The Uconn Basketball Boneyard is a tradition at the University of Connecticut that marks the end of both the men’s and women’s basketball seasons. While not a traditional institution, it has become a beloved tradition that takes place every year on March 18th.
You might know about the NCAA Basketball Tournament as a college sports fan. For those who do not know what I mean by that, it is an event where there is one game played every week for over 100 days. And during that game, each team plays at least once against another team from the same conference. The winner of the game gets two more games, and the loser gets one more game to determine who will be playing in the National Championship.
What is the Uconn Basketball Boneyard?
The Uconn Basketball Boneyard is a unique basketball tradition at UConn. The Boneyard is located near the Pomfret Center and is used to store old basketballs and other athletic equipment. The Boneyard has been around since the 1970s and has become a popular place for fans to watch games. UConn fans often gather in the Boneyard to celebrate significant victories or mourn losses.
The Boneyard is also where alums and students can share their love of basketball. UConn fans often bring new basketballs to the Boneyard to give to other fans and help clean up the area. The Boneyard is a special place at UConn; it is always fun to watch games.
History of the Uconn Basketball Boneyard
The Uconn Basketball Boneyard is a unique basketball tradition at the University of Connecticut. The Boneyard is a multi-purpose court located behind the UConn men’s and women’s basketball dressing rooms that have been used for practice and gameplay since the early 1990s.
The Boneyard was first used as a practice court by then-UConn Associate Head Coach Mel Daniels in the early 1990s. Daniels wanted to create a separate space from the main gymnasium so that he could work with his players without distractions. The Boneyard quickly became popular among UConn players and has continued to be used as a practice court ever since.
The Boneyard has also been used for games over the years. In 1995, UConn hosted a charity game there against Sacred Heart. More recently, it has been used for games against lower-level teams in the Big East Conference or NCAA Division I.
The Boneyard is an integral part of UConn’s basketball history and will continue to be used as a practice and game court.
Where is the Boneyard Located?
The UConn basketball boneyard is located east of the Storrs campus. The Boneyard began as a practice area for the men’s and women’s basketball teams in the early 1970s.
The Boneyard contains more than 700 basketballs, nearly 400 shoes, and more than 100 trophies. The items are arranged chronologically from when they were won or donated by UConn athletes.
The Boneyard is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Kids under 12 are free, and visitors can buy food at the concession stand.
How Does a Person Get In?
UConn Basketball Boneyard is a unique basketball tradition at the school. To get into the Boneyard, you have to have either a UConn basketball jersey or a ball from one of the Huskies’ final games played in the Boneyard. The tradition started in 1997 when then-head coach Jim Calhoun decided to retire all of his players’ jerseys and balls from their final game against Miami (FL). The jerseys and balls were placed in the Boneyard as part of their retirement ceremony.
The new basketball boneyard at Storrs fieldhouse
The Storrs Fieldhouse basketball boneyard is one of UConn’s unique traditions. The Boneyard is located in the basement of the Storrs Fieldhouse and is home to dozens of retired and new basketballs and other memorabilia from UConn’s basketball history.
The basketball boneyard was first established in 1972 when head coach Jim Calhoun created a storage area for the team’s new balls. The tradition continued under subsequent coaches, with Scott Skiles establishing the Boneyard as part of his coaching staff in 1994.
The Boneyard has become an essential part of UConn culture and is a popular tourist destination. Fans can visit the area to see old jerseys and collectibles and even play some hoops on the abandoned balls.
How Is the Basketball Relocated?
In college basketball, there are a few sacred things. One of these is the homecourt advantage. No matter where a team plays, it wants to play its best in front of its home fans. This is especially true for UConn, which has one of the rabid fan bases in all of college basketball.
One tradition that UConn has developed over the years is what they call the “Boneyard.” After every game, the team collects all the basketballs it has used and throws them into a pile in the corner of its locker room. The Boneyard gets more significant and prominent at the end of each season as new balls are added.
The explanation for this tradition goes back to when UConn struggled early in its history. The players would come into each game angry and frustrated because they knew they had to play their best if they wanted to win. Because they were so focused on how badly they wanted to win, they didn’t care about how many shots they took or how much ball handling was required. As a result, opponents could keep scoring and putting them behind by large margins throughout the game.
One night during a rough game against Rhode Island, coach Jim Calhoun decided enough was enough. He called his team into his office after the game and told them that from then on, every single shot that they took would be worth more than any.
best UConn basketball players
UConn basketball players have a unique tradition of dumping buckets on the Boneyard. The Boneyard is a small area in the student section of Gumpel Pavilion that is used for storage. In the past, UConn players have kicked balls over the fence into the Boneyard and then retrieved them to score. This tradition has been carried over from previous coaching staff and has become a part of UConn’s basketball culture.
The Boneyard has become an essential part of UConn basketball lore. Players have enjoyed kicking balls over the fence into the area and retrieving them for points. The tradition started with former head coach Jim Calhoun, who encouraged his players to use the Boneyard as a place to practice their shooting skills. Current head coach Kevin Ollie has continued the tradition, which is now an essential part of UConn basketball culture.
The Boneyard is a fun place to watch UConn play because it is full of energy. The student section fans love playing with the players by retrieving balls thrown into the area by teammates. This atmosphere helps create excitement during games, which can be challenging when facing off against top opponents like Duke or Kentucky.
Conclusion
At Uconn, basketball is more than a sport; it’s a way of life. From the moment you step on campus and join one of the world’s oldest collegiate athletic programs, you’re part of something special. As a student at UConn, you become part of the Husky family, and from that bond comes one of the unique basketball traditions in all college sports: The Boneyard.
The Boneyard is, simply put, an area located just outside the Dixon Center that is home to nearly every piece of old UConn equipment imaginable. From goalposts to rafters to court seats from decades past, the Boneyard is a place where students can go to reminisce about their favorite memories from years gone by or get inspired for future seasons.
Whether you’re a longtime fan who has been going to games since your days as an undergrad or someone who just discovered UConn basketball this year, I encourage you to check out the Boneyard and see all the hype. You won’t be disappointed!
