University of Connecticut Athletics
Bembry Embracing New Culture At UConn
8/1/2022 12:10:00 PM | Football
Aug. 1, 2022
STORRS – When Marquez Bembry transferred from the University of Kentucky to the University of Connecticut, it was clear to him that he was coming to an environment that would help him really appreciate the sport of football.
"Coming out here, it's a brotherhood," said Bembry, a graduate student. "I just try to embrace everything one day at a time and come out here with my hard hat on, ready to work."
However, it was more than a simple change of environment for the veteran linebacker. From seeing the connection with past alumni at the program's alumni barbeque, to the dedication of his teammates to working on their craft every day, the commitment of the program to growing its athletes became evident to him quickly.
Bembry, who had nine tackles for Kentucky in 2021, is sure to be a dangerous weapon on UConn coach Jim Mora's defense, an area of the team that has seen numerous talented players come to the team. Bembry says he's always had a chip on his shoulder to compete. In just Day Three of fall camp, he says that he's already felt the love and encouragement from his teammates to keep giving it his all on the field.
"I love my teammates," Bembry said. "I'm a very caring guy. I embrace the young guys and try to get them up to the speed of the level that the coaches want them to be at, but also to the level of speed where I want to be at."
That love and encouragement that Bembry has received and reciprocated as a transfer to UConn is part of a new culture that's come to Storrs. It's a football culture that pushes players to achieve their personal goals through an emphasis on hard work, a dedication to the brotherhood, and mentorship .
"Everybody has an opportunity to play," Bembry said. "It's all about how you practice, how you approach (football), and that's the main thing. You come out here and give it everything you got. Coaches see it. Coaches notice."
As a veteran player on the Huskies, he's been able to embrace the opportunity to help his teammates get better every day. Bembry has taken pride with the ability to leave an impact on the program.
"That's why I'm so hard on the younger guys," he said. "We're trying to build a foundation through them. I don't want anything to be easy on them. I want everything to be hard."
