Has this happened to UConn before

[cabbie191]

Prior to tonight’s game against USC, I read an article that said based on USC fans earlier this year roundly booing another Trojan transfer who returned for a game @ USC, Geno spent a bit of time talking with K9 about how to handle a possible hostile reception.

Got me wondering whether there has been an instance where a Husky who transferred out then returned to play against us at Gampel or in Hartford.

Anyone know?

 

[DEpup]

The person for me that comes to mind is Espinoza-Hunter since she went to MS State and then Seton Hall. To my recollection even with her departure having some drama, she was never booed when playing UConn.

 

[JoePgh]

Samarie Walker played against UConn after she transferred to Kentucky under strained circumstances, but I don't recall if those games were played in Connecticut. I certainly do not remember any publicity about a hostile reception among UConn fans.

I do remember that when Evina Westbrook played against Tennessee in Knoxville, she did get a hostile reception from the local fans.

 

[YKCornelius]

Bob Joyce commented during the game that the USC fans booed K9 when she came out for warm-ups before the game.

It was nice that the TV cameras caught Lindsey Gottlieb giving her a hug in the postgame handshake line.

 

[sledog]

who is K9?

 

[Lurker]

I cannot remember an episode of booing a player in those circumstances (including where we might have lost a recruiting competition) and I'd like to think that would not happen

Geno is a class human being and takes such good care of his players. Glad he worked w/ K9 in advance.

In fairness, the crowd did seem to cheer K9 on that acrobatic shot she made at the end, and it at least appeared Lindsay was saying kind things to K9 in the line after the game. And, bottom line is that all those people who were booing her had to deal with how bad the team K9 now plays on throttled USC!!

 

[choochoo]

K. Heckel who is number 9 . hence K9

 

[cabbie191]

Like others, I can’t imagine UConn fans booing someone who transferred out and then returned to play against us.

 

[SVCBeercats]

who is K9?

 

[Skeets]

Like others, I can’t imagine UConn fans booing someone who transferred out and then returned to play against us.

I don't think I would boo a returning player. I might boo Saylor's mother if she came to CT (just kidding).

 

[Dove]

K. Heckel who is number 9 . hence K9

Thanks for confirmation.

Lame nickname.

 

[VA Huskie]

The nickname is in part related to her defensive skills…thus K9 (think “dog on defense”).

 

[Centerstream]

Thanks for confirmation.

Lame nickname.

I could be mistaken, which has happened here quite often it seems, but I think the nickname was originated by Kayleigh herself, not something that a BYer came up with.

 

[SoCalCanine]

I could be mistaken, which has happened here quite often it seems, but I think the nickname was originated by Kayleigh herself, not something that a BYer came up with.

If I recall correctly, she had the K9 nickname while at USC. I distinctly remember thinking at the time that it was ironic that K9 was becoming a Husky.

 

[diggerfoot]

In regard to the question of the OP. Two factors make UConn fans less hostile. Online it’s the moderators and the rules they established. On the court it is the unparalleled success we’ve had.

 

[HuskyNan]

Bob Joyce commented during the game that the USC fans booed K9 when she came out for warm-ups before the game.

It was nice that the TV cameras caught Lindsey Gottlieb giving her a hug in the postgame handshake line.

There was this, too

 

[Veteran]

who is K9?

Kayleigh wears #9. Hence, K9.

 

[Aluminny69]

Bob Joyce commented during the game that the USC fans booed K9 when she came out for warm-ups before the game.

It was nice that the TV cameras caught Lindsey Gottlieb giving her a hug in the postgame handshake line.

Someone in the chat room asked if Kaleigh was being "heckled." ( pun intended ) But there was a nice loud cheer when she finally made a basket late in the game. She was clearly not comfortable playing in that game, and I think Geno recognized it.

 

[Aluminny69]

I was also wondering. Dorka Juhasz transferred from Ohio State. UConn lost to Ohio State in the tournament one year. Was Dorka somehow involved, I don't remember Ohio State fans booing Dorka. I'm not sure of the order of events.

 

[JoePgh]

I recall an interview in which Kayleigh proudly stated that she liked the nickname, because it fit her style of play, which is characterized by dog-like ferocity and determination. (Should we say "dogged"?) I think her choice of #9 was meant to fit the nickname, rather than the other way around.

 

[Dove]

I could be mistaken, which has happened here quite often it seems, but I think the nickname was originated by Kayleigh herself, not something that a BYer came up with.

Ahh. Thanks.

 

[Bald Husky]

Kayleigh was booed just about every time she came in the game. If you listened closely, you could hear some of the fans serenating "traitor". As was mentioned before, there was a pretty loud cheer when she made that pretty specular layup. She must have been a favorite of the fans.

 

[OviedoFLHusky]

Someone in the chat room asked if Kaleigh was being "heckled." ( pun intended ) But there was a nice loud cheer when she finally made a basket late in the game. She was clearly not comfortable playing in that game, and I think Geno recognized it.

That was me who asked. I thought I heard Kayleigh getting booed when she handled the ball, and especially when she missed those two free throws. It must have been tough for her. I was glad for her for those cheers when she made the basket, as well as the hug from Coach Gottlieb.

 

[Pharos]

Thanks for confirmation.

Lame nickname.

How 'bout Kaleigh... to go with Ashlynn... After all other players have two-syllable names, like Azzi, Sarah, Serah, Blanca, Morgan, Jana, Kelis... Their moms liked those names enough to pick them... (Dads, too)

 

[HopJim]

There was this, too

There was also a nice hug betweek Kayleigh and Coach Gottlieb in the hand shake line after the game. Seemed very sincere.

 

[huskyd]

We're not scheduled to play Maryland during the regular season this year, but their team features UConn transfers Saylor Poffenbarger and Mir McLean. Don't know if Amari DeBerry is still on the roster. The first two are Maryland natives; DeBerry is a New Yorker. Every year seems to feature a mass exodus from the Terps for reasons not discussed--possibly fatigue from cracking crab shells.
Brenda's team is having a stellar year so far; we may well play them in the Tourney.
Caveat: the Terps usually pad their record by playing cupcakes, which has mostly been the case this season. The team is 10-0.

 

[Bone Dog]

Thanks for confirmation.

Lame nickname.

Just to be clear, that’s the nickname Kayleigh chose, along with her number, which she had at LuHi at SC and now Storrs. It means something to her. No one forced it on her.

 

[HuskyNan]

 

[meyers7]

Thanks for confirmation.

Lame nickname.

 

[YKCornelius]

Thanks for posting this, Nan. Although I won't speculate what K9 was thinking before and during the game, she exhibited resilience and determination throughout. Taking photos and signing autographs after a game where some portion of the crowd is booing you, is a very classy and mature thing to do. Her parents raised her well.

How K9 handled herself after the game bodes well at the next level where this young lady is destined to be. Very glad Kayleigh Heckel is a Husky.