Jasper Howard

Connecticut has come a long way since joining what was called Division I-A in 2000 and the Big East in 2004. The Huskies have won at least eight games in each of the past three seasons and capped the past two seasons with bowl wins. After several close calls in 2009, Connecticut hopes 2010 is a chance to reach another benchmark with perhaps the best team Randy Edsall has had in Storrs.  

The college football world will find out very quickly how far Rich Rodriguez and the Michigan Wolverines have come.  

No team in college football had a more tumultuous 2009 than UConn.  

The fates of Iowa and Maryland couldn't have been more different in 2009. The Hawkeyes won 11 games and landed in the Orange Bowl. The Terrapins were 2-10, with one of the wins over FCS member James Madison in overtime, at home . In 2008, though, both played numerous close games.  

10. Women's track and field: Penn Relays, April 23, 2010, Philadelphia, Pa. The women's track and field team doesn't get a lot of love, but it should; it's been ranked No. 1 in the Northeast for most of the season and in the teens nationally. On the first day of the Penn Relays on April 23; UConn's 4x100 meter relay time shattered a 10-year-old Penn Relays record and won the ECAC Championship with a time of 44.94 seconds.  

The last time UConn football coach Randy Edsall spoke at a luncheon meeting of the Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce was in 2003. Seven years ago, Edsall remembered talking about UConn's first Division-IA win, the fact that the Huskies had an All-American punter and he boasted that UConn had sent a player to the National Football League. A lot has changed for the Huskies since and the ears were more tuned to what Edsall had to say on Wednesday afternoon at the Harvest Restaurant.

I think the respect has grown especially after UConn beat Notre Dame and South Carolina this past year, the facility is unbelievable, and what they’ve done for the high school coaches in the state with their football clinics and different camps. The respect has really been building   -Chad Neal

 

The work of the House of Representatives and Senate was briefly put on hold Thursday as state politicians, and later a small gathering of fans, took time to salute UConn 's three most prominent athletic teams. Members of the men's and women's basketball teams and the football team made their annual visit to the Capitol for Husky Day. Each team met with Gov. M. Jodi Rell and made appearances in the Senate Chamber and the Hall of the House, then mingled with fans during a reception at the Hall of Flags.

Everyone is so supportive, from the fans to the people who make things happen in our state. It means a lot to be able to provide some excitement for people. It makes us feel good.   -Maya Moore