Connecticut (CT) Poll * March 11, 2009 * Calhoun Should Keep Salary, Co - Quinnipiac University

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March 11, 2009 - Calhoun Should Keep Salary, Connecticut Fans Say 2-1, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Uconn Women No. 1 Among Nutmeg Fans

Word format University of Connecticut men's basketball coach Jim Calhoun scores a slam dunk as Connecticut residents say 61 - 30 percent that he should keep all of his $1.6 million salary, rather than donate a portion to help with the state's economic problems, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.
By a 68 - 12 percent margin, Connecticut residents have a favorable opinion of Calhoun, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds.
His salary is "about right," 48 percent say, while 43 percent say it is "too much."
A total of 69 percent of Connecticut residents heard or read "a lot" or "some" about Calhoun's response to a question about his salary asked at a recent press conference. Of that group, 51 percent approve of the way the coach answered the question, while 43 percent disapprove.
Those who know about the press conference say 80 - 16 percent that Calhoun should not be disciplined for the way he answered the question.
"Despite the negative headlines about Jim Calhoun's response to a political activist/blogger's question about his salary, Calhoun remains very popular," said Quinnipiac University Poll Director Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D. "He has a 68 percent favorability rating overall, and an 86 percent favorability rating among UCONN men's basketball fans. These are numbers many politicians would love to have."
"On the specific issue of how Calhoun handled the question, those aware of the controversy side with Calhoun, but not in overwhelming numbers. Do Connecticut residents think Calhoun is overpaid? Many do, but slightly more think he is paid about right."
"And by a strong 2-1 majority, Connecticut residents think that Calhoun shouldn't give back a portion of his salary," Dr. Schwartz added. "Although two state lawmakers thought Calhoun should be disciplined, residents aware of the controversy say no by an overwhelming 5-1 margin."
When asked if they are fans of UCONN's men's basketball team, 54 percent of Connecticut residents say yes.
But in an open-ended question, where respondents can give any answer, Connecticut residents were asked: What is your favorite Connecticut-based sports team. Results are:
29 percent for UCONN's women's basketball team; 22 percent for UCONN's men's basketball team; 3 percent for UCONN football.
Men go with the men's team over the women's team 28 - 21 percent, while women back the women's team 36 - 16 percent.
"Connecticut is home to possibly the best men's and women's college basketball teams in the nation, but with a strong push from women residents, the UCONN women's team is number one in the hearts of Nutmeggers," Schwartz said.
From March 3 - 8, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,335 Connecticut adults with a margin of error of +/- 2.7 percentage points.
The Quinnipiac University Poll conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio and the nation as a public service and for research.
26. (All adults) What is your favorite Connecticut-based sports team?
ALL ADULTS................................... AGE IN YRS.............. Tot Men Wom 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Uconn Men's basketball 22% 28% 16% 26% 21% 24% 16% Uconn Women's basketball 29 21 36 17 25 31 46 Uconn Football 3 4 2 5 2 2 2 Any other team 22 25 20 27 25 25 11 DK/NA 25 22 27 25 26 18 24 MdlSex Toll,Wndm Farfld Hrtfrd Lchfld NewHvn NewLon Uconn Men's basketball 20% 24% 26% 19% 24% Uconn Women's basketball 17 34 36 33 30 Uconn Football 2 3 4 2 5 Any other team 30 22 15 20 18 DK/NA 32 18 19 27 23
27. How interested are you in following college basketball - very interested, somewhat interested or not interested at all?
ALL ADULTS................................... AGE IN YRS.............. Tot Men Wom 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Very interested 24% 29% 19% 18% 19% 26% 35% Smwht interested 43 44 42 44 45 44 38 Not at all 33 26 38 38 35 29 26 DK/NA - - - - - 1 -
28. Do you consider yourself a fan of the UCONN men's basketball team or not?
ALL ADULTS................................... AGE IN YRS.............. Tot Men Wom 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Yes 54% 62% 47% 55% 51% 56% 62% No 44 36 50 45 47 41 37 DK/NA 2 2 2 - 3 3 - MdlSex Toll,Wndm Farfld Hrtfrd Lchfld NewHvn NewLon Yes 43% 58% 57% 60% 54% No 55 40 40 37 45 DK/NA 2 2 2 3 1
29. Is your opinion of UCONN men's basketball coach Jim Calhoun favorable, unfavorable, or haven't you heard enough about him?
ALL ADULTS.............................................. AGE IN YRS.............. Men's Tot Men Wom 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Fan q28 Favorable 68% 72% 65% 68% 62% 72% 72% 86% Unfavorable 12 13 12 8 16 14 11 6 Hvn't hrd enough 17 12 21 24 20 10 14 7 REFUSED 2 2 2 - 3 4 2 1
30. How much have you heard or read about Coach Calhoun's response to a question about his salary asked at a recent post-game press conference? A lot, some, not much or not at all?
ALL ADULTS.............................................. AGE IN YRS.............. Men's Tot Men Wom 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Fan q28 A lot 47% 52% 43% 31% 45% 55% 57% 56% Some 22 20 23 22 22 23 18 19 Not much 10 9 11 16 8 9 11 10 Not at all 20 18 21 31 24 12 12 14 DK/NA 1 1 1 - - - 2 1
31. (If heard a lot or some q30) Do you approve or disapprove of the way Coach Calhoun responded to this question about his salary?
ALL ADULTS.............................................. HEARD OR READ "A LOT" OR "SOME" Q30..................... AGE IN YRS.............. Men's Tot Men Wom 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Fan q28 Approve 51% 53% 48% 62% 49% 45% 49% 56% Disapprove 43 42 44 35 42 47 45 38 DK/NA 7 5 8 3 9 8 6 6
32. (If heard a lot or Some q30) Do you think Coach Calhoun should be disciplined for the way he responded or not?
ALL ADULTS.............................................. HEARD OR READ "A LOT" OR "SOME" Q30..................... AGE IN YRS.............. Men's Tot Men Wom 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Fan q28 Yes 16% 14% 18% 16% 16% 17% 12% 10% No 80 83 76 79 80 78 83 86 DK/NA 5 3 6 5 4 5 5 4
33. Coach Calhoun is paid 1.6 million dollars a year. Do you think Coach Calhoun is paid too much, too little or about right?
ALL ADULTS.............................................. AGE IN YRS.............. Men's Tot Men Wom 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Fan q28 Too much 43% 32% 52% 47% 45% 42% 38% 32% Too little 2 4 1 2 1 3 2 3 About right 48 58 40 46 46 51 51 60 DK/NA 7 7 7 5 7 5 8 5
34. Do you think Coach Calhoun should give back part of his 1.6 million dollar salary to help with the state's economic problems or not?
ALL ADULTS.............................................. AGE IN YRS.............. Men's Tot Men Wom 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Fan q28 Yes 30% 24% 36% 33% 29% 30% 32% 24% No 61 68 55 62 64 64 58 71 DK/NA 8 8 9 5 7 7 10 5