U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney declared Storrs, Conn., part of the district he represents, the Basketball Capital of the World on the floor of the the U.S. House of Representatives on Monday.
Courtney, a Democrat who represents eastern Connecticut and the state’s second congressional district, took the time to praise the UConn men’s basketball team during a speech on the House floor on Monday.
“Mr. Speaker, a couple days ago on Saturday in the city of Hartford, Connecticut, the capital city of the state of Connecticut, 60,000 people gathered to celebrate the parade that was held in honor of the UConn men’s college basketball team, which again just a mere week ago on Monday swept over the University of Purdue, a very good team, and secured back to back national titles,” Courtney said, before mentioning that it was the first time a team had won consecutive championships since Florida in 2006-07, and pointing out the changes the college sports landscape has seen since then.
The UConn men’s basketball team was celebrated with a Victory Parade and Rally in Hartford Saturday to congratulate the team on their 2024 NCAA Championship win, April 13, 2024. Photo by Cloe Poisson/Special to the Courant
The Hartford Athletic mascot, Dillon, high fives UConn basketball fans during a Victory Parade and Rally in Hartford Saturday to congratulate the men’s team on their 2024 NCAA Championship win, April 13, 2024. Photo by Cloe Poisson/Special to the Courant
The UConn cheerleaders march in a Victory Parade and Rally in Hartford Saturday to celebrate the men’s basketball team on their 2024 NCAA Championship win, April 13, 2024. Photo by Cloe Poisson/Special to the Courant
Members of Hartford’s Proud Drill Drum and Dance Corps perform under the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch on Trinity Street as they take part in the UConn men’s Victory Parade and Rally in Hartford Saturday to congratulate the team on their 2024 NCAA Championship win, April 13, 2024. Photo by Cloe Poisson/Special to the Courant
The Milositz family - Katherine, Kiera, 5, Joe and Cora, 2, wave while watching a Victory Parade and Rally in Hartford Saturday to congratulate the UConn men’s basketball team on their 2024 NCAA Championship win, April 13, 2024. The Milositz’s are from Monroe. Photo by Cloe Poisson/Special to the Courant
UConn fans fill Trumbull Street to celebrate the UConn men’s basketball team’s NCAA National Championship during a Victory Parade and Rally in Hartford Saturday, April 13, 2024. An estimated 60,000 fans attended the event. Photo by Cloe Poisson/Special to the Courant
UConn men’s basketball head coach Dan Hurley (far right) addresses a crowd of fans at a Victory Parade and Rally in Hartford Saturday to congratulate the team on their 2024 NCAA Championship win, April 13, 2024. Photo by Cloe Poisson/Special to the Courant
Gov. Ned Lamont makes brief remarks from the podium during a Victory Parade and Rally in Hartford Saturday to congratulate the UConn men’s basketball team on their 2024 NCAA Championship win, April 13, 2024. Photo by Cloe Poisson/Special to the Courant
UConn center Donovan Clingan tosses a T-shirt to a fan from the top of a double-decker bus during a Victory Parade and Rally in Hartford Saturday to congratulate the team on their 2024 NCAA Championship win, April 13, 2024. Photo by Cloe Poisson/Special to the Courant
UConn men’s basketball fans line Jewell Street in Hartford as the team’s double-decker bus passes by during a Victory Parade and Rally Saturday to congratulate the team on their 2024 NCAA Championship win, April 13, 2024. Photo by Cloe Poisson/Special to the Courant
A young UConn men’s basketball fan waves to the team at a Victory Parade and Rally in Hartford Saturday to congratulate the team on their 2024 NCAA Championship win, April 13, 2024. Photo by Cloe Poisson/Special to the Courant
A huge crowd of fans cheer for the UConn men’s basketball team during a Victory Parade and Rally in Hartford Saturday to congratulate the team on their 2024 NCAA Championship win, April 13, 2024. Photo by Cloe Poisson/Special to the Courant
The UConn men’s basketball team arrives at the XL Center on Trumbull Street in Hartford to a huge crowd during a victory parade and rally in Hartford Saturday. (Cloe Poisson/Special to the Courant)
Fans shout to the UConn men’s basketball team as the team’s bus arrives at the XL Center on Trumbull Street in Hartford during a Victory Parade and Rally Saturday to celebrate their 2024 NCAA Championship win, April 13, 2024. Photo by Cloe Poisson/Special to the Courant
UConn fans react as the UConn men’s basketball team passes by on Jewell Street in Hartford during a Victory Parade and Rally in Hartford Saturday to celebrate their 2024 NCAA Championship win, April 13, 2024. Photo by Cloe Poisson/Special to the Courant
“The ability of a university to repeat because of all these factors that undermine continuity was really, I think, extraordinary that the UConn men were able to, after losing three players from last year’s team to the NBA, losing other players to the portal, was still able to reload and under the amazing leadership of Coach Dan Hurley, was able to dominate both the Big East regular season tournament and then obviously the Final Four out in Phoenix, Arizona,” Courtney said. “Again, a great collection of players, some of whom again are going to be leaving soon. From Bristol, Connecticut, 7’2, sophomore, Tristen Newton, who won Big East Player of the Year, just again an amazing guard and just going to do great things when he moves up to the next level.”
The state representative went on to praise the UConn women, who also reached the Final Four this season, for the 23rd time in program history.
“Coach Geno Auriemma, who again is a genius, was able to cobble together a team when they had six players, some of their top players who suffered year-ending injuries, and somehow make it to the final four again. And they battled a great team from University of Iowa, led by Caitlin Clark, to the final minute, final seconds, showing again what an incredible competitive spirit they have.
“Mr. Speaker, there’s still some debate that you see with the sports pundits about who is the real blue bloods of college basketball and which is the capital of the world for college basketball. There is no question, Storrs, Connecticut, the home of the UConn Huskies, which I have the honor to represent, is clearly the college basketball capital of the world. Again, the two programs have been to the Final Four in the same year five times. The men have won their sixth title, combined with 11 from the women, that’s 17 titles. There is not a single (school) anywhere close all across the country to achieve that greatness.
“So again, it was a wonderful day on Saturday. The players deserved all of the cheering and praise that they received. And I have no doubt when Coach Hurley got up there and said his goal right now is to do a three-peat, people better keep their eye on the UConn Huskies.”
