;)
9. Athletics
The Calhoun Effect
This story is part of a larger feature on President Rhona Free’s 10 years at USJ. To read more, click here.
When Hall of Fame Coach Jim Calhoun arrived at the University of Saint Joseph in 2017, it was clear the Athletics Program would never be the same. His presence alone captured national attention, bringing media outlets like The New York Times, The Washington Post, and CBS to West Hartford. Suddenly, USJ was on the map in a whole new way.
“From the first day we started working with Coach, it was momentous for all of us, especially our student-athletes,” said President Rhona Free. “In terms of recruiting all students — not just student-athletes — he had what we call, the ‘Calhoun Effect.’”
The numbers backed it up. In 2018, the University gained 98 undergraduate male students, followed by 78 more the following year — many of them athletes. USJ launched new men’s teams in baseball, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, swimming & diving, and cross-country. A new field hockey team joined the eight women’s sports already on the roster, expanding opportunities for athletes across campus.
President Free has been a driving force behind the growth of our athletic programs. Her unwavering support for students — both in their sport and in the classroom — has elevated our entire campus. She is always there to cheer them on and is our #1 fan.
Amanda Devitt, Associate Vice President for Athletics and Recreation
To complement the growth, the University invested $16 million in a major renovation of the O’Connell Athletic Center. The centerpiece: the NCAA-regulation James A. Calhoun Gymnasium, affectionately known as “The Jim.” Alongside it came new and upgraded turf fields, all of which benefiting a student-athlete population that has grown by a remarkable 350% since 2017. None of this would have happened without the foresight and commitment of University leadership.
