Sam Gejdenson: “I do want to take this first opportunity back from the NCAA for a little bit of bragging rights, and when I was there in…”

“I do want to take this first opportunity back from the NCAA for a little bit of bragging rights, and when I was there in Europe I met some other folks from Connecticut, some from my own district, and one of the great things about our State is that our UCONN basketball teams, men and women but this year it is the men's turn, are really the center of attention from an athletic perspective. Our team beat the Duke Blue Devils 77 to 74 for that championship, and with this win UCONN became the first school in New England to win this NCAA since 1947. It was a great team. They made an incredible effort on that day and through the whole season. What is clear to all of us is that each and every one of the players put their heart and soul and every bit of effort in it, and I congratulate each one of them. But I want to take a moment in particular for Jim Calhoun and his entire coaching staff. Coach Calhoun, who is a great coach and a great human being, someone that is involved in the community to help good causes, has been at UCONN since 1986 and has built an incredibly impressive record. In 13 seasons his record is 304 wins, 120 losses. Coach Calhoun has taken UCONN basketball from the backwaters to the front edge of competition, and he has succeeded time and time again in the Big East, in the championships, and finally this year in the NCAA.”