Calhoun Leaves a Legacy in the Political Court, Too

Many words will be devoted to analyzing UConn coach Jim Calhoun’s college basketball legacy but he made a big impact in the state’s political realm as well.

A staunch Democrat from the Boston suburbs who once volunteered for Bobby Kennedy, Calhoun and his wife Patricia Calhoun have given  thousands of dollars to Democratic politicians Chris Dodd and John Larson in recent years, according to OpenSecrets.org.

In fact, Calhoun is likely one of the people who tipped the incredibly tight 2006 election in the 2nd Congressional District toward Joe Courtney.

Just days before election day, Calhoun appeared at a rally on the University of Connecticut campus with Courtney. Actor Ben Affleck was there, too, but at UConn, Hollywood star power only goes so far.

Calhoun received a far more spirited welcome than either the Academy Award-winning actor or the guy who’s actually running for Congress, the Courant reported at the time. “I love you, Jim,” yelled one student as the coach took the microphone to proclaim his support for Courtney.

Courtney wound up beating Republican incumbent Rob Simmons by 83 votes. Many observers say high turnout at UConn was the key factor that won the race for the Democrat.

On Thursday, Courtney issued a statement paying tribute to the coach:

“Coach Calhoun’s footprint in Connecticut will last for ages. His three national championships transformed our state’s self image into one of a winner, and his decades of acts of charity and kindness to those in need have touched countless lives. Most recently, he also led the charge for reform of the basketball program’s academic system, which has already produced dramatic improvement in the past two years.

 “Coach Calhoun and his wife Pat have done all this while at the same time maintaining a strong and tight-knit family that is an example for us all.

“Bravo Coach. Your work and your record have made us proud of our state and proud to be Huskies.”