Interview With Jim Baron

Jim Baron

Interview Conducted 11/5/2008

AP Photo/Kevin Rivoli

University of Rhode Island head coach Jim Baron has spent his entire career developing his players both on the basketball court and in the classroom.

His attention to athletic and academic success dates back to his four years as a student-athlete at St. Bonaventure University in Olean, N.Y.

Baron, who was named co-captain his senior year, helped lead the Bonnies to the 1976-77 NIT title. His 3.9 assists per game were a team high that season.

Before commencement, Baron was selected by the University Committee as the Ideal Bonaventure Student. The school gives this award yearly to a student or students who exemplify the spirit of St. Bonaventure and the ideals of St. Francis through community service and academic excellence.

He later earned his master’s degree at St. Bonaventure in 1988.

Baron served as an assistant coach at Notre Dame from 1981-87. He learned from Head Coach Richard “Digger” Phelps how to create an infrastructure which allows basketball players to maximize their potential as both athletes and students.

BARON: “We graduated every one of our players. We had Academic All-Americans. We had tremendous student athletes. I’ve taken that equation every place I’ve been.”