Statement from Jim Boeheim on why he didn’t attend postgame press conference
Syracuse University men’s basketball head coach Jim Boeheim chose not to answer questions from the media following Saturday’s 71-57 loss against North Carolina State.
Boeheim instead had assistant coach Mike Hopkins answer questions and Boeheim released the following statement to media members in the press room:
“Yesterday I issued a full statement with my thoughts on and reaction to the NCAA Committee on Infractions report. In that statement I said I would have no further comment on this matter as I consider my options moving forward. That remains the case today.
“Win or lose, today should be about this terrific team and how they have made me, our coaches, the University and the community proud during a challenging season on and off the court. I’m as proud of this team as any I have ever coached. I think these players have done everything any and all of us could have asked them to do.
“I want to make sure today, as we play our last game and are together for last time as team, that the focus is on our players, and all they have done to make our University proud. This should be the focus this afternoon and nothing else.
“That is why I have asked Coach Mike Hopkins to lead today’s post-game media availability. There will be time in the future for me to more fully comment on NCAA issues and of course I will take the opportunity to do that at the right time.”
Boeheim released a statement Friday night calling the penalties handed down by the NCAA “unprecedented” and said they’re simply based on the “rogue” actions of a local YMCA employee and SU’s former director of basketball operations.
Published on March 7, 2015 at 3:14 pm
Contact Justin: jmatting@syr.edu | @jmattingly306