Many Hartford-area business leaders likely stayed up late Monday night to watch the UConn men’s basketball team earn its sixth national championship, including its second in two years.
They should probably expect an early wake-up call on Tuesday from boosters looking for financial and other support for a victory parade in Hartford.
The UConn men’s team Monday night completed a dominant 37-3 season with a 75-60 victory over Purdue to win the 2024 NCAA Division I national championship. It’s the second national championship in two years, and the men’s team’s sixth national championship overall.
UConn is now among the winningest college basketball programs of all-time, moving ahead of Duke, which has five national titles. Only UCLA (11) and Kentucky (eight) have more national championships. North Carolina also has six national titles.
The UConn women’s basketball team, which lost in this year’s Final Four to Iowa, has won a record 11 NCAA championships.
Now, the city of Hartford will wait for news about a victory parade, which should provide a boost to downtown restaurants and other merchants.
An estimated 45,000 people descended on downtown Hartford last April to attend the victory parade after the UConn men’s team won its fifth national championship.
The event was produced by the Hartford Business Improvement District, in collaboration with the state, city of Hartford, and civic and business organizations.
The parade last year was funded by private dollars only, with the business community donating over $75,000 in just a few days to support it.
There was no word early Tuesday morning about when, or if, a victory parade will take place. More news will likely surface later today. Check back to hartfordbusiness.com for updates.
Article written by Greg Bordonara
Article published in the Hartford Business Journal| April 9, 2024
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