Where the heck is Big Red?

[hthusky74]

This tradition can not be lost whether Big Red attends games or not.

What UConn needs to do is add something along the lines of "It's big red time!" on the score board when we go on a run. Then, simply just spell the letters out on the scoreboard.

Knowing the money grabbers at UConn and their partners at Nike they'll want to change it to chartreuse!

 

[hthusky74]

There used to be a gentleman wearing a "Cat in the Hat" at the Women's games in Hartford. If no Big Red, he would be a good fill in.

That guy was UConn Harry I think, but God bless him, he was weak!

 

[hthusky74]

I was watching the game on TV and was live texting a few of my buddies. At 1:29pm (mid-second half, based on time stamp), I asked him is Gampel was as loud as Michigan State '99. If you weren't there, they hired the real Michael Buffer to do his "Let's Get Ready to Rumble!!!!!" deal.

UConn jumped on Mateen Cleaves and Co. and never looked back. It was the loudest I've ever heard Gampel. Though truth be told, the Red Dog hangover may have amplified the sensation that day. Dear Geezus, why did we ever drink that swill?

That crowd was wild. A lot of it was due to the nature of the game. UConn pressing, stealing and running the ball down the SPARTAN'S GUT!

 

[willie99]

I made some calls to people that know Big Red. As far as I can gather, he has been sick but plans on being at the next game. We have not lost him.

thank you, I'm not ready to let go just yet

he has to give us a two year notice, Allah willing, and then train somebody to replace him

it's all about the timing dontchaknow

 

[huskyjawz]

The student section used to chant for Red's name, and that would lead up to his chant.

Haven't heard that in years. It was awesome.

 

[Uconn93]

I don't know Big Red but he started the chant in the 1989-90 Dream Season. I was a student at the time and if memory serves correct it began at one of the first games we ever had at Gampel. He just got up and did his thing and the student section urged him on at most games from that point forward.

Vuce-I have the same exact recollection. Coach Calhoun used a full court press a lot that season and we had a ton of steals....especially Nadav Henefeld and Scott Burrell had more than a few too....... and it led to a lot of runs. After UConn would go on a run and the opponent called time out, Big Red would do his thing and the student section would abuse the other team in their huddle during the timeout.....which lead to Villanova (I think) bringing folding chairs and having their timeouts on the court away from the student section.

 

[Vuce]

Maybe Big Red did that chant sporadically over the years but I went to all the Uconn games as a student in 1987-88 and 1988-89 and don't remember him doing it until the 1989-90 season and it was a regular thing after that.

 

[uconnell]

That guy was UConn Harry I think, but God bless him, he was weak!

That was Ted.

 

[8893]

Was Big Red at the Yale game?

 

[Brochacho]

Was Big Red at the Yale game?

No.

 

[Bryan Lord]

He's abandoned us! All hope is forsaken.

 

[David 76]

Big Red and his chant are a tradition that should be continued.
And while we are at it, could we get rid of the lame Huskies, UCONN, UGHH! chant? It sucks and does not build energy.

 

[hthusky74]

I can't believe we haven't heard from Tom

 

[mauconnfan]

Time to find a new Big Red. While it won't be the same it's time for some fan to step up. I mean the women have some dude going to every game with balls hanging all over his face how hard is it to get someone to stand up and make the U C O N N?

 

[UConn98]

That was Ted.

When I did women's pep band in the 96-97 and 97-98 seasons, there was a woman or (women) in the section near where Big Red is/was who would stand up and do the youyouyouyouawwwyou after a foul. Different from the Cat in the Hat man; I remember him walking around the concourse throughout a game.

 

[BlueWhiteKid]

Wow. That kind of sucks. The chant was probably my favorite UConn tradition.

@BlueWhiteKid any chance you take this on and carry the tradition forward? I know it's Big Red's thing but UConn basketball needs it.

Nah, that's his thing. I would never think of taking it away from him.

 

[8893]

Nah, that's his thing. I would never think of taking it away from him.

No one is suggesting taking it away from him. The question is whether he is doing it anymore at all. If not, someone else should. And you would be a great person to do it imo. But only if you want to, obviously.

 

[Mots010]

It's pretty much our only organic tradition at our home games. It needs to continue if Red is hanging it up.

 

[UCweCONN]

6'1" not 6'10"

So SouthTampaBill is out then?? Darn, he would've been perfect too.....