‘Big Red’ Tom Emery is a Connecticut celebrity, but to him, he’s 'just a fan'

[HooperScooper]

Since yesterday was Big Red Day.

It was at a game at the Hartford Civic Center in 1982. UConn trailed by a couple of points and coach Dom Perno called a timeout.

The UConn cheerleaders came out on the floor to lead the crowd in a cheer. Only nobody cheered.

“I felt so bad for the cheerleaders,” Tom Emery recalled, “I stood up and yelled, ‘Are you ready!?’ When I yelled it, a couple of sections went along with me and did it. And I didn’t even know what I was doing.”

‘Big Red’ Tom Emery is a Connecticut celebrity, but to him, he’s 'just a fan'

‘Big Red’ Tom Emery is well-known to UConn fans in Connecticut and beyond, but to...

www.ctinsider.com

 

[Letsgohuskies11]

 

[tykurez]

“Emery, who started attending UConn games in 1973 and became a season-ticket holder a couple of years later, grew up in Wallingford and now lives in Meriden. He works in Wallingford as a business account representative, selling custom plaques for That’s Great News.”

That’s some word salad for The Boneyard @temery

 

[Watchdog]

You mean to say the Boneyard's Tom Emery is, in real life, the actual "Big Red"?

He said, "he didn't know what he was doing?" Why should he think he's different than anyone else?
Did Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak know what they were doing?
Did Mark Zuckerman know what he was doing?
Did Jeff Bezos know what he was doing? (Well, his ex-wife sure did)
Did Carroll Shelby know what he was doing?

I rest my case...............

 

[pj]

Congrats Tom!

 

[CL82]

the Boneyard's Tom Emery is, in real life, the actual "Big Red"?

Conspiracy Kitty says:
Or is he?

 

[Edward Sargent]

Tom,
It was fun watching you get the notoriety! I had my Grandsons at the game (they are (were) big BC fans). Now they are teaching their friends the UCONN cheer. Of course when I brought my wife back to the hotel room what do we see over our bed - yes!! Big Red- see attached. Thanks for all you do
Ed

 

[Kitaman]

I have to believe if this was Chief he would have told us himself.

Tom reppin, and good timing. This should make Yarders on the fence want to donate.

Congrats to Tom, we here don't need his autograph though, we see his signature everyday.

 

[mauconnfan]

You mean to say the Boneyard's Tom Emery is, in real life, the actual "Big Red"?

He said, "he didn't know what he was doing?" Why should he think he's different than anyone else?
Did Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak know what they were doing?
Did Mark Zuckerman know what he was doing?
Did Jeff Bezos know what he was doing? (Well, his ex-wife sure did)
Did Carroll Shelby know what he was doing?

I rest my case...............

Oh yeah for sure!!!

 

[Captbluefin]

Congrats and it a well deserved recognition. My 5yo daughter knows the cheer and routine. Generations know it.. A Uconn treasure

 

[JB75]

Congrats big red. Your a staple in ct

 

[cohenzone]

You mean to say the Boneyard's Tom Emery is, in real life, the actual "Big Red"?

He said, "he didn't know what he was doing?" Why should he think he's different than anyone else?
Did Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak know what they were doing?
Did Mark Zuckerman know what he was doing?
Did Jeff Bezos know what he was doing? (Well, his ex-wife sure did)
Did Carroll Shelby know what he was doing?

I rest my case...............

I think they are two different people. I believe the BY Tom lives in MA and is or was a teacher. Both great fans.

 

[UconnAlum04]

Wait, people still don't know that Big Red is Tom Emery is temery?

Big Red, thanks for everything you do both at the games and on this board!

 

[gtcam]

Tom was/is an icon in the UConn mens basketball world
How many fans of other teams have asked me - "who is this Big Red dude???"
He deserves a place in the Wall of Fame as the epitome of the 6th man on the floor
Congrats for what you do at the game and on this blog

 

[navery12]

I've been on here for 5 years and I'm still not entirely sure whether there's 1 or 2 Tom Emery superfans

 

[Hoophound]

If you meet Big Red, he says he is a different Tom Emery. If you ask temery, he’ll say he isn’t Big Red. Yet, many board members will tell you they are one in the same.

 

[temery]

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

I never know who is in on the joke...
...or if I even am...

 

[superjohn]

I've been on here for 5 years and I'm still not entirely sure whether there's 1 or 2 Tom Emery superfans

There's only one and he's glorious.

 

[Devland]

I've been on here for 5 years and I'm still not entirely sure whether there's 1 or 2 Tom Emery superfans

The one on here is Bruce Wayne, Clark Kent......

 

[Hoophound]

One time I met Big Red at a football game and introduced myself as Hoophound. He said, "Hi, how are you doing?" and shook my hand. Then he goes, "That's actually a different Tom Emery." I nodded with a smile and left no better knowing the truth. However, I now know the truth, but I'm not spoiling it for everyone.

 

[ctchamps]

One thing for sure is that we know our guy is not this big red guy:




Definitely not our Temery!!!!

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

Now you know why "Undecided" is beneath my avatar.



@makersmuppet and @Chief00 are other matters altogether.

 

[husky429]

One time I met Big Red at a football game and introduced myself as Hoophound. He said, "Hi, how are you doing?" and shook my hand. Then he goes, "That's actually a different Tom Emery." I nodded with a smile and left no better knowing the truth. However, I now know the truth, but I'm not spoiling it for everyone.

Where are the appropriate places to introduce oneself by their 'Yard handle? UConn events and most every pizza joint in the state come to mind. Divorce court?

 

[mauconnfan]

Where are the appropriate places to introduce oneself by their 'Yard handle? UConn events and most every pizza joint in the state come to mind. Divorce court?

Any court!

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

One thing for sure is that we know our guy is not this big red guy:

View attachment 51245


Definitely not our Temery!!!!

Gross is right

 

[UconnAlum04]

View attachment 51217

C !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[CL82]

Any court!

The real question is when Mau does this does he say.

"Mau-Conn-Fan"
"Ma-UConn-Fan"
"Em-Ay UConn Fan"
"Massachusetts UConn Fan"
"Mau"

If you say anything but the last one do people just stare at you blanky? On the other hand if you say to a non-yarder "Hi I'm Mau." That has to be a little awkward.

 

[mauconnfan]

The real question is when Mau does this does he say.

"Mau-Conn-Fan"
"Ma-UConn-Fan"
"Em-Ay UConn Fan"
"Massachusetts UConn Fan"
"Mau"

If you say anything but the last one do people just stare at you blanky? On the other hand if you say to a non-yarder "Hi I'm Mau." That has to be a little awkward.
View attachment 51250

All the old guys who've seen me is pretty much an automatic Mau (or Kev). If court is in session and I'm in front with cuffs on they ignore me or stare at me blanky as you say!

 

[UconnAlum04]

If you meet Big Red, he says he is a different Tom Emery. If you ask temery, he’ll say he isn’t Big Red. Yet, many board members will tell you they are one in the same.

I guess Tom Emery is a common name?

On top of that, not only do we happen to get 2 Tom Emerys but they both happen to be HUGE UConn fans.

1 leads chants at games while the other created the Boneyard...and neither one knows the other.

Go figure!