The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
MARCH MADNESS
Making history: At 107 consecutive wins and counting, UConn’s Auriemma gears up for another big tournament
CROMWELL >> It’s the most exciting time of the year for UConn Women’s Basketball Head Coach Geno Auriemma.
Hours before the start of the NCAA Women’s Tournament selection show, Auriemma was the keynote speaker for the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting at the Radisson Hotel in Cromwell Monday.
“This is a breakfast you don’t miss. As you can see, the room is packed and Coach Auriemma is an incredibly bright man and a great leader and it’s always wonderful to hear from him. I always learn a lot from this breakfast,” said Middletown Mayor Daniel Drew.
A standing ovation from more than 600 greeted the Hall of Fame basketball coach, leaving Auriemma in awe. “There’s always a lot of excitement in the air because this is the time of year — this is when it all kind of happens,” Auriemma said.
This is Auriemma’s 32nd season with UConn and within that time, the coach has seen a change of leadership within the organization — from athletic di-
rectors to board of trustee members. Throughout all of these adjustments, the message of UConn basketball has remained the same, he said.
“Things have changed but the players on my team still expect the same results,” Auriemma said.
After UConn lost its top three ranked players, many analysts predicted that 2016-17 team would fall behind the pack, with Auriemma himself also having doubts.
“Whenever you are going into the unknown, it’s always best to leave it be. Don’t put a burden onto people who can’t live up to expectations that already exist, which are pretty high,” Auriemma said.
Coming off a fourth consecutive national title, Auriemma saw this as a time to start rebuilding a whole new team, he said. “When you’re pretty good, that’s the time to start making changes. When you start making changes when you’re good, you’re always operating in a position of strength,” Auriemma said.
Auriemma has brought fresh faces from the sidelines onto the court, such as junior Gabby Williams and sophomore Katie Lou Samuelson. The results have been historic — a 107game winning streak and counting.
“It’s been an amazing year that no one could have predicted and yet we have three weekends to prove that we are as good as everyone says we are,” Auriemma said.
Analysts have changed their tune when it comes to the Huskies and have now placed them to be at top of every bracket for the NCAA selection committee. The undefeated UConn women’s team will start this weekend off at Gampel Pavilion before moving on to the Webster Bank Arena later this month. If all goes as planned, UConn will be in Dallas playing for its fifth consecutive title at the women’s Final Four.
Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce President Larry McHugh said having Auriemma speak at the March meeting is a great way for the chamber to kick off the NCAA tournament season.
“Everyone loves Geno. They love him as a coach, he is a great coach, we are honored to have him at UConn and honored to have him here with us today,” he said.
Other notable guest included Travelers Championship tournament Director Nathan Grube, Cromwell Mayor Enzo Faienza and former UConn coach Dee Rowe.
Middletown High School Cheerleading Coach Sharon Riley came to the event to gain inspiration from Auriemma’s coaching style.
“I’ve been watching him for years and years. Every time he comes here, I come to try to pick up something from him. He is a great coach,” said Riley.
It’s been an annual tradition to have Auriemma speak at the chamber breakfast, dating back to 2011, and one that Auriemma said he always looks forward to. “What Larry has built — it’s unique in the state of Connecticut. You can’t go anywhere else at 7:30 in the morning and get the reception that you get here. Every time I get invited, I am going to come,” Auriemma said.