Christmas in Charlotte For The Huskies

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Dec. 25, 2007) - The University of Connecticut football team got down to business on Tuesday holding a two-hour practice session at Charlotte Latin School. A Christmas dinner for the team followed followed by a quiet evening.

The busier docket for Wednesday includes a visit to spread some holiday cheer at Levine Children's Hospital in the morning. The team will practice in the afternoon and then at night head a couple of blocks down the street to Charlotte Bobcats Arena to see the Bobcats, led by UConn alumnus Emeka Okafor, take on fellow former UConn star Caron Butler and the Washington Wizards.

Left: Athletic Trainer Anna Legler was in the holiday spirit at practice on Tuesday...Right: Quarterbacks Dennis Brown and Tyler Lorenzen only look like they are joined at the hip during positional drills.

Left: The Husky offense prepares to run a play...Right: Randy Edsall talks to his team after practice.

Left: UConn arranged through its North Pole contacts to have Santa Claus come to Charlotte for the team dinner. Team captain Dan Davis asks St. Nick for a bowl win this Christmas...Right: Amanda Lakatos reads a story to the children of the coaching staff.

Left: The first family of UConn coaching, head women's lacrosse coach Megan Cersosimo and wide receivers coach Matt Cersosimo with their four-month old son Brady...Right: Defensive tackle Zak Penwell's wife and two children are with the team in Charlotte as well. His daughter Zoe can't wait to open this present.

Left: Joanne Fazio and Eileen Edsall are both big fans of Santa...Right: Director of Athletics Jeff Hathaway and his family with jolly ole St. Nick.

Left: Santa gets a big thumbs up from video director Dave Kaplan and his son Bobby...Right: Executive Associate AD Neal Eskin and his family also posed for a photo.

Head Coach Randy Edsall also got into the holiday spirit!