell you what, all the people sitting here
18:59 and all the people over the years proved me wrong,
19:06 thankfully, and filled this building.
19:11 [applause]
19:14 I've said this many, many times.
19:22 The reason our program is where it has been and is and will be
19:27 is because of Syracuse basketball fans.
19:31 [applause]
19:35 Like I said, when I came here in 1962,
19:39 Syracuse had lost 29 straight games in basketball.
19:45 We were a football school, well known for that,
19:49 but a guy came here that changed all that.
19:55 The greatest player to ever play at Syracuse University
20:03 who started this all, Mr. Dave Bingham.
20:08 [applause]
20:11 Stand up.
20:18 [applause]
20:21 Thank you, David.
20:39 I'd like to take a minute to thank my family.
20:45 They're trying to play basketball someplace in the world,
20:50 a couple of them, but I think Buddy's probably good enough
20:56 to play here now.
20:59 [applause]
21:02 And being able to coach your sons is something
21:07 I can't even describe.
21:09 My daughter Elizabeth, who was my first daughter,
21:17 she's now tied for first with Sissy.
21:22 Thank you, Sissy.
21:24 [applause]
21:27 Sissy's the only one of us that's won three championships,
21:32 by the way.
21:34 [applause]
21:37 And the reason these last 26 years have been possible
21:42 is because Julie Boeheim came into my life, changed my life,
21:48 and managed to get me through these last 26 years.
21:53 I never would have without her in any way, shape, or form.
21:59 Thank you.
22:02 [applause]
22:06 The coaches that I've had have been unbelievable.
22:14 They did the things that had to be done to make me look good.
22:18 Obviously, Adrian, Jerry, and Alan are still here.
22:23 [applause]
22:26 I've had so many great coaches,
22:32 and I haven't told this story that much,
22:35 but I had an assistant, Troy Weaver,
22:37 who came to me one day in January and said,
22:41 "Coach, we've got to go down to Baltimore to see this kid."
22:45 And I said, "It's the season. I'm not going."
22:48 He said, "No, we have to go.
22:50 "This kid can win the national championship for Syracuse."
22:56 And we went down to see him, and he said,
22:59 "I'm going to win the national championship."
23:02 And we went down to see Carmelo Anthony.
23:06 [applause]
23:09 He made--he made the first three plays of the game
23:15 were a three, a pull-up, and a dump.
23:18 And I turned to Troy Weaver, and I said,
23:20 "I think you're right."
23:22 [laughter]
23:24 But the coaches have been unbelievable.
23:27 From the beginning to the end,
23:29 they all mean so much to me.
23:33 Their family--we have a family here.
23:38 And I'm so proud of these guys,
23:43 what they've done on the basketball court
23:46 and what they've done in life.
23:50 It's the only tribute that really matters to me
23:55 is what these guys are, what they become,
23:58 what these guys are going to become.
24:01 [applause]
24:04 I said it once a long time ago to somebody,
24:17 "Where would you be if you could pick any place on Earth?"
24:26 And I said--I thought about it.
24:29 I had to think about it for a couple minutes.
24:33 And I said, "Syracuse, New York."
24:36 [applause]
24:44 Because we have the greatest fans.
24:51 You guys come no matter what,
24:57 up and down seasons.
25:00 You guys come to the game,
25:02 not just when we win, all the time.
25:06 And I've been forever grateful for that,
25:09 and I knew when I started coaching here
25:13 that I would never leave here
25:16 because of all the fans that have been there for us
25:21 for my 47 years and will continue to be there
25:26 for these guys and Coach Autry
25:31 for the next at least 20 or 30 of his coaching career.
25:36 [cheers and applause]
25:40 [cheers and applause]
25:43 I'm going to just--I don't like to do this,
25:48 but I'm going to do this,
25:50 and I talked about all the great players.
25:53 But my first year,
25:55 when I hired Rick Pitino on his wedding day,
26:00 and we went out and got two guys.
26:03 One of them's with us today.
26:06 One of them we've lost,
26:09 but my career got started
26:13 at the very top of college basketball
26:16 because of Louis Orr and Roosevelt Bewley.
26:21 [cheers and applause]
26:24 [cheers and applause]
26:27 And I'm pretty sure we don't win the national championship
26:43 if some little guard freshman
26:45 doesn't make six threes in the first half.
26:49 Thank you.
26:51 [cheers and applause]
26:54 I just want to say thank you
27:13 to Syracuse University
27:16 for allowing me to come here as a walk-on in 1962
27:22 and to then the new Manly Fieldhouse
27:26 and then to be able to be here all these years
27:31 and just to have the best job you could ever have.
27:36 And Adrian--and I just tell Adrian,
27:41 these are days that you have
27:43 when everything looks so great,
27:47 and then we forget a little bit
27:49 about playing defense for Spill at one end.
27:53 [cheers and applause]
27:56 And we're not going to do that again.
28:01 We got a lot left in this season.
28:03 I wish these guys luck, Adrian luck,
28:07 from the bottom of my heart.
28:09 Thank you for giving me a life
28:11 that nobody could have asked for.
28:14 [cheers and applause]
28:17 [cheers and applause]
28:20 Thank you, everyone, for coming tonight.
28:44 Congratulations.
28:46 It's great not to say goodbye,
28:48 but to say thank you, Coach Boeheim.
28:50 Support these guys from Senior Night, Tuesday night,
28:53 and thanks for being forever orange.
28:55 Go orange.
28:57 [cheers and applause]
29:00 And thank you, Mike Tirico.
29:02 With Randolph-Childress, I'm Doug Sherman,
29:04 and what a day to be here in Central New York
29:06 to celebrate Jim Boeheim.
29:08 Just an amazing day, and it's an honor to be here with you,
29:11 and it's just great to see a Hall of Fame coach
29:14 be honored for a place that he means so much to the city,
29:18 and they just love him, and it's just a heartfelt moment
29:22 that's just an honor,
29:24 and he's so deserving of all of this,
29:26 and he's going to be missed.
29:29 Well, thank you for those of you who have joined us
29:33 here on ACC Network Extra.
29:35 An emotional afternoon in the Dome,
29:37 most importantly for Coach Boeheim.
29:39 His team played enough defense to get the win
29:41 over the Fighting Irish, but tears have been shed.
29:43 A new banner raised, a new scholarship
29:46 in Coach Boeheim's name.
29:48 On Jim Boeheim Day in Syracuse, for Randolph, I'm Doug.
29:51 Thanks so much for sharing it with us.
29:54 [upbeat music]
29:57 ♪ ♪
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