Huskies of Honor

Huskies of Honor is a recognition program sponsored by the University of Connecticut (UConn). Similar to a hall of fame, it honors the most significant figures in the history of the Connecticut Huskies—the university's athletic teams—especially the men's and women's basketball teams. The inaugural honorees, inducted in two separate ceremonies during the 2006–07 season, included fourteen 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).[1][2] Since that time, an additional three women's basketball players, one men's basketball player, three national championship teams, and one athletic director have been honored.

Men's basketball has been played at the University of Connecticut since 1901, when the school was known as Connecticut Agricultural College.[3] The Huskies first achieved success under Coach Hugh Greer, who over a sixteen-year period led the team to twelve Yankee Conference championships, seven National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Tournament berths, and one National Invitation Tournament appearance before dying suddenly during the 1962–63 college basketball season.[2] It was not until Calhoun took over the university's basketball program in 1985, however, that UConn grew from a regional basketball power to a nationally prominent one.[4] Under Calhoun, UConn has won three national championships (1999, 2004, 2011), seven Big East Tournaments, and ten Big East regular season titles, while placing twenty-three former players into the National Basketball Association (NBA).[5][6][7]

Women's basketball was not a major sport at UConn until the arrival of Auriemma in 1986. Under his guidance UConn has enjoyed unprecedented success, winning seven national titles, including four at the end of undefeated seasons.[8] Connecticut's rivalry with women's basketball power Tennessee has become one of the most celebrated in the sport.[9] Twenty-three former UConn women's basketball players have gone on to play in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA),[10] and four, Sue Bird in 2002, Diana Taurasi in 2004, Tina Charles in 2010, and Maya Moore in 2011, have been selected first overall in the WNBA Draft.[11]

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 about each of the honorees is displayed on the concourse between the upper and lower stands.[12]

Contents

Honorees

Please note the column "Seasons" below lists only those years that the individual was with the Connecticut Huskies in the specific listed position.

Men's basketball

No. Name Position Seasons Hometown Inducted
34 AllenRay Allen Guard 1993–96[15] Merced, California[16] 20070205February 5, 2007[2]
44 BialosukniaWes Bialosuknia Guard 1963–67[15] Poughkeepsie, New York[17] 20070205February 5, 2007[2]
03 DropoWalt Dropo Center 1942–47[15] Moosup, Connecticut[18] 20070205February 5, 2007[2]
32 HamiltonRichard Hamilton Guard / forward 1996–99[15] Coatesville, Pennsylvania[19] 20070205February 5, 2007[2]
42 HansonTony Hanson Guard 1973–77[15] Waterbury, Connecticut[20] 20070205February 5, 2007[2]
42 KimballToby Kimball Forward / center 1961–65[15] Framingham, Massachusetts[21] 20070205February 5, 2007[2]
42 MarshallDonyell Marshall Forward 1991–94[15] Reading, Pennsylvania[22] 20070205February 5, 2007[2]
50 OkaforEmeka Okafor Center 2001–04[15] Houston, Texas[13] 20070205February 5, 2007[2]
25 QuimbyArt Quimby Center 1951–55[15] New London, Connecticut[23] 20070205February 5, 2007[2]
00 RobinsonClifford Robinson Forward / center 1985–89[15] Buffalo, New York[24] 20070205February 5, 2007[2]
13 SmithChris Smith Guard 1988–92[15] Bridgeport, Connecticut[25] 20070205February 5, 2007[2]
52 ThompsonCorny Thompson Forward 1978–82[15] Middletown, Connecticut[26] 20070205February 5, 2007[2]
15 WalkerKemba Walker Guard 2008–11[27] Bronx, New York[28] 20110405April 5, 2011[27]
22 YokabaskasVin Yokabaskas Forward 1948–52[15] Bloomfield, Connecticut[29] 20070205February 5, 2007[2]
999— CalhounJim Calhoun Head coach 1986–present[5] Braintree, Massachusetts[5] 20070205February 5, 2007[2]
999— RoweDee Rowe Head coach 1969–77[15] Worcester, Massachusetts[30] 20070205February 5, 2007[2]
999— GreerHugh Greer Head coach 1946–63[15] Suffield, Connecticut[31] 20070205February 5, 2007[2]

Women's basketball

No. Name Position Seasons Hometown Inducted
25 AbrosimovaSvetlana Abrosimova Forward 1997–2001[1] St. Petersburg, Russia[32] 20061221December 21, 2006[33]
24 BascomKerry Bascom Center / forward 1987–91[1] Epping, New Hampshire[34] 20061221December 21, 2006[33]
10 BirdSue Bird Guard 1998–2002[1] Syosset, New York[35] 20061221December 21, 2006[33]
32 CashSwin Cash Forward 1998–2002[1] McKeesport, Pennsylvania[36] 20061221December 21, 2006[33]
31 CharlesTina Charles Center 2006–10[37] Jamaica, New York[38] 20100212February 13, 2010[39]
50 LoboRebecca Lobo Center / forward 1991–95[1] Southwick, Massachusetts[40] 20061221December 21, 2006[33]
20 MontgomeryRenee Montgomery Guard 2005–09[41] St. Albans, West Virginia[42] 20090215February 15, 2009[14]
23 MooreMaya Moore Forward 2007–11[43] Lawrenceville, Georgia[44] 20110228February 28, 2011[43]
33 RalphShea Ralph Guard 1996–2001[1] Fayetteville, North Carolina[45] 20061221December 21, 2006[33]
21 RizzottiJennifer Rizzotti Guard 1992–96[1] New Fairfield, Connecticut[46] 20061221December 21, 2006[33]
42 SalesNykesha Sales Guard 1994–98[1] Bloomfield, Connecticut[47] 20061221December 21, 2006[33]
03 TaurasiDiana Taurasi Guard 2000–04[1] Chino, California[48] 20061221December 21, 2006[33]
52 WoltersKara Wolters Center 1993–97[1] Holliston, Massachusetts[49] 20061221December 21, 2006[33]
999— AuriemmaGeno Auriemma Head coach 1986–present[50] Montella, Italy[50] 20061221December 21, 2006[33]
999— 1994–95 Team Team 1994–95 — 20081116November 16, 2008[12]
999— 1999–2000 Team Team 1999–2000 — 20091223December 23, 2009[51]
999— 2001–02 Team Team 2001–02 — 20111229December 29, 2011[52]

Administrators

No. Name Position Seasons Hometown Inducted
999— TonerJohn Toner Athletic director 1969–87[53] Nantucket, Massachusetts[54] 20090228February 28, 2009[53]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Heuschkel, David (December 21, 2006). "`Huskies Of Honor' Ceremony Tonight". The Hartford Courant (Tribune Corporation). Archived from the original on February 10, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5nRrKoYhv. Retrieved February 10, 2010. 
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "Men's Basketball Huskies of Honor Announced". www.uconnhuskies.com. University of Connecticut. December 26, 2006. Archived from the original on February 3, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5nGs8cRon. Retrieved February 3, 2010. 
  3. ^ "Yesteryear archive: 100 years of women's basketball". uconn.edu. University of Connecticut. Archived from the original on February 10, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5nRzmGVMk. Retrieved February 10, 2010. 
  4. ^ Miller, Mike. "The greatest programs: No. 10, Connecticut – Beyond the Arc". NBCSports.com. msnbc.com. Archived from the original on February 10, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5nRzW0FI4. Retrieved February 10, 2010. 
  5. ^ a b c "Bio: Hall Of Fame Coach Jim Calhoun". The Hartford Courant. Tribune Corporation. Archived from the original on February 7, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5nMPGM91J. Retrieved February 7, 2010. 
  6. ^ "UConn wins fifth game in five days to earn Big East tournament title". espn.com. Associated Press (ESPN Internet Ventures). February 23, 2011. Archived from the original on March 31, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/5xPlpTpC3. Retrieved March 31, 2011. 
  7. ^ "Connecticut wins third national title thanks to Butler's woeful shooting". espn.com. Associated Press (ESPN Internet Ventures). April 4, 2011. Archived from the original on April 7, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/5xmINxO2u. Retrieved April 7, 2011. 
  8. ^ (PDF) 2010–11 University of Connecticut Women's Basketball Media Guide. 2010. p. 5. http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/conn/sports/w-baskbl/auto_pdf/1011-media-guide.pdf. Retrieved April 19, 2011. 
  9. ^ "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. http://www.webcitation.org/5nS0BPwYx. Retrieved February 10, 2010. 
  10. ^ "Connecticut basketball: A pipeline to the WBNA". UConnHuskies.com. University of Connecticut. Archived from the original on February 10, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5nS0Ovbof. Retrieved February 10, 2010. 
  11. ^ Altavilla, John (April 11, 2011). "UConn's Maya Moore Top Pick In WNBA Draft". Hartford Courant (Tribune Corporation). Archived from the original on April 19, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/5y3MNueEB. Retrieved April 19, 2011. 
  12. ^ 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. http://www.webcitation.org/5nN7qVwvi. Retrieved February 7, 2010. 
  13. ^ a b "Emeka Okafor NBA & ABA Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on February 4, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5nJ3bJbzN. Retrieved February 4, 2010. 
  14. ^ a b "Montgomery helps UConn dismantle Pittsburgh after being honored". espn.com. Associated Press (ESPN Internet Ventures). February 15, 2009. Archived from the original on February 7, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5nMzhOqCF. Retrieved February 7, 2010. 
  15. ^ 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. http://www.webcitation.org/5nRmRCeOX. Retrieved February 10, 2010. 
  16. ^ "Ray Allen NBA & ABA Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on February 3, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5nHXd3Dgt. Retrieved February 3, 2010. 
  17. ^ "Wesley Bialosuknia NBA & ABA Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on February 3, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5nHY9Ecjr. Retrieved February 3, 2010. 
  18. ^ "Walt Dropo – Stats, Bio – MLB Baseball". SI.com (Time Inc). May 26, 2009. Archived from the original on February 3, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5nHYWoF7g. Retrieved February 3, 2010. 
  19. ^ "Richard Hamilton Bio Page". NBA.com. NBA Media Ventures, LLC. Archived from the original on February 3, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5nHYkIzes. Retrieved February 3, 2010. 
  20. ^ "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. http://www.webcitation.org/5nHZBMmQ3. Retrieved February 3, 2010. 
  21. ^ "Tony Kimball NBA & ABA Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on February 4, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5nJ3IudFl. Retrieved February 4, 2010. 
  22. ^ "Donyell Marshall NBA & ABA Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on February 4, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5nJ3SElrK. Retrieved February 4, 2010. 
  23. ^ "Former UConn Basketball Standout Art Quimby Passes Away". UConnHuskies.com. University of Connecticut. December 7, 2010. Archived from the original on March 23, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/5xPggGbnq. Retrieved March 23, 2011. 
  24. ^ "Clifford Robinson NBA & ABA Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on February 4, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5nJ3uEjYr. Retrieved February 4, 2010. 
  25. ^ "Chris Smith NBA & ABA Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on February 7, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5nMOXWv2C. Retrieved February 7, 2010. 
  26. ^ "Corny Thompson NBA & ABA Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on February 7, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5nMOfHTBd. Retrieved February 7, 2010. 
  27. ^ a b Doyle, Paul (April 5, 2011). "Kemba Walker Added To UConn's Huskies Of Honor". Hartford Courant (Tribune Corporation). Archived from the original on April 7, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/5xmIuWqVH. Retrieved April 5, 2011. 
  28. ^ Rubin, Roger; Sandoval, Edgar; McShane, Larry (April 6, 2011). "Kemba Walker, UConn's Bronx-born Final Four MVP, gets congratulatory call from Mayor Bloomberg". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on April 7, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/5xmJUn1WV. Retrieved April 7, 2011. 
  29. ^ "Nine Forwards To Be Honored On UConn Men's Basketball All-Century Team". UConnHuskies.com. University of Connecticut. Archived from the original on March 23, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/5xPj9QEPv. Retrieved March 23, 2011. 
  30. ^ Ryan, Bob (March 25, 2009). "Center Rowe: In New England basketball, no mentor is more pivotal". Boston Globe (New York Times Co.). Archived from the original on March 23, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/5xPjejhBZ. Retrieved March 23, 2011. 
  31. ^ Jacobs, Jeff (January 23, 1999). "Greer's Presence Will Be Felt". The Hartford Courant (Tribune Corporation). Archived from the original on March 23, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/5xPkS2MBe. Retrieved March 23, 2011. 
  32. ^ "Svetlana Abrosimova Playerfile". WNBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive. Archived from the original on February 7, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5nN708Hdz. Retrieved February 7, 2010. 
  33. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Press, Randy (2009) (PDF). 2009–10 University of Connecticut Women's Basketball Media Guide. p. 35. http://www.uconnhuskies.com/photos/schools/conn/sports/w-baskbl/auto_pdf/0910-mg-pt1-thisis-uconn.pdf. Retrieved February 7, 2010. 
  34. ^ 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. http://www.webcitation.org/5nN7OQqxt. Retrieved February 7, 2010. 
  35. ^ "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. http://www.webcitation.org/5nN7xWRbu. Retrieved February 7, 2010. 
  36. ^ "Swin Cash Playerfile". WNBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive. Archived from the original on February 7, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5nN8Rf6ON. Retrieved February 7, 2010. 
  37. ^ Press, Randy (2009) (PDF). 2009–10 University of Connecticut Women's Basketball Media Guide. p. 142. http://www.uconnhuskies.com/photos/schools/conn/sports/w-baskbl/auto_pdf/0910-mg-pt8-history.pdf. Retrieved February 10, 2010. 
  38. ^ "31 Tina Charles". UConnHuskies.com. University of Connecticut. Archived from the original on February 7, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5nN8yrpeQ. Retrieved February 7, 2010. 
  39. ^ Altavilla, John (February 13, 2010). "Tina Charles Joining Huskies of Honor". The Hartford Courant (Tribune Corporation). Archived from the original on February 13, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5nWUHrUNM. Retrieved February 13, 2010. 
  40. ^ "Rebecca Lobo Bio". WNBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive. Archived from the original on February 7, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5nN9DzVdV. Retrieved February 7, 2010. 
  41. ^ Press, Randy (2009) (PDF). 2009–10 University of Connecticut Women's Basketball Media Guide. p. 145. http://www.uconnhuskies.com/photos/schools/conn/sports/w-baskbl/auto_pdf/0910-mg-pt8-history.pdf. Retrieved February 10, 2010. 
  42. ^ "Prospect: Renee Montgomery". WNBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive. Archived from the original on February 7, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5nN9Mi27y. Retrieved February 7, 2010. 
  43. ^ a b "USA Today: Maya Moore has jersey retired, leads UConn to victory". USA Today (Gannett Co.). 2011-03-01. Archived from the original on March 23, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/5xPlWDXLl. Retrieved March 1, 2011. 
  44. ^ Altavilla, John (February 23, 2011). "UConn's Maya Moore Receives Top Academic Honor". The Hartford Courant (Tribune Corporation). Archived from the original on March 23, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/5xPlpTpC3. Retrieved March 23, 2011. 
  45. ^ "Shea Ralph". www.pittsburghpanthers.com. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on February 7, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5nNBjlQQz. Retrieved February 7, 2010. 
  46. ^ "Husky Bits". The Hartford Courant (Tribune Corporation). April 4, 1995. Archived from the original on February 7, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5nNaz7xCL. Retrieved February 7, 2010. 
  47. ^ "Nykesha Sales WNBA at CBSSports.com". CBSSports.com. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on February 7, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5nNbFtx83. Retrieved February 7, 2010. 
  48. ^ "Diana Taurasi Playerfile". WNBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive. Archived from the original on February 7, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5nNbXipaJ. Retrieved February 7, 2010. 
  49. ^ 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. http://www.webcitation.org/5nNbqvKEE. Retrieved February 7, 2010. 
  50. ^ a b Altavilla, John. "Bio: Hall Of Fame Coach Geno Auriemma". The Hartford Courant. Tribune Corporation. Archived from the original on February 7, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5nNcCDuyf. Retrieved February 7, 2010. 
  51. ^ 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. http://www.webcitation.org/5nN0OOLAP. Retrieved February 7, 2010. 
  52. ^ Altavilla, John (December 29, 2011). "Auriemma Has High Praise For His 2001-02 Champions". Hartford Courant (Tribune Corporation). Archived from the original on December 29, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/64J3EhakK. Retrieved December 29, 2011. 
  53. ^ 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. http://www.webcitation.org/5nN0ems3l. Retrieved February 7, 2010. 
  54. ^ Canfield, Owen (October 27, 1998). "Big-Time Thanks to Coach Toner". The Hartford Courant (Tribune Corporation): p. C5. Archived from the original on March 17, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5oJJdRrRv. Retrieved March 17, 2010. 

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to this article:
UConn Huskies basketball
Connecticut Huskies of Honor
Men's basketball
Players:
Ray Allen • Wes Bialosuknia • Walt Dropo • Richard Hamilton • Tony Hanson • Toby Kimball • Donyell Marshall • Emeka Okafor • Art Quimby • Clifford Robinson • Chris Smith • Corny Thompson • Kemba Walker • Vin Yokabaskas
Coaches:
Jim Calhoun • Dee Rowe • Hugh Greer
Women's basketball
Players:
Coaches:
Teams:
1994–95 • 1999–2000 • 2001–02
Division of Athletics
Athletic
Directors: