Coach Geno Auriemma’s UConn women’s basketball presence is so immense and all-encompassing that sometimes it is difficult to imagine there was a program before his arrival in 1985.
In fact, what Auriemma has achieved at UConn has often been characterized as the transformation of the program from Ground Zero – literally nothing at all – into one of the most impressive dynasties in college sports history.
UConn Women’s Basketball
Meet the coach who led UConn women’s basketball through its first season: ‘Have to start somewhere’
Sandra Hamm, the first UConn women’s basketball coach, during her 2023 induction into the Connecticut Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.
Sandra Hamm, the first UConn women’s basketball coach, during her 2023 induction into the Connecticut Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.
Coach Geno Auriemma’s UConn women’s basketball presence is so immense and all-encompassing that sometimes it is difficult to imagine there was a program before his arrival in 1985.
Norwalk, CT veteran reflects on service in Vietnam War
In fact, what Auriemma has achieved at UConn has often been characterized as the transformation of the program from Ground Zero – literally nothing at all – into one of the most impressive dynasties in college sports history.
Although everything seems to begin and end with him and his faithful assistant Chris Dailey, there actually was women’s basketball at UConn for 11 years before they arrived.
The infancy of the program is largely ignored or easily forgotten because of the lack of success during its humble beginnings, but somebody had to have the courage to lay the first blocks of the foundation, even if they were on shaky ground.
That someone was Terryville native Sandra Hamm.
