[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 43 (Thursday, April 6, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E535]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING COACH GENO AURIEMMA UPON HIS SELECTION TO THE NAISMITH 
                    MEMORIAL BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ROB SIMMONS

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 5, 2006

  Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor to recognize a man who 
has long been one of Connecticut's, and America's, great sports 
treasures.
  For 21 seasons Geno Auriemma has coached the University of 
Connecticut's Lady Huskies Basketball team. During that time he has led 
the Huskies to 5 national championships. His teams have compiled an 
incredible record of 589 wins with only 116 losses. In his tenure as 
head coach the team has gone to the Final Four eight times and achieved 
two perfect seasons--that is an NCAA record for consecutive wins. He is 
the only coach to take a team to 5 straight Final Fours. For the 2002-
03 season Coach Auriemma was named the Big East Coach of the Year as 
well as the United States Basketball Writer's Association Women's 
Basketball Coach of the Year; he was also named Coach of the Year by 
the Associated Press.
  His leadership, his personal integrity and his deep commitment to his 
players, both on and off the court, has now earned him the ultimate 
recognition that his sport can bestow. This year Coach Geno Auriemma 
will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 
Springfield, Massachusetts. He is a first-time candidate, which makes 
this honor all the more a special.
  The personal story of Coach Auriemma is inspirational. It is truly an 
American story. Born in Naples, Italy, his family was poor. At the age 
of 7 Geno arrived in this country unable to speak English. But he grew 
up to achieve the American Dream.
  His rise from poor Italian immigrant to one of the most successful 
coaches in college history stands as an example of what happens when 
hard work coupled with an indomitable spirit meets opportunity.
  In 1985, while assistant coach at Virginia, Coach Auriemma was 
offered the head coach position with the University of Connecticut Lady 
Huskies. He had long desired such an opportunity. Now, at that time 
UConn's Lady Huskies had no great tradition of winning and no 
significant fan base. In their 11 year history, the Lady Huskies had 
compiled only 1 winning season. But the coach had a vision and he took 
the job. He set goals for himself and for his team and within a few 
years the Lady Huskies were a rising force.
  Through hard work, a profound understanding of his sport and the 
ability to motivate his players in such a way that they draw the best 
that is within them, Coach Auriemma has transformed the Lady Huskies 
into a force to be reckoned with on the court. UConn fans across 
Connecticut and the United States look forward every year to cheering 
on the Huskies and they know they're going to see a top team that is 
prepared and ready for Showtime.
  But the real lesson to be learned from the Huskies is that winning 
does not begin on the court. Winning begins in the preparation, both 
mental and physical. That is a lesson all great coaches teach their 
players and it is a lesson all great athletes understand. And it is 
something that all winners throughout our society know. To prepare for 
a game or a test, to get ready for a challenge or a certain moment--
that is what winning is about.
  For more than 20 seasons Coach Auriemma has been a winner and he has 
communicated what it takes to achieve to the athletes that have gone 
through his program. The fact that those players have all gone on to 
attain success long after they left UConn is a testament to their 
mentor--Coach Geno Auriemma.
  Congratulations, coach, and thanks for 21 wonderful seasons. We look 
forward to the next 21.

                          ____________________