University of Connecticut Athletics
UConn WR Marion: Fan Support Essential
8/3/2022 9:10:00 AM | Football
Aug. 3, 2022
STORRS – Coming into his first year at the University of Connecticut, Keelan Marion was a fresh face on a UConn team full of young talent, looking to work hard and break into a talented roster.
Hundreds of miles away from his home state of Georgia, the young Husky receiver was now in a new environment in Storrs. Marion, who stepped into a huge role with the team as a starter last season, had to make a quick and difficult transition.
"Being far away from home, it showed me how to grow up," Marion said. "It showed me how to become a man and just take what I learned from my parents and bring it here."
There was more help available, however, as Marion tried to get accustomed to the huge change in culture in Year One. Along with the help of the team and the work that Marion himself put in, the now-sophomore said that it was great to see the massive fan support for the team.
"It's great to just see the fans hollering, jumping, and excited to see us walk into Rentschler Field," Marion said. "It's a great atmosphere. It's going to be even greater coming into next season."
Marion remained determined through the season and when the dust settled, it was a phenomenal start to his early career. He finished with a team-leading 474 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns in 12 starts for the Huskies in 2021, becoming a dangerous receiving option and one of the brightest young talents on the Huskies. With plenty of remarkable plays already in the blue and white, he's looking to making many more impressive highlights in front of a large crowd at Rentschler Field this season.
"The work just speaks for itself," Marion said. "We're all going to continue to go hard."
Marion is looking for the same fan support that made him feel welcomed as a freshman coming to a new environment. It's important not only for Marion, but also for the entire team.
"They are going to see a show from this team," he said, 'not just me, this whole team."
