Spring Break
Heckler should listen to coach, get some facts
Aaron Igdalsky
Issue date: 2/24/09 Section: Commentary
In case you've been living under a rock the last few days, men's basketball coach Jim Calhoun was confronted during his postgame news conference on Saturday following the Huskies 64-50 win over the South Florida Bulls.
A freelance journalist and UConn Law Student, Ken Krayeske, asked Calhoun, "Coach, considering that you're the highest-paid state employee and there's a $2 billion budget deficit … do you think …" Before Krayeske could finish, Calhoun interjected, saying "Not a dime back. I'd like to be able to retire some day. I'm getting tired."
Krayeske then proceeded to ask the coach if his $1.6 million UConn salary was enough. He continued, asking about Calhoun's private endorsement deal with Comcast. Calhoun then grew angry, asking Krayeske if he was "really that stupid" and advising Krayeske to "shut up."
Krayeske, though correct in pointing out that Coach Calhoun is the highest paid state employee, failed to account for several key facts when he confronted Calhoun on Saturday. First and foremost (and Calhoun made this abundantly clear to Krayeske), the men's basketball program produces a great deal of revenue for the university and the state of Connecticut. According to Calhoun, the men's basketball program brings in $12 million for the university on an annual basis. That figure doesn't even account for the publicity and name-recognition Calhoun's program brings to UConn. That name-recognition and publicity directly translates into dollars for UConn, by means of increased applications from out-of-state students. When one factors in the extra apparel and merchandise sales Calhoun's program brings in for the university, it is indisputable that the men's basketball program brings in more money for the state in revenue than it spends on salaries and other expenses.
There is absolutely some validity to the statement that $1.6 million a year is a significant amount of money for a state employee to be paid. In reality, however, that figure is by no means exorbitant when compared to other highly successful Division I men's basketball coaches. UConn is obligated to pay a salary commensurate with the going market rate; if not, talented professionals like Calhoun will seek employment elsewhere, at institutions willing to offer more competitive compensation.
A freelance journalist and UConn Law Student, Ken Krayeske, asked Calhoun, "Coach, considering that you're the highest-paid state employee and there's a $2 billion budget deficit … do you think …" Before Krayeske could finish, Calhoun interjected, saying "Not a dime back. I'd like to be able to retire some day. I'm getting tired."
Krayeske then proceeded to ask the coach if his $1.6 million UConn salary was enough. He continued, asking about Calhoun's private endorsement deal with Comcast. Calhoun then grew angry, asking Krayeske if he was "really that stupid" and advising Krayeske to "shut up."
Krayeske, though correct in pointing out that Coach Calhoun is the highest paid state employee, failed to account for several key facts when he confronted Calhoun on Saturday. First and foremost (and Calhoun made this abundantly clear to Krayeske), the men's basketball program produces a great deal of revenue for the university and the state of Connecticut. According to Calhoun, the men's basketball program brings in $12 million for the university on an annual basis. That figure doesn't even account for the publicity and name-recognition Calhoun's program brings to UConn. That name-recognition and publicity directly translates into dollars for UConn, by means of increased applications from out-of-state students. When one factors in the extra apparel and merchandise sales Calhoun's program brings in for the university, it is indisputable that the men's basketball program brings in more money for the state in revenue than it spends on salaries and other expenses.
There is absolutely some validity to the statement that $1.6 million a year is a significant amount of money for a state employee to be paid. In reality, however, that figure is by no means exorbitant when compared to other highly successful Division I men's basketball coaches. UConn is obligated to pay a salary commensurate with the going market rate; if not, talented professionals like Calhoun will seek employment elsewhere, at institutions willing to offer more competitive compensation.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
chris
posted 2/24/09 @ 2:18 PM EST
The most intelligent piece I've read about the incident so far. The media's (particularly ESPN's) response to it has been nothing more than a disgusting defense of an ignorant, mediocre journalist. (Continued…)
Carl Winslow
posted 2/24/09 @ 8:22 PM EST
I dont agree with your opinion.
I am a CT taxpayer and I find it pretty remarkable how much Calhoun is making. I dont care what other coaches make in other states, i dont care how much he brings in to the university. (Continued…)
Kim O'Brien
posted 2/24/09 @ 11:14 PM EST
People will pay money to watch Pro and Big time College sports. Paying Calhoun a portion of what he brings in seems logical because without him or someone with his abilities they wouldn't bring in $12 million. (Continued…)
c
posted 2/25/09 @ 11:39 AM EST
"According to Calhoun, the men's basketball program brings in $12 million for the university on an annual basis."
you might want to get a less biased source for that figure. (Continued…)
get some facts
posted 2/25/09 @ 2:59 PM EST
Let's work this out:
1) it's ok to ask about salaries because he's a public employee and it's public information
2) it's ok that this guy asked because he's a UConn Student
3) it's not ok for him to ask about his personal deal with Comcast
Here's where you go wrong. (Continued…)
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