University of Connecticut Athletics
We're Thankful For You
11/26/2024 3:00:00 PM | General
Dear UConn Fans,
With Thanksgiving just two days away, it is the perfect time to express our sincere gratitude to the many loyal supporters who make our successes possible and provide an exceptional college experience for nearly 600 UConn student-athletes.
The current academic year has been filled with high moments. Football is bowl eligible for the second time in three years and, with seven wins currently, has its first winning season in more than a decade. Field Hockey captured both the BIG EAST regular season and tournament championships. Four Men's Soccer student-athletes earned all-conference honors. Women's Soccer had an impressive postseason run, winning the BIG EAST tournament title and advancing to the NCAA tourney second round. Volleyball heads to the conference tournament this week with a 24-6 regular season mark. And Cross Country standout Chloe Thomas, who won the BIG EAST Championship, became an All-American with a 9th place finish at the NCAA Championships, the highest in school history. The winter sports season is now well underway, and our men's and women's Basketball and Ice Hockey teams are off to strong starts.
Further, during this special season celebrating 40 years of excellence for Geno Auriemma and Chris Dailey, we experienced a historic moment and lifetime memory last week, as Geno became college basketball's all-time winningest coach. Quite fitting that this record-setting milestone was achieved in the "Basketball Capital of the World."
While the Husky harvest remains bountiful, we must stay alert, like all successful organizations are, to rapidly-changing market conditions and focused on the steps necessary to help ensure that UConn Athletics continues to be a source of pride for donors, alumni and fans everywhere.
With the proposed House settlement resulting from multiple lawsuits against the NCAA and the power conferences, schools across the country, including UConn, are planning to revenue share with student-athletes starting in the 2025-26 academic year. The pending introduction of revenue sharing, combined with NIL opportunities, reflects the ongoing transformation in our industry to a more contemporary model which provides enhanced and direct financial benefits to student-athletes. In addition, existing per-sport scholarship limits will be eliminated in favor of defined roster caps for every team.
The results of these significant changes will alter the face of collegiate athletics over the next several years. While the effects of this metamorphosis are not yet clear, one thing is. The steadfast dedication of UConn Nation will be essential. Your active participation and continuing commitment to our mission will help us shape a bright future.
There is no denying the power of the UConn brand. It is unflappable and undeterred, because we won't settle for anything less than greatness. Together, we will redouble our expectations for success. We will be emboldened as a "symbol of might to the foe." Above all, we will stand tall amid the current winds of change to support our student-athletes, give them the tools to succeed, and provide them with an incredible and unforgettable college career in Storrs.
On behalf of everyone associated with UConn Athletics, from our family to yours, best wishes for a joyful Thanksgiving. Go Huskies!
Sincerely,
David Benedict
Director of Athletics
