HARTFORD, Conn — Thousands of fans were in downtown Hartford on Saturday as the UConn Huskies men’s basketball team celebrates their NCAA win with a parade through downtown Hartford.
The party started Monday night when the team clinched back-to-back national titles with a 75-60 victory over Purdue. On Saturday, UConn fans took to the streets of Hartford to revel in the rare accomplishment. No Division I men's college basketball team had won consecutive national titles since Florida in 2006 and 2007.
During the victory parade and rally, numerous UConn players took to the podium to speak. They were led by their head coach, Dan Hurley, who pumped up the crowd by yelling "back-to-back!" as the crowd roared.
"Everywhere we went this year, every arena we went into – on the road, MSG, Brooklyn, Boston to Phoenix – we said the same thing every time we walked into the arena. We always said, ‘The champs are here.’ The champs are here today in Hartford with the best fans in the world," Hurley said.
Hurley called Storrs, Conn. the "Basketball Capital of the World" and said that he was joined at the podium by some of the greatest players ever to wear the UConn uniform.
"Next year, we go for the three-peat. Let's go!" Hurley exclaimed.
The first UConn player to take to the microphone was 7-foot-2 sophomore center Donovan Clingan, who announced yesterday that he will forgo his final two seasons of eligibility to enter the 2024 NBA Draft, where he is expected to be a top pick. Clingan, a two-time national champion, said on behalf of the team, he wants to thank everyone for their support.
"You guys gave us a lot of support this year," Clingan said. "You guys made us want to go out and win another one. I appreciate you guys. You guys have been the best fans to me for the past two years. I’ll cherish those moments for the rest of my life. I’ll be a Husky for life. Love you guys!”
Next to speak was redshirt sophomore forward Alex Karaban, who is also a two-time national champion. He thanked UConn fans for everything they contributed over the past two seasons.
"We wouldn’t be here without you guys and your support. You guys are the best fans in the country, so thank you; enjoy back-to-back, and thank you guys for everything," Karaban said.
Following Karaban was fifth-year guard Cam Spencer, who spent his final season of collegiate basketball playing for the Huskies. Spencer, a First-Team All-Big East selection, thanked the fans for their support all season.
"We wouldn’t have been able to accomplish this without you guys," Spencer said. "You know, we feel like we have the best fans in the country. And I was only here for a year, but I’ll be a Husky for life. Thank you for everything.”
Last to speak was the most decorated Husky on the national championship team, Tristen Newton, who like Karaban and Clingan was a driving force behind the back-to-back championships. After being named First-Team All-Big East, Newton became an AP First-Team All-American. The accolades didn't end there.
Newton was later named the recipient of the Bob Cousy Award as the best point guard in Division I college basketball this season. He capped his achievements in a UConn uniform by being named Most Outstanding Player of the 2024 Final Four, and his name was added to the Huskies of Honor in Gampel Pavilion when the team returned to Storrs from Arizona this week.
“I just want to come up here and say thank you for all the support you guys have given me the past two years you’ve been supporting the team. Without you guys, back-to-back wouldn’t have been possible. Thank you for everything," Newton said.
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Those who came out to witness the parade in person had to navigate several traffic obstacles.
The road closures began around 9 a.m. and continued through around noon, although some roads near the XL Center were shut down through 3 p.m. to accommodate another event.
- Asylum and Pearl was closed from Main to Ann Uccello
- All of Jewel and Trinity Streets was closed
- Trumbull Street was closed from Pearl to Church from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., as there was also a home and garden show happening at the event center at the same time.
Officials said it cost about $85,000 to put on this event, as they have to make sure bathrooms, a massive stage, a sound system, walkie-talkies, and more were all in place and ready to go.
Hartford police were also asking people to carpool and use public transportation to the city to lessen the number of people needing to navigate closures and find parking.
For those of you who did not make it downtown, there are other ways to watch the festivities. The parade in its entirety can be viewed on FOX61's YouTube page.
Doug Stewart is a Senior Digital Content Producer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dstewart@fox61.com.
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