“When my dad died at 15 [of a heart attack], ... one of the sacred places I could go was with a ball, a hoop and a dream - by myself. It's one of the few sports that allows you to do that. In those moments of solitude, I was able to work out some of my life issues. It was a very difficult time for me.”
“Only two of the six kids have college degrees - my brother, who is a cardiologist, and me, ... We were a large Irish family, and in those days, the boys went to college. My sisters gave me $50 here and there and came to my games. They all gave me something. When people love you and believe in you, it instills confidence. Confidence comes from the people around you.”
“He said something remarkable to me that I still remember to this day, ... He said, ?The people you?re hanging around now and go out with at night -- and I know you?re doing it out of frustration but nevertheless -- those people don?t want you to leave, because if you leave, you?re being successful and they are struggling with their own agenda and success.?”
“I've always thought he was unappreciated, ... It wasn't until he got to the Final Four in the Meadowlands in 1996 that I felt he was truly appreciated. I remember the first 10 years in the league I had to answer why Jim can't win this or that. We're the old guard of the Big East.”
“Say what you want, but people wanted to see Bobby Huggins there and losing Bobby will be difficult for the league, ... Jay [Wright at Villanova] is coming along, but as far as national reputations, you've got the three of us [Calhoun, Boeheim and Pitino].”
“I don't know what the final school results will be. That is still in the works, ... I think for another week, that's my estimate. I don't know that. But just given my schedule of suspensions, it will ensure that neither of them will be playing at least through Maui. That's minimal. And I looked at those games knowing the fact that either [freshmen] Rob Garrison or Craig Austrie will be the point guard over there and I took a gulp. It's a tough schedule.”
“Jimmy put it in perspective and told me exactly what had happened to him, ... He encouraged me to get the best medical advice I could get. He took me through the scenario of what would happen.”
