Husky Fans Arrive in Detroit; Team Goes Through Final Preparations

December 26, 2004

The University of Connecticut football team is in full-out pregame mode right now. The team held its standard Friday pregame walk-through on Sunday morning. After catching part of the Detroit Lions game vs. the Chicago Bears, the team will be sequestered at the Hyatt Regency this evening for its standard night before the game procedure of meetings, meals and such. Meanwhile, about 750 UConn fans and alumni gathered at the Hyatt during the afternoon for a celebration sponsored by the UConn Alumni Association.

Left, With the Detroit Lions using Ford Field for a game against the Chicago Bears, UConn held its walk-through at the Lions new indoor practice facility in Allen Park...Right, As the game approaches, more Husky dignitaries are arriving in the Motor City. Former UConn head coach John Toner took in practice this morning with his grandson, who posed here with current UConn head coach Randy Edsall.

Left, It isn't just players that UConn hopes to send on to the National Football League. Torrian Gray, UConn's defensive backs coach during the 2002 and 2003 seasons, is now coaching defensive backs for the Chicago Bears. He caught up with the team's communications director, Leigh Torbin, on the sideline before the game....Right, The UConn and Toledo teams took in the Lions-Bears tilt from the Rooftop Suite at Ford Field. Captured here are Matt Bonislawski, Cornell Brockington, James Hargrave and Dan Orlovsky.

Back at the Hyatt later in the afternoon, about 750 UConn fans were treated to a free reception sponsored by the UConn Alumni Association. Director of Athletics Jeff Hathaway (left) and UConn President Philip Austin (right) spoke at the event.

Left, Edsall makes his way through the large crowd to the podium...Right, Hathaway is joined by former Hartford Mayor Mike Peters.

Left, Hathaway poses with his daughter, Meghan, along with Mr. and Mrs. Mark Shenkman and Judge Aaron Ment...Right, The Hyatt's concierge desk has some good advice on which team to root for.

Left, WTIC's Arnold Dean, team chaplain Father Daniel Sullivan and Judge Aaron Ment at the reception...Right, a UConn fans shows her school spirit.

Left, The eyes of Connecticut are upon you. Edsall is surrounded by "the horde" as Connecticut's famously large media contingent chats with the head Husky after the event...Right, Tyler King and Keron Henry mingle with some fans and sign autographs.