Every year, as the air gets crisper and leaves fall off the trees, thousands of fans get ready for the UConn men’s and women’s basketball seasons. Ever popular, the teams have established a legacy of success. This Sunday, Oct. 13, Mohegan Sun Casino and Resort hosted a free Fan Fest for all ages to ring in the upcoming basketball season in association with the Basketball Hall of Fame.
The fest was located in the casino’s Earth Ballroom, a large room used for expos and special events. Visitors were treated to free popcorn, cotton candy and beverages – with several interactive activities for families to enjoy. Fans could participate in a shoot-out contest on a large inflatable basketball game against the Jonathan the Husky mascot, who took photos alongside the men’s team’s most recent NCAA Championship trophy.
The main attraction of the event was the chance for autographs from the men’s basketball team in one of their rarer public appearances. Hundreds of attendees lined up for the chance and were able to meet the players and take photographs with them. “Game Day” Conor Geary, the on-court host of UConn’s home basketball and football games, was also present and socialized with fans before and during the fest.
“To see that we have this fan base, who come all the way out here before the first tipoff [of the season] is crazy. It’s something we only dreamed of before,” said Geary. “UConn Nation is always a great crowd.” He also works as the emcee for Connecticut Sun and Hartford Yard Goats games.
Once the doors opened, the UConn cheer and dance ensemble performed a medley of their routines.
“A lot of us grew up dancing, dreaming of doing this at UConn, a big sports school. [Tomorrow] we’ll be out supporting the team and it’s for charity, it’s a good thing,” said Ashley, a member of the dance team.
The event comes a day before the Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Game, to be played at Mohegan Sun Arena on Monday, Oct. 14. The game will pit the UConn men’s basketball team against the University of Rhode Island in both teams’ first exhibition contest of the year. Before working with UConn, Head Coach Dan Hurley spent six years in charge of URI’s team.
The game will benefit Coaches vs Cancer, a national charity partnership between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches. The organization promotes cancer awareness and education and helps raise money to support research.
“We’ve worked with the Basketball Hall of Fame for a very long time, and we wanted to make a great all-encompassing weekend for UConn fans. With tomorrow’s game and the women’s series later in the year, not to mention the Sun, we’ve really been cementing Connecticut as the Basketball Capitol of the World,” explained Krista May, vice president of marketing and communications for the Connecticut Sun.
The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is based in Springfield, MA – the birthplace of the sport – but does not have an active playing court. For many years, they’ve partnered with the casino to use Mohegan Sun Arena, the home of the Connecticut Sun WNBA team. In December, the UConn women’s basketball team will face off at the arena against Iowa State in the Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase. LSU and Seton Hall will also compete in their own game, with the series billed as bringing top-tier players together; the Hall of Fame also sponsors other special events and games between other schools.
With tomorrow’s game and the women’s series later in the year, not to mention the Sun, we’ve really been cementing Connecticut as the Basketball Capitol of the World.
Connecticut Sun Vice President of Marketing and Communications Krista May
The Mohegan Sun Casino and Resort, located in Montville, CT on the Mohegan Tribal Reservation, has been a long-time sponsor of UConn athletics. They host a variety of UConn basketball events in addition to the Big East Conference Championship such as being an NCAA tournament site, hosting CIAC state high school basketball events and other entertainment and concert performances.
The Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Game tips off at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 14 from Mohegan Sun Arena – broadcasts of the game can be enjoyed on cable channel Comcast Sportsnet Boston (Huskyvision channel 13) and on the UConn Huskies Radio Network.
For more information about special events and team schedules, visit uconnhuskies.com and mohegansun.com.