Huskies of Honor is a University of Connecticut-sponsored recognition program, similar in concept to a hall of fame, that is designed to honor the most significant figures in the history of the Connecticut Huskies men's and women's basketball programs. The inaugural honorees, inducted in two separate ceremonies during the 2006–07 season, included thirteen men's basketball players, ten women's basketball players, and four head coaches, two of whom are also enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (Jim Calhoun and Geno Auriemma). Since that time, an additional two women's basketball players and two undefeated national championship teams have been honored.
Men's basketball has been played at the University of Connecticut since 1901, then bearing the predecessor name, Connecticut Agricultural College.[1] The Huskies first achieved success under Coach Hugh Greer, who over a sixteen-year period led the team to twelve Yankee Conference championships, seven NCAA Tournament berths, and one National Invitation Tournament (NIT) appearance[2] before dying suddenly during the 1962–63 college basketball season. It was not until Jim Calhoun took over the university's basketball program in 1985, however, that UConn grew from a regional basketball power to a nationally prominent one.[3] Under Jim Calhoun, UConn has won two national championships (1999 and 2004), six Big East Tournaments, and ten Big East regular season titles, while placing 23 former UConn women's basketball players have gone on to play in the WNBA;[4] two (Sue Bird in 2002 and Diana Taurasi in 2004) were selected first overall in the WNBA Draft.
Women's basketball was not a major sport at UConn until the arrival of Geno Auriemma in 1986. Under her hand, UConn has enjoyed unprecedented success, winning six national titles, with three of them at the conclusion of an undefeated season. Connecticut's rivalry with women's basketball superpower Tennessee has become one of the most celebrated in the sport.[5] 23 former UConn women's basketball players have graduated to play in the WNBA,[4] two, Sue Bird in 2002 and Diana Taurasi in 2004 were selected first overall in the WNBA Draft.
Placards honoring the members of the Huskies of Honor are hung at the Harry A. Gampel Pavilion, the on-campus home court of UConn basketball. Additional information on each of the honorees is displayed on the concourse between the upper and lower stands.[6]
Key
Position
Abbreviation | Meaning |
G | Guard |
F | Forward |
C | Center |
Honorees
Men's basketball
![Older man with gray hair and red cheeks in dark sportscoat and black shirt](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fe/Jim_Calhoun.jpg/200px-Jim_Calhoun.jpg)
![Man in orange basketball uniforming bent slightly forward, looking expectantly,](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e9/Okafor.jpg/200px-Okafor.jpg)
# | Name | Pos. | Seasons[Note 1] | Born | Hometown | Inducted |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
34 | Ray Allen | G | 1993–96[8] | [9] (age 49) |
July 20, 1975Merced, CA[9] | [2] | February 5, 2007
44 | Wes Bialosuknia | G | 1963–67[8] | [10] (age 79) |
June 8, 1945Poughkeepsie, NY[10] | [2] | February 5, 2007
3 | Walt Dropo | C | 1942–47[8] | [11] (age 101) |
January 30, 1923Moosup, CT[11] | [2] | February 5, 2007
32 | Richard Hamilton | G/F | 1996–99[8] | [12] (age 46) |
February 14, 1978Coatesville, PA[12] | [2] | February 5, 2007
42 | Tony Hanson | G | 1973–77[8] | Waterbury, CT[13] | [2] | February 5, 2007|
42 | Toby Kimball | F/C | 1961–65[8] | [14] (age 80) |
September 7, 1942Framingham, MA[14] | [2] | February 5, 2007
42 | Donyell Marshall | F | 1991–94[8] | [15] (age 51) |
May 18, 1973Reading, PA[15] | [2] | February 5, 2007
50 | Emeka Okafor | C | 2001–04[8] | [7] (age 41) |
September 28, 1982Houston, TX[7] | [2] | February 5, 2007
25 | Art Quimby | C | 1951–55[8] | [2] | February 5, 2007||
00 | Clifford Robinson | F/C | 1985–89[8] | [16] (age 57) |
December 16, 1966Buffalo, NY[16] | [2] | February 5, 2007
13 | Chris Smith | G | 1988–92[8] | [17] (age 54) |
May 17, 1970Bridgeport, CT[17] | [2] | February 5, 2007
52 | Corny Thompson | F | 1978–82[8] | [18] (age 64) |
February 5, 1960Middletown, CT[18] | [2] | February 5, 2007
22 | Vin Yokabaskas | F | 1948–52[8] | [2] | February 5, 2007||
n/a | Jim Calhoun | Head Coach | 1986–present[19] | [19] (age 82) |
May 10, 1942Braintree, MA[19] | [2] | February 5, 2007
n/a | Dee Rowe | Head Coach | 1969–77[8] | Worcester, MA | [2] | February 5, 2007|
n/a | Hugh Greer | Head Coach | 1946–63[8] | Suffield, CT | [2] | February 5, 2007
Women's basketball
![Man with thick hair wearing a black sportscoat and white dress shirt with no tie and hand behind his back looking grim](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c4/Geno-Auriemma-UConn-vs-Texas-3-23-08.jpg/200px-Geno-Auriemma-UConn-vs-Texas-3-23-08.jpg)
![Woman in white see-through shirt and hoop earrings with large toothy smile](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/ff/Renee_Montgomery_UConn.jpg/200px-Renee_Montgomery_UConn.jpg)
# | Name | Pos. | Seasons[Note 1] | Born | Hometown | Inducted |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
25 | Svetlana Abrosimova | F | 1997–2001[20] | [22] (age 44) |
July 9, 1980St. Petersburg, Russia[22] | [23] | December 21, 2006
24 | Kerry Bascom | C/F | 1987–91[20] | Epping, NH[24] | [23] | December 21, 2006|
10 | Sue Bird | G | 1998–2002[20] | [25] (age 43) |
October 16, 1980Syosset, NY[26] | [23] | December 21, 2006
32 | Swin Cash | F | 1998–2002[20] | [27] (age 44) |
September 22, 1979McKeesport, PA[27] | [23] | December 21, 2006
31 | Tina Charles | C | 2006–10[28] | [29] (age 35) |
December 5, 1988Jamaica, NY[29] | [30] | February 13, 2010
50 | Rebecca Lobo | C/F | 1991–95[20] | [31] (age 50) |
October 6, 1973Southwick, MA[31] | [23] | December 21, 2006
20 | Renee Montgomery | G | 2005–09[32] | [33] (age 37) |
December 2, 1986St. Albans, WV[33] | [21] | February 15, 2009
33 | Shea Ralph | G | 1996–2001[20] | [34] (age 46) |
March 12, 1978Fayetteville, NC[34] | [23] | December 21, 2006
21 | Jennifer Rizzotti | G | 1992–96[20] | [35] (age 50) |
May 15, 1974New Fairfield, CT[36] | [23] | December 21, 2006
42 | Nykesha Sales | G | 1994–98[20] | [37] (age 48) |
May 10, 1976Bloomfield, CT[37] | [23] | December 21, 2006
3 | Diana Taurasi | G | 2000–04[20] | [38] (age 42) |
June 11, 1982Chino, CA[38] | [23] | December 21, 2006
52 | Kara Wolters | C | 1993–97[20] | [39] (age 48) |
August 15, 1975Holliston, MA[40] | [23] | December 21, 2006
n/a | Geno Auriemma | Head Coach | 1986–present[41] | [41] (age 70) |
March 25, 1954Montella, Italy[41] | [23] | December 21, 2006
n/a | 1994–95 team | Team | 1994–95 | n/a | n/a | [6] | November 16, 2008
n/a | 1999–00 team | Team | 1999–2000 | n/a | n/a | [42] | December 23, 2009
Administrators
Name | Pos. | Seasons[Note 1] | Born | Hometown | Inducted |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
John Toner | Athletic Director | 1969–87[43] | [43] | February 28, 2009
Notes
References
- ^ "Yesteryear archive: 100 years of women's basketball". uconn.edu. University of Connecticut. Archived from the original on February 10, 2010. Retrieved February 10, 2010.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r "Men's Basketball Huskies of Honor Announced". www.uconnhuskies.com. University of Connecticut. December 26, 2006. Archived from the original on February 3, 2010. Retrieved February 3, 2010.
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(help) - ^ Miller, Mike. "The greatest programs: No. 10, Connecticut - Beyond the Arc". NBCSports.com. msnbc.com. Archived from the original on February 10, 2010. Retrieved February 10, 2010.
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(help) - ^ a b "Connecticut basketball: A pipeline to the WBNA". UConnHuskies.com. University of Connecticut. Archived from the original on February 10, 2010. Retrieved February 10, 2010.
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(help) - ^ "Inside the rivalry: Book details history of UConn-Tennessee clash". Sports Illustrated. Time, Inc. April 8, 2008. Archived from the original on February 10, 2010. Retrieved February 10, 2010.
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(help) - ^ a b "Women's Basketball 1995 National Championship Team to be Recognized as "Huskies of Honor"". www.uconnhuskies.com. University of Connecticut. October 30, 2008. Archived from the original on February 7, 2010. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
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(help) - ^ a b c "Emeka Okafor NBA & ABA Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on February 4, 2010. Retrieved February 4, 2010.
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(help) - ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Anthony, Mike (December 27, 2006). "Huskies Roll Out Honors Again: Inaugural Class Spans From Dropo To Okafor". The Hartford Courant. Tribune Corporation. Archived from the original on February 10, 2010. Retrieved February 10, 2010.
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(help) - ^ a b "Ray Allen NBA & ABA Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on February 3, 2010. Retrieved February 3, 2010.
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(help) - ^ a b "Wesley Bialosuknia NBA & ABA Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on February 3, 2010. Retrieved February 3, 2010.
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(help) - ^ a b "Walt Dropo - Stats, Bio - MLB Baseball". SI.com. Time Inc. May 26, 2009. Archived from the original on February 3, 2010. Retrieved February 3, 2010.
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(help) - ^ a b "Richard Hamilton Bio Page". NBA.com. NBA Media Ventures, LLC. Archived from the original on February 3, 2010. Retrieved February 3, 2010.
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(help) - ^ "Tony Hanson to receive Red O'Neill Award". www.uconnhuskies.com. University of Connecticut. April 20, 2009. Archived from the original on February 3, 2010. Retrieved February 3, 2010.
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(help) - ^ a b "Tony Kimball NBA & ABA Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on February 4, 2010. Retrieved February 4, 2010.
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(help) - ^ a b "Donyell Marshall NBA & ABA Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on February 4, 2010. Retrieved February 4, 2010.
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(help) - ^ a b "Clifford Robinson NBA & ABA Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on February 4, 2010. Retrieved February 4, 2010.
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(help) - ^ a b "Chris Smith NBA & ABA Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on February 7, 2010. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
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(help) - ^ a b "Corny Thompson NBA & ABA Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on February 7, 2010. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
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(help) - ^ a b c "Bio: Hall Of Fame Coach Jim Calhoun". The Hartford Courant. Tribune Corporation. Archived from the original on February 7, 2010. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
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(help) - ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Heuschkel, David (December 21, 2006). "`Huskies Of Honor' Ceremony Tonight". The Hartford Courant. Tribune Corporation. Archived from the original on February 10, 2010. Retrieved February 10, 2010.
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(help) - ^ a b "Montgomery helps UConn dismantle Pittsburgh after being honored". espn.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. Associated Press. February 15, 2009. Archived from the original on February 7, 2010. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
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(help) - ^ a b "Svetlana Abrosimova Playerfile". WNBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive. Archived from the original on February 7, 2010. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
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(help) - ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Press, Randy (2009). 2009–10 University of Connecticut Women's Basketball Media Guide (PDF). p. 35. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
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(help) - ^ Wolff, Alexander (April 16, 2009). "The Start of Something Big - UConn's First Final Four Berth Signaled the Program's Arrival on the National Stage". Sports Illustrated. Time, Inc. Archived from the original on February 7, 2010. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
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(help) - ^ "Sue Bird Playerfile". WNBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive. Archived from the original on February 7, 2010. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
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(help) - ^ "College Basketball - Women - Player Spotlight: Connecticut's Sue Bird". si.com. AOL Time Warner. December 24, 2000. Archived from the original on February 7, 2010. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
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(help) - ^ a b "Swin Cash Playerfile". WNBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive. Archived from the original on February 7, 2010. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
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(help) - ^ Press, Randy (2009). 2009–10 University of Connecticut Women's Basketball Media Guide (PDF). p. 142. Retrieved February 10, 2010.
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(help) - ^ a b "31 Tina Charles". UConnHuskies.com. University of Connecticut. Archived from the original on February 7, 2010. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
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(help) - ^ Altavilla, John (February 13, 2010). "Tina Charles Joining Huskies of Honor". The Hartford Courant. Tribune Corporation. Archived from the original on February 13, 2010. Retrieved February 13, 2010.
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(help) - ^ a b "Rebecca Lobo Bio". WNBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive. Archived from the original on February 7, 2010. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
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(help) - ^ Press, Randy (2009). 2009–10 University of Connecticut Women's Basketball Media Guide (PDF). p. 145. Retrieved February 10, 2010.
{{cite book}}
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(help) - ^ a b "Prospect: Renee Montgomery". WNBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive. Archived from the original on February 7, 2010. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
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(help) - ^ a b "Shea Ralph". www.pittsburghpanthers.com. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on February 7, 2010. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
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(help) - ^ "Jennifer Rizzotti Bio". WNBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive. Archived from the original on February 7, 2010. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
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(help) - ^ "Husky Bits". The Hartford Courant. Tribune Corporation. April 4, 1995. Archived from the original on February 7, 2010. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
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(help) - ^ a b "Nykesha Sales WNBA at CBSSports.com". CBSSports.com. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on February 7, 2010. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
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(help) - ^ a b "Diana Taurasi Playerfile". WNBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive. Archived from the original on February 7, 2010. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
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(help) - ^ "Kara Wolters Bio". WNBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive. Archived from the original on February 7, 2010. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
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(help) - ^ Kinkhabwala, Aditi (March 7, 2006). "Tall tale: Ex-UConn star Kara Wolters found love down below". Sports Illustrated. Time, Inc. Archived from the original on February 7, 2010. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
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(help) - ^ a b c Altavilla, John. "Bio: Hall Of Fame Coach Geno Auriemma". The Hartford Courant. Tribune Corporation. Archived from the original on February 7, 2010. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
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(help) - ^ Fuller, Jim (December 23, 2009). "Huskies of Honor to induct 1999-2000 team". New Haven Register. Journal Register Company. Archived from the original on February 7, 2010. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
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(help) - ^ a b "John Toner To Be Inducted Into "Huskies Of Honor"". www.uconnhuskies.com. University of Connecticut. February 23, 2000. Archived from the original on February 7, 2010. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
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