The 2024 National Men’s College Basketball Champion University of Connecticut Huskies visited the state Capitol Wednesday as part of their championship celebration.
Head Coach Dan Hurley, whose team is celebrating its second consecutive NCAA championship, said to members of the House that he planned to be back for a third time next year.
The team won its second of back-to-back titles in Phoenix last week, completing the season of what Hurley said was “one of the best teams of the last 25-30 years.”
Several legislators proudly claimed the team as their own, with Rep. Jason Doucette, D-Manchester, saying he was proud to have Hurley as a constituent in his district.
House Majority Leader Jason Rojas threw some cold water on Doucette’s boasts, asking him:
“But does he vote for you?”
Rep. Greg Haddad, D-Mansfield, made sure to clarify that the basketball capital of the world is a little further north.
“There is only one Storrs,” he said.
Hurley walked the line between the two major parties in the chamber.
“My popularity is pretty high right now, so I’m not gonna take sides between you people,” Hurley quipped.
The team also appeared in the Senate before making its way to the lower chamber.
