UConn Fans Turn Mitchell’s Westport Into Husky Heaven
On Wednesday night Mitchell’s on the Post Rd. in Westport hosted a truly one-of-a-kind event when they brought the legendary UConnHead Coach Geno Auriemma and his many members of his 2024 Big East Champion Women’s Baskeball team to meet their fans, celebrate their accomplishments and to raise funds for their student athlete involved charity, Bleeding Blue For Good.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Above, left, Page Bueckers joins Legendary UConn Women’s Basketball coach Geno Auriemma on stage to speak with the nearly 200 Husky fans gathered for the event. At right, Husky KK Arnold joins Auriemma and the moderator.
The was a sea of smiling faces at the event as nearly 200 members of Huskey Nation ranging in age from elementary schoolers to one gentleman who was 100 years young. Fans waited on lines to take photos with UConn stars such as Paige Bueckers who at guard is averaging over 21 points a game, Aziz Fudd, KK Arnold, Qadence Samuels, Ashlynn Shade, Ice Brady, who stepped in when starting center Aaliyah Edwards left a game recently with an injury, and other teammates. Fans came through the door carrying almost anything that could be signed, from posters to player-numbered jerseys, basketballs, sneakers and even photo mat boards and frames.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The UConn players were gracious, charming and patient, maintaining their big smiles through some serious writer’s cramps trying to make clear signatures on some very difficult-to-sign items. Geno and his team made sure every fan got the most out of what may be a once in a lifetime opportunity for many.
Coach Auriemma has built a virtually unrivaled women’s basketball program over his 39 years with the University Of Connecticut and is the winningest coach in NCAA history in terms of National Championships with 11, edging out another legendary coach, UCLA’s John Wooden. Auriemma was only one of 9 women’s basketball teams to have perfect season when in the 2015-2016 season they went 38-0. There was no more dominant program or team in the country in the 2010s than UConn as it won four straight national championships and went 151-14 from 2012-16. In 2004 Coach Auriemma joined Men’s Basketball Coach Jim Calhoun when both men and women became the first division one program to win national titles in the same year, a fee repeated in the 2013-2014 season.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
One very dedicated Husky fan, Ivy Toi, a Long Lots 4th grader was going to make the most of here meeting one of her “sheros” Paige Bueckers who wears a trademark elaborately braided hairstyle each game. Ivy, who may be destined to join a Uconn Husky squad one day as she was PAL 4th grade Blue Team Defensive Player of the year, went to Wendy Buten at Moxie Salon who created a perfect replica of Buckers well-known braids. She is pictured here with Coach Auriemma, father John and brother, Bedford Middle 6th grader Everett. Above, left, Ivy poses with Paige, right, Coach Auriemma signs memorabilia for Ivy’s Dad and brother.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Among those attending Wednesday’s event were former First Selectman and Husky fan Jim Marpe, (left). At right, Mitchell’s founder Jack Mitchell (L) and Bill Mitchell (R) and Bruce Blanchard (C).
UConn teamates with autographed Husky Basketballs which were offered at $500. and were quickly snatched up.
Following the speaker’s portion of the event a Q &A session provided the audience to ask questions of Coach Auriemma.
KK Arnold tries, albeit with only partial success, to get Coach to perform his famous “Victory Dance” which he debuted after the Women won the Big East Championship title in 2023.
To see how winning another in a long string of titles over his 39 year career with the University Of Connecticut affects Coach Auriemma, click: Geno Auriemma Victory Dance.
More About Bleeding Blue For Good:
Bleeding Blue for Good provides name, image, and likeness opportunities for UConn student-athletes that help them make a difference.
Bleeding Blue For Good holds clinics, helps support other charitable organizations such as the Tommy Fund. Their involvement and presence substantially boosts charitable event contributions. The presence of the UConn men at a recent Tommy Fund event increased their social media stats by a factor of 10. They recently joined with the UConn Red Cross Club made up of students which holds blood drives and reports to the CT Red Cross.
When speaking to the audience, the organization’s President and Co-Founder, John Malfettone spoke of their recent blood drive efforts. Many blood drives have some attendance, however when UConn Men’s Center Donovon Clingan tweeted that team members would be at the drive, within 16 hours every single slot was filled. According to the Red Cross, every unit of blood saves three lives and as a result of their presence at the drive, they saved 135 lives that day! The Huskies posed for pics and singed autographs delighting those who made donations.
Learn more and how you can help: Bleeding Blue For Good
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.