KW: Even though I am not in the Green Party anymore, I do respect the work of green activists. And, I will be covering a lot of various third party and independent activists and candidates…
“[Coach Jim] Calhoun…is set to make $1.6 million in 2009-10, the final year of his contract.”
(excerpt from) Sporting News
Activist angers Calhoun by questioning salary
Posted: February 21, 2009
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun [basketball coach] got into a heated exchange at a postgame news conference Saturday with a freelance journalist and political activist who questioned why the coach of a public university was making $1.6 million in tough economic times.
“Not a dime back,” Calhoun joked as Ken Krayeske asked about Calhoun’s salary and the state’s budget deficit, which is estimated at $944 million for the current fiscal year and up to $8 billion over the next two years.
When Krayeske continued the line of questioning, Calhoun got angry…
“Quite frankly, we bring in $12 million to the university, nothing to do with state funds,” Calhoun shouted back. “We make $12 million a year for this university. Get some facts and come back and see me …
Krayeske, 36, of Hartford is a political activist and self-described freelance journalist who has landed in the headlines after other high-profile incidents in the past…
Krayeske also was the campaign manager for Connecticut Green Party candidate Cliff Thornton’s 2006 gubernatorial run.
Calhoun, who has two national titles, is set to make $1.6 million in 2009-10, the final year of his contract. Women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma, who has brought five national championships to Storrs, recently signed a five-year, $8 million deal that begins July 1.
Connecticut football coach Randy Edsall signed a five-year deal a year ago that pays him an average of $1.5 million annually.
The three coaches are among the state’s highest paid employees.
Filed under: News Tagged: | basketball, University of Connecticut
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