Jim Boeheim from Syracuse talks about emotions after a fatal accident

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – In this very united community, where winters are long and hours of clarity, basketball games are also used to define events. These are gatherings, celebrations and indelible markers of the region's identity. Great games are on the calendar with the same anticipation as birthdays, meetings for friends and family and commemorated with a series of commemorative t-shirts. In many ways, a large-scale game such as Duke Duke No.1 in Syracuse allows the city and the university to celebrate.

<p class = "canvas-atom web-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "By tipoff Saturday, the game itself was secondary, wrapped in emotion, clumsiness and some discomfort.Wednesday night, Jim Boeheim, Syracuse coach was returning home after the Syracuse match against Louisville and hit and killed a pedestrian on a local highway. Law enforcement officials pointed out that Boeheim had done nothing wrong, calling the collision a tragic accident and praising Boeheim's stock – call 911 and use its mobile phone flashlight to signal to the car – as a result. "Data-reactid =" 17 "> Saturday, the match was secondary, surrounded by emotion, embarrassment and discomfort.On Wednesday evening, the coach of Syracuse, Jim Boeheim, returned home after his match against Louisville and had hit and killed a pedestrian on a local highway, that Boeheim did nothing wrong, calling the collision a tragic accident and praising Boeheim's stock – call 911 and use his mobile phone flashlight to signal to the cars – as a result.

<p class = "web-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "The University decided Friday to allow Boeheim to coachand what happened was an emotional day where the drama and tragedy of the week eclipsed the ground game. ESPN has wisely canceled its "College GameDay" program. Before the match, the university had paid tribute to the victim of the accident, Jorge Jimenez, aged 51, who had been reading in English and Spanish. This was followed by a moment of silence. "Data-reactid =" 18 "> The university decided Friday to allow Boeheim to become a coach, which was a moving day in which the drama and tragedy of the week eclipsed the ground game. He canceled his "College GameDay" program and, before the match, the university paid tribute to the accident victim, Jorge Jimenez, aged 51, who was read in English and Spanish.

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "This sets the tone for a dark day amidst the celebrations external signs that started with a favorable ovation for Boeheim when he walked the field and finished with a pair of emotional press conferences from Boeheim and his close friend, Duke's coach, Mike Krzyzewski. No. 1 Duke won, 75-65but the game has proved secondary to the emotions of the tragedy that surrounds it. "data-reactid =" 19 "> He set the tone for a gloomy day in the middle of the ceremony, which started with a favorable ovation for Boeheim when he walked on the field, Boeheim and his friend Mike Krzyzewski. Duke's coach, held a press conference rich in emotions.The No. 1, Duke, won the 75-65 win, but the match was revealed secondary to the emotion of the tragedy that invaded it.

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At his press conference, Mr. Boeheim began by reading a statement that emphasized his family's sympathy for the Jiménez family: "The grief and pain his family is currently feeling is unimaginable."

He then left the screenplay and hinted at the emotion of his last 72 hours, his voice being heard repeatedly as he tried to convey his feelings.

"I do not think I can convey to anyone who has not been there," Boeheim said. "It's something that's there forever. I have always felt in life, you have many things to overcome. I started here with nothing and I have been here for a long time, and there are many things to overcome. There is no such thing when a human life is lost and you are there. I can not describe it to you

Boeheim tried to balance his sympathy for the Jimenez family by giving a glimpse of the pain that accompanied his role in the accident.

"It never goes, as I said," he said. "Tuesday, it's not going to be better. It's not going to be better next week. It will not be better next month. It will not be better next year. We have reached out to the family and I intend to try to do as much as possible in the future. It's not about me, no matter how I feel. That's what they feel and what happened to them. I can not say anything about it.

A debate then arose as to whether Boeheim should coach in the match. He declared doing so because of his "responsibility and obligation" towards his players and the university officially announced that he would coach Friday afternoon. (Boeheim missed the practice on Thursday.)

For those around Boeheim, there was really no chance he decided to skip the match. For 43 years, he has guided everything from cancer to scandal. It's as much his job as his job. This idea was summed up concisely but precisely by Krzyzewski, who said: "I am glad he trained. What on earth is he supposed to do again? That's what he does. "

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This meant that the most anticipated moment of Saturday would be the Boeheim drive on the ground. At 17:58 ET, Boeheim entered the Carrier Dome with his head down. The largest crowd on campus to attend a college basketball game (35,642) was up and gave an enthusiastic ovation, which Boeheim recognized by quickly raising the right hand.

Boeheim crossed the courtyard that bears his name at the opposite end, where Krzyzewski was clapping with the orange-clad masses. The two men hugged each other in a long hug – "It's not a big hug," Coach K then observed – and exchanged a few words.

"It was a sincere demonstration of emotion," said Krzyzewski. "It was really beautiful. I congratulate the community of Syracuse and its fans. "

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With that, Boehiem returned to the Syracuse bench, glanced towards the far corners of the dome of the quarry and found himself in his usual position.

"I've been here all my life," Boeheim said. "[The fans have] always been favorable. I think that they know how bad I feel, how I feel. I just thought that they were there to support our team and me. It's an unimaginable situation. I can not, I just can not describe the feeling that I have and that I have since Wednesday night. "

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "The game was unrolled without much drama. Duke has found a way to win without Zion WilliamsonRJ Barrett scored 30 points and Alex O'Connell added a career high of 20. Rob Gronkowski cheered behind the Syracuse bench, but the Orange has little chance. Star goalie Tyus Battle only managed a 4-on-17 hit. "Data-reactid =" 76 "> The game went off without a dramatic incident Duke found a way to win without Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett scored 30 points and Alex O'Connell added a career record to 20. Rob Gronkowski's Orange had little luck with star guard Tyus Battle shooting just 4-to-17.

After the end of the match, Boeheim finished his remarks and returned to his new normal.

"I fully felt the weight of the tragic accident and its impact on the Jimenez family," said Boeheim. "This is something that will be with me for the rest of my life."

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