Saturday will be one of Geno Auriemma’s favorite days of the season for two reasons, none of which really have anything to do with playing basketball.
He gets to wear a really nice, expensive tie to the Georgetown game and then will take it off after it’s over and auction it to benefit the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.
Its wear pink day at Gampel tomorrow (just as it will be Monday at Oklahoma) – to raise cancer awareness – and there is nothing Auriemma has gotten more satisfaction from over his career than the chartiable acts he’s been able to do for cancer research and treatment.
And then at halftime, five of his players will be recognized, among 300 or so UConn athletes, for academic achievement – attaining at least a 3.0 GPA either in the spring of 2011 or fall of 2012.
Congratulations to Heather Buck, Stefanie Dolson, Caroline Doty, Kelly Faris and Kiah Stokes.
“I take a lot of pride in that, especially in this day and age when everyone is talking about that kind of stuff,” Auriemma said. “I think it’s important to recognize there are a number of kids, all over the country, that do a great job trying to balance playing sports with academics.
“We take great pride in it here. In fact, we set up competitions. Our players are split into three groups. The [assistant] coaches draft them and as we go through the year, they are constantly checking on each other’s GPAs. At the end of the semester the winners get this, the losers get that.
“I don’t have a team. No one would want to be on my team. All of my assistants were good students. If I told my players what I did in college, none of them would win any prizes.
Auriemma doesn’t believe being a good student translates into being a good player, although in Maya Moore [an academic All-American and four-time athletic All-American] he had one of the best ever.
“I think if you are a hard worker in school, there’s a good chance you will be a hard worker on the court,” Auriemma said. “I don’t know that getting a 4.0 makes you a good basketball player, although it can happen. It’s more about working hard, being conscientious and taking pride in your school work.
“Being a good basketball player has nothing to do with being a good student. Being a good student has nothing to do with being a good basketball player. But the kids that bust their butts in school are the ones you want on your basketball team.”
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9 Responses to The Grades Are In: UConn Women Excel
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This guy has had it so right for so long it’s incredable. He not only is the best coach basketball has ever seen in the college ranks (mens / womens)he stresses the importance of education. He is to be admires as a great contributer to the college athletes that opt for UCONN as their choice to attend the university.
Geno, you usually pickup not only excellent players but typically great students. Congratulations to all those who have excelled academically on the UConn womens team.
Geno, you were young in college. I too was young, but 4 years in the military and I came out a student, top of my class all the time–but it helped to have a wife that helped me.
What else can one say about Geno and the program that he has run now for over 25 years. Not only is there excellence on the basketball court, (7 NCAA champions) numerous All-Americans, and players who went on to have stellar professional careers. But many of the women have proven to excel in the classroom as well. What the UConn women have accomplished both on the court and with the books makes me proud to say that I am a UConn alumnus!
Amen !!
Be sure to note that this year’s bunch of scholars is not fluke. UConn women’s basketball teams have CONSISTENTLY been successful in the classroom as well as on the court, year-after-year!!
Uconn players are not just good basketball players, they are very decent people. No one has ever behaved like Cappie Pondexter, for instance. That’s why they have fans all over the country.
GREAT JOB LADIES! You ALWAYS make us proud! #huskynation
I think that since I have never heard a uconn women basketball alum say a bad thing about Geno says everything about his character and the program he runs at uconn. Connecticut resident sports fans shpould be so appreciative and proud about that.
Great work ladies. Your deidication to working hard in the classroom and hard work on the basketball court will pay great dividends in the future!!!!!!