Hall of Fame
Jim Boone coached the Vulcan men's basketball team to unprecedented success for 10 seasons from 1986-87 through 1995-96.
He compiled a 228-71 career record at Cal and 94-24 cumulative record against PSAC West competition. Boone coached the Vulcans to seven PSAC championship game appearances, six NCAA tournament appearances, six PSAC-West championships, five East Regional Finals, four PSAC championships, and two NCAA National Final Fours.
Despite coaching at several other schools since leaving Cal in the spring of 1996, Boone feels as if his induction into the University's Hall of Fame is a Homecoming of sorts.
"I've always considered California University home so to be honored in this manner probably means more to me than it could at any other institution I've ever coached at," said Boone.
While induction into an athletic Hall of Fame is an individual honor, Boone looks at his induction as a collective-effort, a trademark of the team-oriented style all his squads displayed.
"This may be a standard cliché answer but I think anytime a coach receives this kind of honor it is truly a reflection upon the players and coaching staff that he's been blessed to have," Boone said. "So this recognition is not just honoring me and I certainly would not accept or want it to be on my behalf. It really is an honor that is being bestowed upon 10 years of tradition and excellence that we accomplished while we were at California and the many great players that played for us while we were there."
Success was immediate as Boone's initial squad won the school's first PSAC-West regular season basketball title in 16 years and a year later the Vulcans compiled a then-school-best 25-6 overall record while winning the conference title and advancing to the NCAA Round of the "Sweet 16."
Boone became the Vulcans' head coach less than three weeks before the 1986-87 opening game and expectations were low after a 7-19 season. However, former head coach, Tim Loomis, who coached Cal to the 1985 PSAC crown, had recruited well.
"We were extremely fortunate to have inherited a team that was coming off a bad year and not many people knew that Darryl Norfleet and Dana Zajicek were recruited to be a part of that team," Boone said. "Joe Miller (Cal's career-leading scorer) was also there and those were great players that had a lot to do with our immediate success."
Over Boone's last five years, the Vulcans compiled a 129-26 cumulative record and 54-6 mark against PSAC West opponents. Seven of the 10 Cal teams he coached won 21 or more games.
Cal's 1991-92 team achieved a school-record 29-game win streak that still stands and advanced to the NCAA Division II national semifinals. That team was ranked first nationally in NCAA Division II from early February through the final top 25 poll. The 1991-92 Vulcans (31-2) are still just one of two men's basketball teams to ever compile a perfect 12-0 PSAC-West season.
Boone's final Cal U squad overcame a 6-4 start and went 27-6 overall with another national Final Four appearance.
Though he coached the Vulcans to countless memorable victories and many thrilling championships, it is the relationships with his players, coaching staff, and the administration that Boone recalls.
"Not any particular game stick out because there were a lot of great games," Boone said. "But I think more so than anything like that are the relationships that develop over those years. You could go down the line with the players and what they've accomplished. The relationships are the things that stand out far more than any game or accomplishment."
Phil Stewart and Glenn Gutierrez served as assistant coaches under Boone at Cal for 10 and nine years respectively. Gutierrez and three-year Vulcan assistant Dave Pilipovich continued coaching with Boone after he left Cal.
"Phil Stewart was a member of my staff all 10 years but became much more than that," Boone said. "He and his wife Emmilou are a part of our family and my kids look upon her as a second mom."
Boone also praised Cal U's administration as a key reason behind the program's rich history.
"I was really fortunate to be associated with some great people," said Boone. "To be hired by Dr. Watkins and mentored by Mr. (Elmo) Natali and Dr. (Paul) Burd. Then Dr. Armenti came in and was obviously a very strong supporter of our program and a great friend to myself personally. Without having good administrators like that I don't know if the athletic program would have near the success or recognition that it has accomplished over the last 20 years."
Originally from Winfield, West Virginia, Boone received his bachelor's degree in accounting in 1981 from West Virginia State College. One year later Boone earned an MBA from the University of Kentucky with a concentration in marketing.
He began his coaching career at his collegiate alma mater and served as the Yellow Jackets' head assistant coach from 1982-85. Boone also served as an instructor in WVSC's business department.
Before coming to Cal he was the top assistant coach at Division I Charleston Southern University for one season, helping the Buccaneers win the Big South Conference title.
Following his decade of coaching excellence at Cal, Boone coached at Robert Morris and Eastern Michigan Universities for the past nine years. This year he begins his first season as the head coach at Tusculum College.
It is conceivable that Cal U and his new school could someday meet for the NCAA II National Championship game.
"That would be a double-victory and a great story," Boone said. "I believe my passion to coach is greater now than it has been in the last 10 years or so. Sometimes as a head coach at the Division I level you do not have the opportunity to interact as much with the student-athletes as I was accustomed to. "
Boone and his wife, Stephanie, are the parents of two teen-aged sons, Jimmy Lee, and Joseph Morgan.
