Why UConn bball matters to CT natives

[kingofkatie]

As a lifelong UConn bball fan who's frequently asked by non-CT'ers, "You didn't even go to UConn? Why are you such a big fan?" I wrote this blog as a response to that question, as well as to describe why our unexpected win this week was so galvanizing for all of us:

http://kingofkatie.tumblr.com/post/82232595721/connecticut-is-uconn

 

[RoderickSpode]

I'm also a CT native who chose not to attend UConn, but I will love the athletic programs forever. My memories of going to Gampel and the Civic Center/XL with my dad (who is a UConn alum) go back 25 years -- I get misty thinking about all the wonderful memories. Great post.

 

[Leebo]

I'm not a UConn alum, but both of my parents are. Watching UConn games is part of life. It's like breathing. I wouldn't consider anything else.

 

[kingofkatie]

I'm also a CT native who chose not to attend UConn, but I will love the athletic programs forever. My memories of going to Gampel and the Civic Center/XL with my dad (who is a UConn alum) go back 25 years -- I get misty thinking about all the wonderful memories. Great post.

Thanks Roderick, I got misty-eyed writing it! Experiencing UConn games are definitely some of my best childhood memories, hope to share it with my own kids someday!

 

[DDaileyuconn]

I'm not a UConn alum, left Hartford, ct 1983 to join the army, but growing up inBellevue sq, with my boy Michael Adams playing basketball, u might know him BC guard, Uconn will always be the school that I bleed blue for, check out the wall.

 

[Palatine]

I was in that bar for the Florida game on Saturday. I didn't see that woman. Of course they we 70 of us, so I could have missed her.

 

[Leebo]

I was in that bar for the Florida game on Saturday. I didn't see that woman. Of course they we 70 of us, so I could have missed her.

Are you... talking about the woman who made the topic?

 

[Greathusky]

As a lifelong UConn bball fan who's frequently asked by non-CT'ers, "You didn't even go to UConn? Why are you such a big fan?" I wrote this blog as a response to that question, as well as to describe why our unexpected win this week was so galvanizing for all of us:

http://kingofkatie.tumblr.com/post/82232595721/connecticut-is-uconn

Wow! You are one of us and understand us. A rare combination!

That was one excellent read.

 

[Palatine]

Are you... talking about the woman who made the topic?

Yeah, Katie. A photo shows her in The Garage in Santa Monica. Had a wonderful time there watching the semi-final and drinking car bombs.

 

[Leebo]

Yeah, Katie. A photo shows her in The Garage in Santa Monica. Had a wonderful time there watching the semi-final and drinking car bombs.

Ah. Just wasn't sure when you said "that woman" instead of "you".

 

[azescobar]

Great post. We seem to travel a similar path. Both of my parents are alums but I didn't go to UConn. I applied and was admitted to both undergrad and law school but elected to go out of state. I now live in Boston but come back every year for season tix at XL (even though I much prefer Gampel, it's just much easier to go to Hartford). UConn is one of the rare schools where you don't have to be an alum to feel the same strong connection. I've been a legit, die hard fan since age 8- which luckily for me, coincided with the dream season. Now, I need to find some new hobbies for the next six months..at least they recruit in the summer..

 

[ColoradoUCFan]

I'm not a UConn alum. But, I'm a CT native who watched games religiously since I was a kid. Monday I found myself at the National Championship screaming for UConn. My friends in Colorado don't get it.

 

[Chris]

Excellent read. I am also not an alum. CT native but had to move. Earliest memories are those of UConn. Got bashed the other day cause some people just don't understand. I've never play for the New England Patriots either but am a diehard fan as well. Silly for people to judge like that.

 

[ColoradoUCFan]

As a lifelong UConn bball fan who's frequently asked by non-CT'ers, "You didn't even go to UConn? Why are you such a big fan?" I wrote this blog as a response to that question, as well as to describe why our unexpected win this week was so galvanizing for all of us:

http://kingofkatie.tumblr.com/post/82232595721/connecticut-is-uconn

Now I just read your story. I posted the last time before actually reading it. Just wanted to say that it was awesome. I can really relate to everything you wrote. Good job. Well done.

 

[UCweCONN]

UCONN is the one thing we have that unites everyone in the state, young and old, black and white, Democrat and Republican, rich and poor, Yankee, Mets, Red Sox fans etc. Think about it. It's true.

 

[TXHuskyFan]

I'm in the same boat. Not an alum, but there is UConn all over my house: banners, flags, bobble heads, Pom poms, stuffed huskies, stickers, framed SI covers, etc. I too went to a college with little D1 history and was no threat to my allegiance....until 1st round in '11 when my alma mater was the talking heads pick. As I had UConn going all the way in my bracket, I cheered for the huskies over my school. I have seen the three NCs in Texas, sat in the UConn section for two of them, thanks to another non-alum huge fan. We are all husky nation.

 

[61cygni]

I guess there are a lot of us! Great read, love the pic with Kemba's mom.

 

[patrick]

What a great read!
I can relate on so many levels but the one that stands out the most is taking my daughter to the games just like your dad did with you!

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

I don't know what the numbers show these days, but I seem to recall that there was a time when CT was the only state from which more people attended private colleges than state schools. This reflected elements of snobbery and upward mobility. It also meant that a lot of CT natives were educated at schools w/Division 3 athletics, in addition to being from a state without its own major league teams. While the first $1 billion dollar investment in UCONN, aided by changed perceptions driven by athletic success have changed things dramatically, and momentum continues, neither I, my siblings, nor my cousins considered attending UCONN, but our fan loyalties were derived from parents who did. The only exceptions are cousins who went to Syracuse, Georgia Tech & Duke, but not the one who went to Tulane. This generation, all of the kids I know who go to UCONN have parents who were educated at private schools and they are proud of their UCONN kids and lower school costs.

 

[Dogbreath2U]

Welcome to The Boneyard! Your Likes to Post ration currently rivals the upstart tcf's gaudy numbers. Nice article.

 

[kingofkatie]

Yeah, Katie. A photo shows her in The Garage in Santa Monica. Had a wonderful time there watching the semi-final and drinking car bombs.

I was at The Garage in Culver City for the Elite Eight, Final Four and Final Game watch parties - we had a great crowd, almost felt like being home

 

[kingofkatie]

Welcome to The Boneyard! Your Likes to Post ration currently rivals the upstart tcf's gaudy numbers. Nice article.

Thanks! My dad is an avid Boneyard member, I used to just get my news through him but figured why not create my own account. Connecting with other fans is always fun, especially since I'm way out in Cali now!

 

[spiderhusky]

Great post that I related to on many levels. I'm also a CT native who has been a diehard fan since I was 8 years old. I chose not to attend UConn but never stopped bleeding blue.

Love the pic of the Chris Smith Petro Pantry card.

 

[rw005]

Nicely written and Welcome To The Boneyard.

I'm the only one in my family who went to UConn, definitely the best choice I made, since they were mostly Seton Hall grads.

 

[NightDog]

As a lifelong UConn bball fan who's frequently asked by non-CT'ers, "You didn't even go to UConn? Why are you such a big fan?" I wrote this blog as a response to that question, as well as to describe why our unexpected win this week was so galvanizing for all of us:

http://kingofkatie.tumblr.com/post/82232595721/connecticut-is-uconn

Thanks for wrapping up, what a lot of us have felt for years, into one nice, neat package. I might just have to print out your blog and when people ask what is it about UConn, I can just hand it to them. Again, thanks.