I was stunned and saddened to read the inflated and misleading

headlines and the accusations directed at me this past

Wednesday, and again in an editorial in Friday’s Hartford
Courant, by an ex-USJ employee and an all-too-eager click-
driven media.

I am angry and hurt that the reputation that I’ve worked so hard
to achieve for over 50 years – actually, for more than 77 years -
was so easily dismissed and thrown aside in return for headlines
or eyeballs or whatever the appropriate term is here. And I’m
especially angry that my career and my name are being used for
legal grandstanding instead of in support for the victims of
discrimination.

While I am best known as a coach, I am first and foremost a

husband, father, grandfather (to 5 granddaughters and 1
grandson), brother (to 4 sisters and 1 brother), and a son who
was raised by a widowed mother. I am a proud Democrat. I was
born a Boston Irishman and have lived in Connecticut for nearly
34 years. I voted for Hillary. I married a feminist. And I have
stood in support for women’s rights and equality for all for as
long as I can remember. I spent the last 8 years at UConn
proudly working under a president who was a woman. I work
under a visionary woman president today and I’m excited that
the Athletic Department at USJ is under the direction of a
newly-hired, talented woman.

I am not without flaws. I can be stubborn, demanding, and

overly passionate on the basketball court. I hold the people that
work with me to a very high standard regardless of gender, race,
or position. I believe that hard work is the key to success and
that there are no shortcuts to the top. I believe in treating people
fairly and I’m extremely proud of my track record in this area. I
have always believed that taking responsibility for one’s actions
is a given, and I believe that leaders lead by example. I have
made mistakes throughout my life and I know that I will
continue to do so. However, I firmly and unequivocally, at no
time, knowingly treated any woman unfairly because of her
gender. In addition, let me be clear, I have never treated any
woman inappropriately.
I accepted the position at USJ not for money or additional fame.
Frankly speaking, at 75 I didn’t need to work. But I was and
continue to be motivated by the challenge of putting the
university’s athletics on the “front porch” of what USJ
represents as an institution. I believe fully in its mission. I
believe in the power, energy, and optimism of young women and
men. I believe that the decision by USJ’s Sisters of Mercy to
become a fully coeducational institution wasn’t intended to
change the nature of what USJ is, but rather, to add and expand
to the richness of USJ and its mission to all women and men.

I am overwhelmed by, and incredibly grateful for, the

outpouring of support that I have received these past few days
from the women I have worked with throughout my career.
Women who have known me - family, friends, peers, and co-
workers from throughout my life - have expressed outrage at
these false allegations and are unequivocally supportive of the
person that I am. That means the world to me and I would like to
say thank you.

I have also had the good fortune to build a reputation beyond

those who know me best. I have always been incredibly honored
by that opportunity and I take that responsibility seriously. I
have looked upon that as a chance to inspire people to stand up
for those with no voice. I have done my best to pay it forward
and I will continue to do so regardless of those who seek to
benefit from my name or headline-grabbing notoriety. I will go
on as a champion of cardiovascular disease, cancer, autism,
UConn, USJ, Juvenile Diabetes, the Franciscan Life Center and
other organizations who seek to help those who are less
fortunate.

As for the accusations that have been reported, I will say only
this - I’m not sure when asking a colleague if they would mind
opening the door because my hands were full became
discrimination or when self-deprecation for being an aging,
clumsy husband became an insult. And call me old-fashioned in
this regard…I use the word “hot” to describe the weather and
the temperature of my morning coffee. And the only woman I
openly compliment is my wife of 53 years and frankly, I call her
“beautiful” or “pretty”...because she is.
Jim Calhoun