STORRS, CT – Geno Auriemma, the head coach of the UConn basketball team, has achieved a remarkable milestone in his coaching career by becoming the winningest head coach in the history of men’s and women’s Division I basketball. With his 1,217th career win on Wednesday night against Fairleigh Dickinson, Auriemma surpassed longtime Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer to claim the top spot in college basketball history.

The victory was a cause for celebration, as Auriemma has been a dominant force in women’s basketball since taking over the UConn program in 1985. Under his leadership, the Huskies have made 23 Final Four appearances and secured 11 national championships. Auriemma’s legacy is further solidified by the fact that his team reached the Final Four an impressive 14 consecutive times and won four consecutive national titles from 2013 to 2016.

Auriemma’s accomplishment is a testament to his enduring success and the impact he has had on the sport of women’s basketball. His induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006 only adds to his remarkable career achievements. The support and admiration of former players and fans were evident during the historic game, with a ceremony held in his honor after the win.

In addition to Auriemma’s milestone, star player Azzi Fudd made her return to the court after recovering from a knee injury that sidelined her for most of the previous season. Fudd, a highly touted recruit, showed resilience in bouncing back from the setback and contributed to UConn’s victory with her presence on the court.

Looking ahead, the Huskies face a challenging lineup of opponents in the coming weeks, including matchups against ranked teams like Louisville, Notre Dame, Iowa State, and USC. With key players like Fudd and Paige Bueckers back in action, UConn is poised to continue its winning ways and make a strong push for postseason success under Auriemma’s leadership.