RIP Tony Hanson

[gtcam]

I am in shock
Wow he was such a great player but more importantly he was a great human being
Knew him through a friend who lived on the same floor as Tony at UConn
Always had time to talk and would remember folks - name and all
Boy those parties - but that is another story
RIP Tony - a true blue Husky

 

[Moose1979]

I've been a "lurker" on BY for years and I've been too lazy to chime in on anything. But the passing of Tony Hanson is too big to let slide. I was a freshman at UConn his senior year. His final game was sold out long before I could get tickets so we snuck into the game ( it was pretty easy to do in those days) and I remember getting choked up when Dee Rowe took him out near the end. I looked around me and almost everyone else had tears in their eyes. RIP Tony. Am I "misremembering" or does anyone else remember a game at the field house his senior year when he scored 10 consecutive points in a furious comeback. I think the comeback fell short. I can't remember which game it was.

 

[Waquoit]

At 6-4 Tony wasn’t a great shot but was a great scorer and rebounder.

Really? My recollection watching him as a kid was that when Tony shot a jumper, I expected it to go in.

 

[Bezzz]

He was a year behind me in high school. His Holy Cross BB teams with Abro destroyed my Wolcott eagles. Fuzzy memory recalls pitching against Tony and Abro who also played baseball. Love you Tony, rest in peace.

 

[Ha Who]

Wow. He came to my summer camp. Much too young.

 

[LIUCHusky]

My favorite all time Husky. RIP Tony.

 

[WillB4]

Gone way too early. Followed him from Holy Cross to UConn, great player.

 

[RichZ]

He also guided former UConn walk-on E.J. Harrison to a lengthy and productive career in Great Britain.

 

[4UConn]

Huge loss ... still remember well the Hofstra 1976 Sweet Sixteen game comeback. RIP Tony

 

[Madmannsucks]

Huge loss ... still remember well the Hofstra 1976 Sweet Sixteen game comeback. RIP Tony

Yes...over the Hofstra team lead by Rich Laurel I think. Also pretty sure they beat URI to get to the NCAA tourney.

 

[suzyq]

Rest in Peace, Tony!

Played before I was a Husky fan. Gone at 63. Damn.

So sad to hear. Too young!. He was a huge part of the beginning.

 

[Duncan Idaho]

Really? My recollection watching him as a kid was that when Tony shot a jumper, I expected it to go in.

Somewhat flatter shot. Back rim and in. A scorer though. Tough. RIP.

 

[Husky pride]

So sad. If you never saw him play, you missed true magic in a UConn uniform. He, along with teammates Joey Whelton and Jim Abromaitis, brought a special combination of grit and grace to each and every game. He was an utter joy to watch play.

RIP.

Couldn’t have said it any better. He was in a class of his own!! Made you proud to be a Husky fan

 

[mauconnfan]

Yes...over the Hofstra team lead by Rich Laurel I think. Also pretty sure they beat URI to get to the NCAA tourney.

Yes I believe Sly Williams and the kid Nelson from Hall High led URI team.

 

[huskymedic]

Borges: Dee Rowe, Jim Abromaitis mourn the loss of former UConn star Tony Hanson

 

[ctchamps]

Way too young. A real tragedy. RIP Tony. You will be an all star in heaven.

 

[huskymedic]

 

[swami7774]

His senior year was my freshman year. I met him at a party that year(at the Armory, I think). Very nice guy. Terrific player. Wasn't he part of the legendary comeback vs Hofstra in the '76 NCAAs in Providence? RIP, gone way too soon.

 

[JamesinGR]

Gone much too soon. Great Waterbury/Ct/UCONN legend. RIP Tony and prayers for strength to family.

 

[Devland]

Amore: UConn men's basketball great Tony Hanson dead at 63

Great tribute:
Hanson was a special education major at UConn, and routinely stopped to visit children at the Mansfield Training School after UConn games. Helping those with special needs remained a great passion in his life.
“He never considered himself above those young people,” Perno recalled. “He always thought he could help them and would always take time, before games, after games, during games, to talk to them. He just tried to help everybody he could, and that’s why everybody loved him.”

 

[fgbrault]

A great player! Thanks Tony for all the thrills you gave us. May you rest in peace. Prayers for and to Tony and for his family, friends and fans.

 

[Pudge]

Really? My recollection watching him as a kid was that when Tony shot a jumper, I expected it to go in.

The Truth ...

It is accurate to say that Tony was more scorer ... than shooter. With the timeframe Whelton and Weston and Lee Otis ... Tony was never that kind of shot. He easily got to the rim and scored in the mid game. He was very fun to watch. The others made shots that you were amazed; so therefore, TH seemed pedestrian.

 

[UConn77]

I’m stunned and saddened. I got to know Tony during our senior year and he was a great guy. May he Rest In Peace.

 

[Chief00]

Really? My recollection watching him as a kid was that when Tony shot a jumper, I expected it to go in.

He was good mid range and inside but of course the game has changed - and who knows growing up today if he would have worked more on a deep shot. At the time he didn’t really need it.

 

[RedStickHusky]

I saw him play once in high school in the state tourney; an overtime loss to fitch's best ever team but he was the best player on the court.

 

[willie99]

A 6'4" forward (He was no guard). He exemplified blue collar on the court, and real class in life

 

[Utah Top Dog]

Wow, Tony was a legend on the court and a better person off of the court. In 1975 I was a third grader facing the dreaded assignment of writing a letter to a famous person. Most of my classmates at Elmer Thienes in Marlborough wrote the President but I luckily wrote Tony. He responded with a note and an autographed game day pamphlet that I still have today. RIP Tony!

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

Tony was coaching at the Pro AM this summer. Now he is gone. SMDH!

RIP to one of the nicest guys to ever wear the blue and white. Always willing to talk basketball. This def hurts.

 

[gtcam]

A star as big as this and these are all the posts it receives?
Unreal
But then again I guess it says something about the age of most of the posters
I cannot believe he and Wes B are both gone

 

[LIUCHusky]

A star as big as this and these are all the posts it receives?
Unreal
But then again I guess it says something about the age of most of the posters
I cannot believe he and Wes B are both gone

As well as Toby.