University of Connecticut Athletics
Legislators Welcome 2023 National Champs To State Capitol
4/28/2023 10:25:00 AM | Men's Basketball
UConn Athletic Communications / April 28, 2023
HARTFORD – Connecticut's governor, lieutenant governor, and state legislators got their chance to celebrate UConn's 2023 NCAA National Championship up close and personally with the Huskies Thursday afternoon as Coach Dan Hurley and his team paid a visit to the State Capitol building.
The Huskies were greeted with applause and cheers throughout the building as they made their way to the offices of the state's highest officials and chambers of the state Senate and House. The "congratulations" and "thank-yous" flowed back and forth as the legislators told the Huskies how much their accomplishments meant to the state and the Huskies thanked them for their support of the university and UConn athletics.
"We wouldn't be able to be championship-level in basketball without the incredible support from you guys," Coach Hurley said as he spoke to the members of the Senate and the House in separate chambers.
The UConn players, coaches and staff members first visited the office of Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, then the office of Gov. Ned Lamont in informal meetings, then appeared in the chambers of the State Senate and the State House of Representatives, where they were introduced individually and Coach Hurley and team captain Andre Jackson Jr. spoke, as well as some of the legislators.
House Speaker Matt Ritter presented UConn with a state proclamation that cited UConn's "dominant March Madness performance and 2023 national championship victory."
Several members of the House spoke, including Rep. Gregory Haddad, who represents Mansfield and Storrs.
"Your run this year was remarkable," he said. "The way that you offered pride and joy to millions of fans in the state and the nation, the way that you represent the University of Connecticut and the entire state of Connecticut is really what we should congratulate you for. As student-athletes, you are the best example of what we can do when we support the University of Connecticut and support UConn athletics."
That was the recurring theme throughout the afternoon for the Huskies, who concluded their visit with an autograph and photo session in the Capitol's main lobby.
"This is important," Coach Hurley told the media on hand. "We need the support from these people as a university, as an athletic department, and as a program. So it's important to be here, to be honored, to be excited to come in. When you accomplish something, as hard as it is, that we accomplished, there's going to be great moments like this."
The honors for the Huskies are likely not quite finished as they will be throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at the New York Mets game on Monday, Coach Hurley will be honored with the annual Winged Foot Award at the New York Athletic Club on Tuesday, and dates are being finalized to throw out the first pitch at a Red Sox game, as well as a trip to the White House.
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