Jim Calhoun Celebrity Classic canceled again

[HooperScooper]

Doesn't sound like it will continue in its past format.

The event, which typically occurs in early August, was canceled last year amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The basketball game at Mohegan Sun Arena, which began in 1999 and has raised millions of dollars for the Pat and Jim Calhoun Cardiology Center, had actually been put on hold before the pandemic. Former stars who had played in the game for many years, including Ray Allen, Richard Hamilton, Caron Butler and Charlie Villanueva, were simply getting older, crowds had been getting thinner and the event was losing its spark in recent years.

According to Peter Gold, whose marketing firm, Gold, Orluk & Partners helps coordinate the event, the golf events could “possibly” return next year. The all-star game, not so much.

“Probably unlikely to zero,” Gold said of the chances. “At least not in the form that we know it. What it will look like in the future is uncertain.”

Free access article:

Jim Calhoun celebrity all-star game canceled again

The Jim Calhoun Celebrity Classic has been canceled again, and the biennial all-star...

www.nhregister.com

 

[Dogdeacon]

Bummer, my kids really enjoyed this event. Always got great pictures and the games were fun. I'd much rather keep going to the well on Husky reunion tours than pay quadruple that to watch the 75yr old Eagles run it back.

 

[Waquoit]

Maybe he can get some St. Joe's alums.

 

[wheelerdog]

Calhoun's guys are getting old. Not surprised by this at all. Attendance was really down the last few years

 

[Chin Diesel]

The answer to the basketball game is simple.

Make it a round robin of JC players vs. KO players vs. DH players (those whose eligibility has expired for DH).

 

[Ts5034]

I loved this event. I went to every game from 2004 until the last one in 2018. I have a lot of great memories like getting pictures with and meeting guys like Charlie V, Rashad Anderson, Kemba, Rip, Ray, Marcus Williams, and Calhoun. As a Yankee fan, it was essentially the UConn basketball version of an "Old Timers Day". I hope they can continue this in the future in some way.

 

[Huskyforlife]

This sounds like the kind of thing Freeman could organize at his fake job. Could the school take on this project?

 

[Deepster]

This sounds like the kind of thing Freeman could organize at his fake job. Could the school take on this project?

No. The game benefits the Calhoun charity. Can’t utilize school/state resources for it.

 

[CL82]

I’ve only gone to one of these, but it was a blast. I’d love to see it go on in some way, shape or form.

 

[Huskyforlife]

No. The game benefits the Calhoun charity. Can’t utilize school/state resources for it.

State schools can't host charity events?

 

[Deepster]

State schools can't host charity events?

Not for a personal charity like Calhoun’s. The schools resources are state funded.

 

[Huskyforlife]

Not for a personal charity like Calhoun’s. The schools resources are state funded.

Couldn't they take the format, and donate to a different charity? It's really just an excuse for a fun game anyways.

 

[Bluebelle]

I loved going to this event and talking to the former players. It was nice that they added some of the women players. I hope this event can continue.

 

[Dogdeacon]

Will NIL allow an alumni game to be revived? Obviously this exact game had the Calhoun charity affiliation. Now UConn can sponsor the game and partner with every player that shows to mutually profit off vintage jerseys. Come to the game and get a signed jersey from your favorite Husky from every era!

 

[CL82]

Will NIL allow an alumni game to be revived? Obviously this exact game had the Calhoun charity affiliation. Now UConn can sponsor the game and partner with every player that shows to mutually profit off vintage jerseys. Come to the game and get a signed jersey from your favorite Husky from every era!