Huskies return to Rentschler

UConn fans return to The Rent for football for first time since 2019

The UConn football team made its first appearance at Rentschler Field since 2019 on Saturday for a practice that was open to fans.

EAST HARTFORD — Saturday’s forecast called for a stormy morning but a few showers weren’t going to scuttle Marc Zirolli’s plan to watch the UConn football team’s return to Rentschler Field.

The season ticket holder from South Windsor and his buddies are the kind of fans who arrive well before kickoff and never leave until the score is final. They’ve been to pretty much every game, including the icy contest against South Florida more than a decade ago that UConn won on a last-second kick.

“We’re here in the elements no matter what,” said Zirolli, as he scrambled an egg on a grill under a canopy in the parking lot outside Pratt & Whitney Stadium.

For the first time since 2019, the team was back on its home turf Saturday for a practice open to fans. The 2020 season was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“It’s good to be here,” said Zirolli’s friend, Kevin O’Brien of Plainville, who has been a season ticket holder since 2003, when Rentschler Field opened. O’Brien graduated from Curry College near Boston but grew up in East Hartford and has been a longtime UConn fan.

The early crowd was fairly sparse, but the skies cleared by noon and more fans streamed in. “I’m excited about the direction of the program,” said Dave Valentukonis, a UConn alum from Southington who was joined by fellow fans and students at a tailgate. “I feel like they’re turning a corner.”

Last year, UConn coach Randy Edsall canceled the season, citing concerns about the pandemic. UConn was the first FBS program to do so.

The decision was hard on the players and the fans but it was the right call, said Allison Keating of Darien, whose son, Brian Keating, is the team’s long snapper.

“I’m hoping it works out for the boys this year’“she said.

Her husband, Tad Keating, said he’s thrilled to be back at the stadium watching football.

“It feels wonderful to be back to somewhat normalcy, to be seeing people, tailgating and doing things like that,” he said. “But again, there’s still a pandemic going on. I’m glad to be fully vaccinated.”

Jim Donnelly, a season ticket holder from Hartford, said he’s

JESSICA HILL PHOTOS/SPECIAL TO THE COURANT Mark Cistulli, center, of West Hartford, plays cornhole with his son Paul, left, and friend Mike Longo, right, of Tolland, while they tailgate before an open UConn football practice at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field on Saturday. The Huskies open their season at Fresno State on Aug. 28, their first game since 2019.

Scott Nuss, of Vernon, flips burgers on a grill while he tailgates with UConn football fans, family and alumni before an open practice at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field on Saturday.