Geno Auriemma hasn’t ever given any indication that he’s thinking about retiring any time soon. But the legendary UConn coach, who is signed through 2029, is 71. He might be thriving his his coaching twilight, but he’s in that twilight either way.
So it felt well-deserved that Auriemma got at least one more title in a much-improved women’s basketball landscape that he helped create.
Auriemma should go down as one of the most important coaches of all time. UConn’s success isn’t solely responsible for the rise of women’s basketball over the past 40 years but it is one of the pillars — along with Tennessee and Stanford — that the game has been built upon.
But Auriemma’s 12 titles over the past 30 seasons helped change the sport. UConn’s success showed that a successfully run women’s basketball could be incredibly valuable to an athletic department and could attract a loyal fan base.
The Huskies’ dominance forced other schools to massively increase their investment and improve their facilities for women’s basketball if they wanted to compete.
And because they did, the sport got better.
It wasn’t just in college either. Former UConn stars helped elevate the WNBA and Olympic women’s basketball. Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird, Breanna Stewart, Maya Moore, Rebecca Lobo, Tina Charles and Swin Cash all helped shape the sport after their careers in Storrs.
The Caitlin Clark Effect had a chance to happen because of the UConn effect that came before it.
When UConn has its championship parade and celebration on Sunday in Hartford, fans should cherish the moment. Auriemma might not be at the finish line, but he can certainly see it from here. And nobody will ever be that good again.
Real Jeopardy! Clue
Sports clues from actual editions of America’s favorite quiz show. As always, mind the date:
CATEGORY: Sports – $1000 – March 12, 1986
George Murray won this division of the 1985 Boston Marathon in 1 hour 45 minutes & 34 seconds
— Answer below
Barnstorming Break
On a recent episode of “The PosCast,” the podcast featuring sportswriting great Joe Posnanski and Michael Schur, the creative force behind “Parks and Rec,” “Brooklyn 99″ and “A Man on the Inside,” the two rabid baseball fans came up with a terrific way to grow the game.
They proposed for two weeks in July that baseball creates a barnstorming break instead of the All-Star game. Each MLB team would play one two-game series in places that don’t have Major League Baseball.
Instead of sending Dodgers and Cubs to Japan for a regular season series in the middle of Spring Training, those games would be moved to the middle of the season. There should be at least one series in Japan every year that moves around to that nation’s different stadiums.
There could be at least one game in Europe and other international locales.
The Rickwood Game, could become the annual Rickwood Series celebrating the Negro Leagues. Williamsport and the Field of Dreams in Iowa could each host a series too.
The rest would be stateside games in places that don’t have Major League Baseball. If they can play Major League Baseball in a British soccer stadium, they can make it happen in a college football stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.
These would be special games in a sport where regular season games rarely feel special anymore.
There are obviously obstacles to this plan. But at a time when baseball’s national relevance is fading a little, this or something like it, helps to grow the game.
Maybe something like this happens ever other year or even every four, with the All-Star game remaining in the other years.
The Top 5
Top 5 Longest Stanley Cup Droughts
5 – New York Islanders, 40
4 – Flyers, 48
3 – Canucks, 53
2 – Sabres – 53
1 – Maple Leafs, 56 seasons
Today in Boston Sports History
Former Red Sox player and the team’s first African American player, Pumpsie Green, watches as Sharon Robinson,throws out the ceremonial first pitch at Fenway Park on April 11, 1997. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)Associated Press
April 11, 1997
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of baseball’s integration, Jackie Robinson’s Sharon Robinson and and Pumpsie Green each threw out the first pitch at Fenway Park.
Real Jeopardy! Question:
What is the Wheelchair Division?
Headline Crystal Ball:
Monday:
Predicting Scottie Scheffler adds another Green Jacket to his closet.Fake Headline INC
Scheffler is going to add his name to the legends of Augusta National.
Last week: “Houston, We have a Title” – So close.
Finally…
If you need me, I’ll be binging “Shrinking.”
