Jim Calhoun is a Douche.

It's the end of February and college basketball mania is beginning the rise to it's yearly frenzy. Some of you may have heard of the recent incident involving Jim Calhoun, basketball couch for the University of Connecticut, and Ken Krayeske, a freelance reporter. During a press conference after UConn beat South Florida, Krayeske had the audacity to ask Calhoun if his $1.6 million per year salary was appropriate in the face of the large budget deficit in Connecticut. Here's a video of the exchange:



Here's my thoughts on the matter:

Our country is facing an economic crisis. In light of that, the extravagant salaries paid to actors, musicians, atheltes, coaches, etc. should be called into question. These are entertainment industry jobs and we have the right to question how essential they are to the welfare of our country.

But more to the point, Calhoun is a state employee-- the highest paid state employee in Connecticut. That means he makes not only more than the law makers (including the governor herself), but also the educators who work in public schools, the doctors and nurses who care for the sick and injured, the construction workers who build roads, schools and hospitals, and all the other state employees who perform functions vital to the benefit of the state and its citizens.

Even more relevant is the fact that Calhoun is an employee of the University of Conneticut. UConn, like so many other public universities and collages throughoutt America, including my own, is facing budget cuts which directly effect the quality of the education provided to its students. If Calhoun even remotely cares about his school, he should voluntarily take a paycut, and let some of that money go towards research, sponsorships, scholarships, student housing, student media, or maybe even the salaries of the rest of the faculty and staff. It's a bit sad that UConn seems to value the ability to coach basketball over the possession of a master's degree or doctorate.

Calhoun's supporters (and perhaps supporters of inflated athletic budgets everywhere) would argue that successful sports programs bring in money for schools and are often subsidized by private grants and sponsorships. Fair enough, but Calhoun himself stated that the UConn basketball brings in $12 million a year to the school (which is actually a very inflated number) , but, by his own admission, at least $1.6 million of that goes directly to Calhoun. That's a ridiculous percentage, even by his own numbers. Not only is Calhoun's salary hurting his state and his university, he's draining his own basketball program.

Krayeske has been receiving a lot of criticism from sports reporters and anchors, particularly on ESPN and programs such as Mike and Mike In the Morning (which my boyfriend must watch every damn day) . Some have said it was inappropriate to ask such a question to such a prominent and respected coach, while others (such as one of the aforementioned Mikes) have said the question was valid but the timing was wrong, and that the question had no place at a press conference to discuss UConn's victory.

Here's my two cents: Krayeske is a freelance journalist, and also a law student at UConn. That brings up two points in his defense: freedom of the press, and the fact that his tuition is a part of Calhoun's salary. As far as I'm concerned, Krayeske had the right to ask any question he damn well pleased. The question itself was extremely valid, extremely timely, and extremely relevant. Also, Krayeske asked his question politely, and only made one sarcastic remark after Krayeske asked him "You're not really that stupid, are you?" Some reporters have badgered Krayeske for not asking the question, as Calhoun requested, after the press conference, but for God's sake, it's a press conference-- the time when you answer questions from the press.

The person who deserves reprimand is Calhoun, not only for his inflated salary, but for his childish behavior. Mr. Calhoun, as a state employee your salary is paid, at least in part, by the public and is open to public scrutiny. If you don't like it, go to a private university and see if they are willing to pay you as much. Also, your sarcastic defense of your refusal to take a paycut because you would "like to be able to retire someday," did nothing to endear you to anyone. Are you trying to tell us you can't retire comfortably on a $1.6 million salary? Try explaining that to the millions of US citizens who just lost all their retirement investments and savings. Also your playground-esque quip of "my advice to you is shut up," didn't help you out either. And "not a dime back?" Way to show support for your school.

By the way, to the sports "journalists" who can be heard laughing and scoffing at Krayeske's questions, you should also be reprimanded. Krayeske was right when he said you should be covering stories like this. You job is to be an impartial source of information, not to see how far your head will fit up the asses of athletes and coaches. Grow up. Shame on all of you for rushing to Calhoun's defense, for failing to cover this story, and for not having the balls to have asked this question in the first place.

Here's a link to Krayeske's blog. Show him some love for this; he deserves it.