Another ride around the sun with the University of Connecticut has finally concluded, and it sure was an interesting one. Alongside some turbulent seasons with various UConn teams, the Storrs campus has also weathered multiple snowstorms, a slew of subsequent class cancellations and icy roads. It’s been an interesting one, and writers of the Life section have come together to recap some of their favorite moments from this academic year in the final issue of The Daily Campus’s 2025-2026 printing run.
Samantha Brody, she/her/hers, Life Editor, sab23059@uconn.edu
I was never a sports fan before college, but the never-ending competitive spirit that students hold at UConn has captured me within the past two years. Braylon Mullins’s dagger to end the Elite Eight game against Duke was certainly a moment to remember, especially since I watched it at the Daily Campus building. I don’t know if I’ll ever be in a louder room of journalists.
But anyone who might prefer the football team knows this wasn’t the only legendary Duke win. As a member of the UConn Marching Band, I got to watch quarterback Joe Fagnano lead the Huskies to victory in the fall, and I think that experience might have been even better. Students stormed the field after the win, and the band stayed for at least another half hour to continue playing as the football players celebrated below. I still smile when I watch the videos back.
Side note: the worst moment of this year at UConn? I was diagnosed with the flu when we were hit with the first snowstorm. There’s nothing quite like spending your days off rotting in bed, despairing that you’re unable to DoorDash food or manage the walk to a dining hall. Be wary of friends who blame their cough on the heating system in their dorm — but I say this with love!
Ayyan Tamjeed, he/him/his, Staff Writer, art24001@uconn.edu
That NCAA National Championship watch party reminded me that it’s best to watch sports with others. Seeing a stadium full of UConn students go from elation to despair in a matter of seconds, screaming at the jumbotron as if they’re a bunch of rowdy uncles and hearing chants of “UConn! Huskies!” reverberate across Toscano was breathtaking, and I wouldn’t miss it for the world.
The rationalist in me thinks “guys, should we really be spending millions upon millions on our basketball programs when we had a round of budget cuts hit our school?” Then I see Braylon Mullins end Duke’s hopes with a dagger from deep and decide “never mind, it might be worth it.”
As for other highlights of the year? Watching the women’s hockey team win the Big East Championship in Toscano was awesome, even if the game went to triple overtime and I missed dinner at South. The Formula SAE unveiling was sick — seeing a car do burnouts for a minute straight is an otherworldly experience.
Jaylyn Davis, she/her/hers, Staff Writer, iue25001@uconn.edu
There are many thrilling memories from this year, but nothing beats Braylon Mullins making that outstanding three-pointer at the end of the Elite Eight game. While it’s unfortunate the University of Connecticut didn’t beat the University of Michigan in the championship game, we wouldn’t have reached the game at all if not for Mullins. I remember screaming with joy when he made that three-pointer. It was as if some miracle had happened. And I’m glad I got to see that shot unfold because who knows if exhilarating moments like that will happen again?
There were some campus events that I really enjoyed. One of them was International Night, an Honors event I helped set up. This was one of the first diversity events I’ve attended, and it was amazing to see all the diverse cultural dance groups perform on stage. I also loved the various international food the event served.
I also enjoyed Week of Welcome. While it was a little hectic due to the many activities that happened in the week, it was exciting to explore UConn and learn about the opportunities that it offered to students who were about to begin their college journey.
Logan De la Rosa, he/him/his, Campus Correspondent, logan.de_la_rosa@uconn.edu
For my favorite moment of the year, I have to go with Halloween. I decided to spend the holiday with my older brother, who’s an experienced RA in North Campus. From my perspective, the night felt like an episode of “Cops,” with me following him and the other RAs as they did their rounds and made sure that there was no collateral damage.
It certainly was a… memorable evening.
For the sake of keeping this paper PG, I won’t describe what happened in detail, but know that I bore witness to tomfoolery, shenanigans and buffoonery the likes of which I never before thought possible. Overall, I think my brother hit the nail on the head when he summarized that fateful night as being “a mixture of the Purge and a Diddy party.”