Sunday Afternoon Ramble On ... Bonus Coverage

This story is making headlines in today's NE Papers and is the lead on all talk radio. See this article from the Hartford Courant to tee-up the story:

By MIKE ANTHONY

The Hartford Courant

February 22, 2009

The first question of Jim Calhoun's postgame press conference Saturday had nothing to do with with UConn's 64-50 victory over South Florida, and led to a brief, heated exchange between Calhoun and Ken Krayeske, a freelance journalist and political activist.

"Coach, considering that you're the highest-paid state employee and there's a $2 billion budget deficit ... do you think ...?" Krayeske said.



"Not a dime back," Calhoun said. "I'd like to be able to retire someday. I'm getting tired."

Krayeske: "$1.6 million isn't enough?"

Calhoun: "I make a lot more than that. What was the take tonight?"

Krayeske: "I don't know. What's the deal with Comcast worth?"

Calhoun then asked Krayeske if he was "really that stupid" and said, "My best advice to you: shut up."

Calhoun continued, "If you want to talk to me outside, I'd be more than happy to talk to you. We're talking about basketball."

Krayeske then said of the rest of the media, "If these guys covered this stuff, I wouldn't have to do it."

Calhoun then got a little heated.

"Quite frankly, [the UConn men's basketball program] brings in $12 million to the university ... nothing to do with state funds. We make $12 million a year for this university. Get some facts and come back and see me. ... We turn over $12 million to the university, which is state-run. Next question."

According to a UConn spokeman, Krayeske had a photo credential. The spokesman said Krayeske had e-mailed during the week to say he was working on a UConn basketball story and needed photos to run with it.

Krayeske, 36, of Hartford, was arrested in 2007 and charged with breach of peace and interfering with an officer at Gov. M. Jodi Rell's inaugural parade. The charges were later dropped.

The press conference continued without further incident.

-TL-