... and now 2009. Photo Vito J. Leo ----------
Gov. M. Jodi Rell announced today that the State of Connecticut and the City of Hartford will host a parade on Sunday, April 19 at 3 p.m., to congratulate and honor the University of Connecticut women’s basketball team for winning the 2009 NCAA Division I Basketball Championship.
The parade will take place near the Bushnell Park, Main Street and Capitol Avenue area of the city. It will begin and end at the State Capitol building.
A rally will take place on the north steps of the State Capitol immediately following the parade.
“The UConn women’s basketball team has established a long tradition of success when it comes to winning BIG EAST championships and NCAA national basketball championships. In Connecticut, Husky fans want to continue the state’s wonderful tradition of giving these young women and coaches the recognition and admiration they truly deserve,” said Gov. Rell.
“A parade in downtown Hartford is just one way to do just that – not only for the players, the coaches and the university, but for the thousands of women’s basketball fans of all ages who helped cheer them on to a perfect 39-0 season and a sixth NCAA Championship,” she said. ”Frankly, the people of Connecticut needed some good news at this time and the undefeated women’s team was it. Let’s return the favor by lining the parade route and showing them how much they really mean to us.”
The parade is being made possible through generous donations from the City of Hartford, State of Connecticut and a variety of civic organizations and area businesses. (For parade sponsorship opportunities, contact Michael Zaleski at the Hartford Business Improvement District at (860) 728-2274.)
Additional parade details, including information about the parade route, traffic, parking, order of participants and more will be announced as they become available.
Gov. Rell previously declared April 3-5 as “Husky Blue & White Weekend” in Connecticut. She also declared Wednesday, April 9 as “UConn Husky Women’s Basketball Team Day” in Connecticut, and welcomed the team home when they arrived at Bradley International Airport on Wednesday.
The UConn women’s basketball team won its sixth NCAA Championship on April 7 by beating the Louisville Cardinals in St. Louis.
They finished the season undefeated and were the regular season champions of the BIG EAST and the winners of the conference tournament championship.
Posted April 13, 2009
Recent Comments