Embattled Syracuse Coach Jim Boeheim: 'I'm Not Going Anywhere'
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Jim Boeheim spoke publicly on Sunday for the first time since the NCAA released its scathing report on Syracuse's athletic department on Friday.
The Hall of Fame basketball coach delivered a speech in front of roughly 700 SU basketball fans at the Hardwood Club dinner at the OnCenter in Syracuse.
"There's a lot of things to be said," Boeheim said. "It's difficult at this time, right now ... I think there's a hell of a battle ahead of us."
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The 70-year-old then got choked up, paused and said, "I came here in 1962. I'm not going anywhere."
That statement got a loud applause and a standing ovation from the crowd.
"I don't think these players could've done much more given the set of circumstances that they dealt with this year on the basketball court," Boeheim said earlier in his speech. "They showed an awful lot of heart and determination and grit, and I think they should be saluted."
Syracuse finished the season 18-13 overall and 9-9 in the ACC. It will not play in the conference tournament -- nor will it be eligible for the NCAA Tournament -- after the university self-imposed a postseason ban last month.
On Friday, Boeheim was stripped of 108 victories by the NCAA and was suspended for the first nine ACC games next season.
The program will also lose 12 scholarships over the next four years (three per season).