September 26-29, 2004
Oncenter Complex - Syracuse, NY
Hosted by NYAPPA

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Keynote Speaker - James Arthur “Jim” Boeheim, Head Men’s Basketball Coach, Syracuse University
Monday, 8:30 a.m.–9:15 a.m.
Oncenter Ballroom

Jim Boeheim’s 2003-04 Syracuse team ended its season in a familiar place—the NCAA Tournament. His 28th campaign at the helm of his alma mater’s basketball program resulted in a 23–8 record and the 23d NCAA postseason appearance of his tenure. The Orange advanced to the “Sweet 16” before losing to eventual regional finalist Alabama. The successful season was especially remarkable considering that Boeheim built the team after the loss of two starters, one of whom— Carmelo Anthony—was an NBA lottery pick in the 2003 draft. Boeheim guided his club to a 20-win campaign for the 26th time in his career.

It was virtually impossible to exceed the achievements of Boeheim’s 2002-03 club. That team brought the ultimate crowning jewel to the university—the first NCAA men’s basketball championship in program history.

The title capped a remarkable climb for the native of Lyons, New York. Boeheim enrolled at Syracuse in 1962 and was a walk-on with the basketball team that year. By Boeheim’s senior season, he was a team captain along with the legendary Dave Bing. The Orangemen were 22– 6 overall that year and earned the team’s second-ever NCAA Tournament berth. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in social science, Boeheim played professional basketball with Scranton of the Eastern League. He was a member of two championship squads and earned second-team all-star honors.

In 1969 he turned to a career in coaching and was hired as a graduate assistant at SU by head coach Roy Danforth. He was soon promoted to a full-time assistant coaching post and was part of the staff that guided the Orangemen to the program’s first Final Four appearance in 1975. A year later he was appointed head coach.

In his 28 years at the helm, the Orangemen have produced only winning records. SU has earned postseason berths (NCAA or NIT) in all but one of Boeheim’s seasons. He has pushed the Orangemen to three NCAA championship game appearances (1987, 1996, and 2003) and 23 NCAA tournament invitations in all.

Boeheim finished his 28th season as head coach on the Hill with a 676–234 overall record. He ranks third among active Division I coaches in winning percentage and 8th in victories. His twenty-six 20-win campaigns place him in a third-place tie on the all-time Division I list. He is also seventh in Division I NCAA Tournament wins.

On February 24, 2002, the university named the Carrier Dome court “Jim Boeheim Court” in recognition of his many accomplishments. Boeheim joined a select group of coaches working the sidelines of a court named after them.

A three-time BIG EAST Coach of the Year, Boeheim has been honored as District II Coach of the Year nine times by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC). During the 2000 Final Four he was presented with the Claire Bee Award in recognition of his contributions to the sport. In the fall of 2000, he received Syracuse University’s Arents Award, the school’s highest alumni honor.

A champion of many charitable causes, Boeheim has been most active with “Coaches vs. Cancer,” a national fundraising organization. His local campaign has led all others in money raised for each of the past seven years. Jim and his wife, Juli, are parents of James Arthur Boeheim, III, and twins Jack and Jamie. Jim also has a daughter, Elizabeth.

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