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Former JI writer Phil Chardis went out a winner at UConn

adam betz, journal inquirer, manchester, conn.
·5 min read
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Apr. 8—HOUSTON — Phil Chardis has been associated with the UConn men's basketball team on a full-time basis in some form or fashion for 44 years.

He's seen the program's rise to the upper echelon of college basketball, first as the beat writer for the Journal Inquirer and then as the team's primary media contact on UConn's Athletic Communications staff.

The final chapter of that association ended Monday when the Huskies topped San Diego State at NRG Stadium to claim the program's fifth national championship.

"Who could ask for a better end?" Chardis said. "It's great, the team was great. They've been great to me. It's been a great ride. I mean I'll never forget my 39 years at the JI, but the 12 years at UConn have been tremendous, and you couldn't end it in a better way."

A graduate of Ellington High and Ithaca College, and a longtime Vernon resident, the New York-born Chardis began his career at the Journal Inquirer in 1972 when he became the first reporter hired by the late Randy Smith, then the JI's sports editor.

Chardis was assigned to the UConn men's basketball beat during the 1979-80 season, succeeding Smith. Back then, Dom Perno coached the Huskies, who were still playing in Greer Field House, and the Big East was in its inaugural season.

"That was a different time," Chardis said. "It was when the program was just building. The climb to the top was fun, not just for me but for the whole state. Now everybody is kind of used to success."

The major turning point for the program came in 1986 when Jim Calhoun was hired as coach. Two years later, UConn won the NIT, starting the program's ascent. Calhoun went on to lead the Huskies to three national titles.

"Covering the team when Jim Calhoun was the coach was a trip," Chardis said with a laugh. "There was never a dull moment, that's for sure."

Chardis covered all three of those championship seasons — 1999, 2004 and 2011.

He fondly recalls the team's first national championship run.

"You knew for years before this was coming," Chardis said. "I mean UConn was building, building, building and sooner or later UConn was going to win this thing. So '99, I'm not going to say it was unexpected because one of those years it was going to be expected, but the first time is a celebration. I remember coming back to Gampel for the celebration and people were on the road as the bus went by clapping and roaring. It was surreal."

National championship runs aside, Chardis' favorite memory covering the team was its reaching the regional finals of the 1990 NCAA Tournament.

In his JI farewell column in 2012, Chardis wrote:

"For me, there will never be another year like 1989-90, the Dream Season, when an entire state was galvanized by UConn's exploits. Chris Smith's talent, Nadav Henefeld's poise, Scott Burrell's athleticism, Rod Sellers' intensity, and, of course, Tate George and his shot, all coming together under Calhoun — who was more ready to break into the national picture than anyone else at UConn — are memories for a lifetime."

"1990 was a great year," he said last week. "They didn't win the national championship, but that year, winning the Big East, getting to the tournament, getting to the final eight and one dribble away from the Final Four, that just captivated the state. You couldn't write enough, everything was gobbled up. It was a great time to be a writer in the state of Connecticut."

Chardis stayed on the beat for 33 years, moving on to UConn in January 2012.

In September of that year, Calhoun resigned and assistant Kevin Ollie took over as head coach. Six years and one more national championship later, Ollie was out, Dan Hurley was in, and Chardis became witness to another building job that led to a national title.

He says his 12-year tenure in Storrs was just as enjoyable as his time at the JI.

"There's nothing like being on a college campus," Chardis said. "It's alive, there's always something happening. The players and the kids are great. They're always looking to the future with their eyes wide open. It's fun to be around those kind of people."

Chardis, 72, was originally set for retirement in December, but that was postponed until following the season. When asked what his thoughts were on his retirement finally arriving, Chardis chuckled.

"I don't know, I've never gone through it before," he said. "Like I said to my wife (Beth), 'OK I retire, then the next day I sleep late. And then what do I do the day after that?' But I may keep my hand in here. I've been talking about doing some writing for UConn and the website. That'll be fun. So, I'll still be around."

He may still be around, but Chardis couldn't have asked for a better ending to his full-time association with the Huskies.

"It's not unexpected, but you have to be awfully lucky to get here too," he said of the season. "But I knew we were good, and if you have to go out on something, this is the perfect way."

For coverage of UConn football and men's basketball as well as area high school and local youth sports, follow Adam Betz on Twitter: @AdBetz1, Facebook: Adam Betz — Sports Writer, and Instagram: @AdBetzJI.