Governor Rell Sends Video Message

to UConn Basketball Teams

“We Are All Rooting for You”

Watch the Video

            Wearing a UConn Huskies sweatshirt, Governor M. Jodi Rell today sent a videotaped message to the University of Connecticut men’s and women’s basketball teams to let them know that state residents will be rooting them on to victory this weekend.  Both teams play this weekend in the men’s and women’s national semifinals of the Final Four for a chance to play for the 2009 NCAA National Basketball Championship. 

Governor Rell declared today through Sunday, April 5, as “UConn Huskies Blue & White Weekend.”  To celebrate UConn Huskies Blue & White Weekend, the Governor offered some ideas for fans to show their Husky Pride:

• Wear your favorite UConn gear (or anything you have that is blue and white)
• Pin a blue and white ribbon on your lapel or display a large ribbon on your home’s front door or mailbox
• Display a sign in the window or front yard
• Fly a UConn flag outside your home
• Go to your local florist to get a blue and white flower arrangement for your home
• Urge businesses – when and where appropriate – to allow their employees to wear blue and white

            The Governor’s office also asked area business leaders to participate in UConn Huskies Blue & White Weekend. The Aetna’s Cupola at their Farmington Avenue headquarters, Hartford 21 and the Travelers Tower will all display blue and white lights this weekend. In addition, banners will be displayed outside the Gold Building in Hartford and the State Office Building on Capitol Avenue.

            Governor Rell will extend Blue & White Weekend through Tuesday if either or both teams make it to the Championship Game.

            The UConn men, led by Hall of Fame Coach Jim Calhoun, play the Michigan State Spartans in Detroit on Saturday (6:07 p.m. on CBS) for the opportunity to play for their third NCAA National Championship title on Monday night. The undefeated UConn women, led by Hall of Fame Coach Geno Auriemma, play the Stanford Cardinal in St. Louis on Sunday (9:30 p.m. on ESPN) for a chance to play for their sixth NCAA National Championship title on Tuesday night.