Imagine the challenge facing friends of Jim Boeheim when they tried to hold a tribute dinner for the former Syracuse University basketball coach with 500 people in attendance.

Boeheim, a Lyons native, served as head coach at Syracuse, his alma mater, for 47 years. At the time of his retirement in 2023 , he ranked second among NCAA Division I coaches in victories.

Rochester, N.Y. — ... Former Syracuse University men's basketball coach Jim Boeheim speaks to patients and staff members at Rochester General Hospital, Wednesday, June 4, 2024.