Geno Auriemma

A remarkable journey that began in Italy and made its way through Philadelphia and Charlottesville, Virginia culminated in Storrs, Connecticut, with a run of success that would redefine dominance in basketball. By building a program from the ground up that would eventually capture five national titles in a 10-year span and qualify for an NCAA-record five consecutive Final Fours (2000-04), Geno Auriemma established himself as one of the most influential figures in the game of basketball. Arriving in Storrs at the age of 31, Auriemma not only built the UConn program into a perennial winner, but also established the standard that all other programs aspire to emulate nationally, both in terms of success on the court and academic excellence. By guiding the UConn Huskies to their first national championship in 1995, Auriemma started a tradition of winning and excellence that would soon be celebrated annually all over Connecticut and New England. He is one of the most charismatic individuals in the sport of women’s basketball and one of the game’s most engaging personalities. His dedication and passion have been primary factors in the dramatic rise in popularity of the women’s game.