Let’s begin this article by welcoming the class of 2028 to the University of Connecticut! If you are a big sports fan, you came to the right school to watch college sports. UConn has everything from being the Basketball Capital of the World to a historic season for the women’s ice hockey team. This article will highlight that along with the more impressive athletic teams that UConn has to offer. Here are some of the most notable UConn athletic events:
Men’s soccer vs. NJIT & No. 16 Georgetown (Thursday, Aug. 29, 7 p.m. & Oct. 12, 7 p.m.)
While Storrs is known to be the Basketball Capital of the World, the men’s soccer team is one of UConn’s most successful, winning three national championships and seven conference tournament titles. Student Traditions Night is the perfect way to begin your UConn Huskies fandom as it gets you prepared, not only for soccer matches, but any UConn sporting event. That will be on Thursday against NJIT. The team’s toughest home game will be against Big East rival Georgetown, currently ranked 16th No. 16 per the United Soccer Coaches Poll. Every home soccer game, men’s or women’s, will be held at Morrone Stadium.
Field hockey vs. Saint Joseph’s & Liberty (Aug. 30, Friday, 4 p.m. & Oct. 25, 1 p.m.)
It wasn’t a great year for one of the most successful programs in college field hockey history. During legendary head coach Nancy Stevens’s tenure, the Huskies won three national championships and currently have five overall. UConn will begin its season at home against Saint Joseph’s. Their toughest test in conference play will be when they host Big East runner-up Liberty at the George J. Sherman Family Sports Complex (the turf behind Gampel Pavilion). There’s also an exhibition game against Fairfield on Saturday, Aug. 24.
Volleyball vs. LIU & St. John’s (Aug. 30, Friday, 7 p.m. & Oct. 19, 4 p.m.)
One of the most unique features of the UConn Athletics complex is the UConn Volleyball Center. When I started school here in Storrs, that building was home to ice hockey, which now resides in the brand-new Toscano Family Ice Forum. It was a dismal season last year for the Huskies, but the team was strong at home two seasons ago with only two losses. Connecticut will open the season against LIU on Friday, while their toughest conference matchup comes later in the fall against St. John’s.
Women’s soccer vs. Cal State Fullerton & No. 24 Texas A&M (Sept. 5, 7 p.m. & Sept. 15, 1 p.m.)
2023 saw a Big East Championship appearance for the Huskies, with forward Chioma Okafor and midfielder Jessica Mazo being named to the All-Big East First Team. Their first home game with everyone back on campus won’t be until September, as Connecticut hosts Cal State Fullerton. Later that month, a big home game against No. 24 Texas A&M will be, their toughest test of the season.
Football vs. Merrimack & Wake Forest (Sept. 7, Noon & Oct. 19, Noon)
My first year at UConn saw first-year head coach Jim Mora lead the Huskies to a bowl game, the program’s first since 2015, including impressive wins over Liberty and Boston College. Fans will love the running back duo of Cam Edwards and Victor Rosa, among some of the best players on the team. While there were a lot of departures, there are a lot of newcomers who are looking to make an immediate impact this season. Quarterback Nick Evers headlines the newcomers this year. He transferred to UConn after years at Oklahoma and Wisconsin. Merrimack is the team’s home opener at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, but its toughest home opponent is Wake Forest. If you do not have a way of getting there, get to the Student Union, as they will hand out bus passes that will take you to the stadium and back to campus for every home game.
Women’s ice hockey vs. Minnesota (Sept. 27 & 28)
UConn’s women’s ice hockey team is coming off a historical season with their first Hockey East Championship in program history. While it will be difficult to have the same type of season this year, head coach Chris MacKenzie hopes to bring the team to even higher levels of success. Connecticut will begin their season by hosting Minnesota, a team that finished fifth nationally. Men’s and women’s ice hockey home games will be on campus at the Toscano Family Ice Forum.
Men’s ice hockey vs. Colgate & Boston College (Oct. 5 & Nov. 15)
In a difficult Hockey East conference, every game becomes a must-watch, as there are multiple NHL prospects on every team. The Ice Bus, their nickname, begins their season with two games against Colgate on the first Saturday and Sunday of October. Boston College, one of the best teams last season, will also face the Huskies in Storrs in mid-November. My favorite part about home games is when UConn scores, their goal song is “Brass Bonanza,” which used to be the Hartford Whalers’ goal song. UConn’s hockey games, men’s or women’s, should 100% be on your bucket list for your first year of college.
Men’s & women’s basketball First Night (TBD, sometime in October)
The men’s basketball team just won back-to-back national championships, a rare feat in college basketball. While four of last year’s five starters have left Storrs for the NBA, head coach Dan Hurley is back for another season after being in talks with the Los Angeles Lakers in the off-season. One of his key returners is Alex Karaban, who finished last regular season with a 50-40-90 season (meaning that his shooting percentages, including from 3-point range and the free throw line, were excellent). One of the most anticipated newcomers is five-star freshman Liam McNeeley, who committed to UConn after previously committing to Indiana.
The women’s basketball team is coming off a Final Four appearance with Paige Bueckers finally healthy for the first time since her National Player of the Year season in 2021. She will return alongside Hall of Fame head coach Geno Auriemma for her final season before starting her WNBA career.