In a poll that appeared in the Nov. 30 issue of ESPN The Magazine, Geno Auriemma was tabbed as the “Last Coach You’d Want To Play for.’’ According to the snippet only 24 players actually answered the question, with Auriemma garnering eight votes and Tennessee’s Pat Summitt receiving four.
However, I know for certain that there are 11 players this season and hundreds over Auriemma’s 25-year, Hall of Fame tenure who would emphatically beg to differ. Ordinary athletes simply cannot play for him. He is a perfectionist. It takes elite players who are unselfish and buy into his team-first mantra.
And the results are extraordinary – 699 wins, six national championships, 10 trips to the Final Four, 17 Big East regular season championships and 15 conference tournament championships. Not to mention the things he’s done for his players over the years that often go unnoticed.
On this Thanksgiving Day, Auriemma is at it again. He will host a number of the Huskies who are not going home or who do not have relatives or friends in the area at his home for a feast.
“To you guys (the media), it looks like he doesn’t like us at all,’’ senior Kaili McLaren said. “But we’re over his house like once a month. He enjoys having us. Him and Mrs. A and the family … They’re so nice and they’re so hospitable you kind of always want to go over there.’’
“It just speaks to the family atmosphere that we have around here and the fact that he looks at us as his daughters,’’ All-American Maya Moore said. “We don’t think that’s unusual. That’s how it is. You just know it coming in here, just being a part of the program. (Freshman) Kelly (Faris) will continue to see that as she grows in this program. He’s another father to us. He’ll do anything for us.’’
The relationship that he has with his players is one that Auriemma has come to truly appreciate. He is a father-figure for the Huskies while they are away from home. And he wouldn’t have it any other way, especially during the holidays.
“The more I see what goes on with Division I men and women, whatever, I probably appreciate it more that you can do that, that players feel comfortable enough that they’ll want to spend the holiday at your house,’’ Auriemma said. “And in some cases if their mom is up here and they want to come over … Yeah, I’d be disappointed in some ways if I couldn’t do that. I don’t like them being here as it is on Thanksgiving Day. So the fact that they’re here … I just leave it up to them. If you want to come over, great. If you don’t that’s fine too. As long as I know you’ve got a place to go. That’s always my concern. Make sure you have a place to go. I just don’t want anybody being by themselves at this time of the year.’’
Happy Thanksgiving everybody!! Enjoy your day with your family and friends.
Rich
