UConn Huskies

Susan Herbst Response To AP Story On APR

2012-02-08T21:37:17Z

As many of you have probably read, the Associated Press ran a story today (Feb. 8) on UConn's appeal for a waiver to play in the 2013 NCAA men's basketball tournament due to our APR sanctions. ]]> The AP made a request for comments from Herbst, but did not wait for those comments, and ran a first edition of the story without her thoughts. Many of you will not see these quotes, so we thought we would put them here.

Statement from President Susan Herbst to the AP

University of Connecticut
February 8, 2012

"We believe that we have made a very compelling case to the NCAA and will be deeply disappointed if our request for a waiver, from the 2013 men's basketball postseason ban, is denied. Our team's academic performance improved tremendously in 2010-11, and in the fall 2011 semester. We developed a new long-term academic plan for our team, and it has already shown positive results.

It is unfortunate that our current men's basketball student-athletes could be punished for the problematic academic performance of other students -- students who have not been enrolled at UConn for over two years. That decision would be unfair to innocent young people, which is baffling to us. Regulatory bodies should not change rules retroactively. The NCAA should focus on the future, so that people have the chance to work toward positive change. They should not dredge up the past, and then hurt innocent parties of the present.

On a personal level, and as an educator, I would be very sorry to see such harsh punishment of the outstanding young men on our current basketball team. I believe that it would be wrong to punish these students, caught in the fallout from a sudden passage of new rules -- rules that did not exist when they enrolled at UConn. That would be a fundamental injustice to our team and to our university.

My thanks go out to so many wonderful professionals at UConn who have made great strides in our academic approach over the past few years, as well as to our students, whom we treasure, along with our dedicated faculty and coaches. And I cannot think of many people in this world who have improved the lives of young men more profoundly than Jim Calhoun, our Hall of Fame coach, and highly-valued member of this university community."

The Last One...But About 14 Hours Late

2012-02-02T16:55:06Z

We sent a Twitter out when Obi Melifonwu returned his Letter of Intent, but we nevered blogged it...so we wanted it to be official. ]]>

Neil Shortell joins Chandler Whitmer at UConn

2012-02-01T17:42:16Z

Junior college transfer TE Neil Shortell has signed a NLI..from Butler CC in Kansas and has two years of eligibility

]]> A junior college transfer from Butler Community College in El Dorado, Kansas...same junior college as UConn spring enrollee Chandler Whitmer...will have two years of eligibility over three at UConn...had four receptions for 60 yards and a TD as a tight end for Butler in 2011... was named All-Kansas Junior College Conference first team honors...Butler was the second-ranked junior college team nationally this past season...born July 9, 1991

Welcome Omaine Stephens

2012-02-01T17:30:28Z

Omaine Stephens, a 6-4, 220 linebacker from East Orange, NJ and East Orange Campus HS has signed a LOI is now a Husky.

]]> Omaine Stephens: Named All-Area by the News-Record (Maplewood and South Orange, N.J.)...also named First Team All-Group 4 by the Newark Star-Ledger and First Team All-Essex County...made 70 tackles as a senior (54 primary) with 13 sacks...born June 2, 1993.

Final Mid-Year Enrollee...Joseph Williams

2012-02-01T17:17:58Z

Joseph Williams...a 5-11, 197-pound tailback from Allentown, Pa., came to Connecticut for the spring 2012 semester.... Here is a bio and photo Enrolled at Connecticut for the spring 2012 semester and will participate in spring practice... spent the fall 2011 semester at Fork Union (Va.) Military Academy after graduating from Emmaus High School in the spring of 2011... .at Emmaus, rushed for 1,243 yards as a senior and was a second team all-area pick... first team All-Lehigh Valley Conference selection... was a track standout winning the LVC outdoor track titles in the 100-meter and 200-meter dash... born September 4, 1993.

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Meet Another Mid-Year Enrollee: Kyle Bockeloh

2012-02-01T16:24:10Z

Kyle Bockeloh is a 6-2, 286-pound center from Houston, Texas and Cypress Creek HS Enrolled at Connecticut for the spring 2012 semester and will participate in spring practice...played at Cypress Creek High School in Houston and graduated in the spring of 2011...team went 9-4 in his senior season and team won three playoff games to advance to the regional round of the 5A Division I championship...delayed his enrollment to college until this semester...earned Greater Houston Academic All-State honors and also participated in track and field..born October 20, 1992.

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Another photo of Jason Sylva

2012-02-01T16:16:23Z

Here's another shot of the Massachusetts product! ]]>

Jason Sylva Is A Husky!

2012-02-01T16:10:52Z

Jason Sylva, a 6-3, 235-pound LB from Marlon, Mass., and Plymouth South HS has signed his Letter of Intent and is a Husky! Will play linebacker at Connecticut...made 72 tackles on defense with 22 for a loss and 10 sacks this past fall at Tabor Academy (Marion, Mass.)....also rushed for 900 yards and 10 TDS...was a three-time All-Colonial League pick, a first team All-New England selection twice and a runner-up for the New England Player of the year as a senior...began his high school career at Plymouth South HS, earning Atlantic Coast League honorable mention all-conference honors in football and basketball...his father, Ed, played football at Boston State (now UMass-Boston)...his uncle, Bob, played football at Norwich with current UConn DC Don Brown...born July 14, 1992.

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Rennick Bryan is aboard!

2012-02-01T15:59:34Z

Rennick Bryan, a 6-2, 319-pound center from New Haven, Conn. and Hillhouse HS has sent in his National Letter of Intent and is officially a Husky! Named to the Connecticut High School Coaches' Association All-Star Football Team and the Walter Camp Football Foundation All-Connecticut Team..named to the Levi Jackson All-Star Team, honored by the New Haven Gridiron Club...also throws the shot put and discus in track and field...was All-Southern Connecticut Conference in the shot put...born December 1, 1993.

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Hey Red Sox fans...Ricky Gutierrez is a Husky!

2012-02-01T15:47:06Z

Ricky Gutiererz is a Husky -- he's a 6-1, 170-pound WR from Hialeah, Fla., and American HS...he dad Ricky Gutierrez was a member of the 2004 Red Sox World Series Champions...but this Ricky won't begin his career down three games of nothing. Here is a photo and bio...

Wide receiver whose team played in regional semifinals of Florida Class 7A regional quarterfinals...son of former Major League Baseball player Ricky Gutierrez, who played for six teams from 1993-2004 and won a World Series ring with the '04 Red Sox..born February 15, 1993.

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Spring 2012 Enrollee--Drew Ghio

2012-02-01T14:42:53Z

Drew Ghio is a 6-1, 297-pound OG from Bristol, Conn, Bristol Central HS and the Loomis Chaffee School..... Enrolled at Connecticut for the spring 2012 semester and will participate in spring practice...graduate of Bristol Central High School and spent the fall 2011 semester at the Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor, Conn. ...team captain at Bristol Central and earned team MVP honors...was an all-city and first team all-conference pick...honor roll student at both Bristol Eastern and Loomis...played for the Connecticut team in the 2010 Governors' Cup All-Star Game...participated in track and basketball...born July 17, 1992.]]>

Here comes....Richard Levy!

2012-02-01T14:24:17Z

Richard Levy..a 6-6, 280-pound OT from Trenton, N.J. and Trenton Central HS has signed his National Letter of Intent for UConn

]]> Played both on the offensive and defensive line...also wrestles in high school...born September 12, 1992.

Another mid-year enrollee...Chandler Whitmer

2012-02-01T14:16:00Z

Another QB that came for the spring 2012 semester...QB Chandler Whitmer...a 6-1, 188-pounder who played last year at Butler Community College in Kansas. Here is a photo and bio.

Enrolled at Connecticut for the spring 2012 semester and will participate in spring practice...will have three years of eligibility at Connecticut... originally enrolled at Illinois in the fall of 2010 and was a redshirt...named to The Champaign News-Gazette's All-State team following his senior year of high school at Downers Grove (Ill.) South...earned all state and all-area honors...spent the 2011 fall semester at Butler Community College in El Dorado, Kansas...was 180 for 316 in the air for 3,022 yards this past season with 25 TDs and 14 interceptions... was named All-Kansas Junior College Conference first team honors...named National Junior College Athletic Association All-American honorable mention...Butler was the second-ranked junior college team nationally this past season...born August 16, 1991.

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Tyler Samra is a Husky!

2012-02-01T14:09:40Z

Tyler Samra, a 6-3, 250-pound OG from Wycoff, N.J. and Don Bosco HS is officially a Husky as he has signed a National Letter of Intent.

]]> Helped team rush for 1,910 rushing yards and 1,194 passing yards in senior year...was named first-team all-state by the Newark Star-Ledger...team went 11-0 in senior year and won the New Jersey Non-Public Group 4 state championship...born December 23, 1993.

Casey Cochran in action

2012-02-01T14:08:30Z

Here is another shot of the QB.... ]]>