Town Officials Honor Jim Calhoun, Braintree Native and Champion UConn Coach

James Camble Calhoun, a native son of Braintree, went on to such accomplishment as a college basketball coach that in 2005 he was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame.

The University of Connecticut men's basketball coach was officially honored by the Braintree on May 31 "for his many years of success as a basketball head coach and his contributions in philanthropy," according to a document signed by the councilors and read aloud at their last meeting by Sean Powers.

"It's only fitting that we honor a son of Braintree that's done some great things," Powers said.

Calhoun was a star athlete at , playing football, basketball and baseball. After several years bouncing from college to worklife to help support his family, he went on successful coaching runs at Dedham High School and Northeastern University, where he improved the squad enough to bring them to the NCAA tournament multiple times.

In 1986, Calhoun took the head coaching post at UConn and went on to win his first NCAA championship in 1999 over Duke. It was the team's first ever Final Four appearance. The Huskies won the national title again in 2004, and then earlier this year Calhoun led them to victory over Butler. He became only the fifth coach in NCAA history to win three championships.

Calhoun and his wife Pat both lost parents to heart disease, the council's proclamation said, and are known for their philanthropy in the area, including the Pat and Jim Calhoun Cardiology Center at UConn and their annual Holiday Food Drive.