Basketball Hall of Fame induction announcements

Geno Auriemma Becomes NCAA's Winningest Coach with 1,217th Win in UConn's 85-41 Victory

Nov 21, 2024, 01:51 AM

UConn women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma became the winningest coach in NCAA basketball history on Wednesday night, earning his 1,217th victory as the No. 2 Huskies defeated Fairleigh Dickinson 85-41. Auriemma surpassed Stanford's Tara VanDerveer on the all-time wins list. The game was marked by the return of Azzi Fudd and the presence of 63 alumni, celebrating 40 years of Auriemma's tenure alongside associate head coach Chris Dailey. Former UConn legends Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, and Maya Moore attended the game to honor the milestone. Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont presented Auriemma with a commemorative street sign, and the team presented him with a jersey numbered 1,217. In an unexpected tribute, a live goat was brought onto the court to symbolize Auriemma's status as the 'Greatest of All Time.' Auriemma expressed surprise, stating, 'Jesus Christ, the goat. Can you imagine that? A real goat.' Auriemma has spent four decades at UConn, building the program into a powerhouse with 11 NCAA titles, 23 Final Four appearances, and 28 conference regular-season titles. Chris Dailey, his long-time assistant, praised Auriemma's willingness to share the limelight, saying, 'I don't know of any other head coach that would be as willing to share the limelight as he is.'