The second annual UConn Huskies Coaches Road Show concluded its three-day tour on Thursday with stops at Dunkin' Donuts Park in Hartford and Chelsea Piers in Stamford

The events included an hour of mingling and conversations between fans and coaches and an hour of questions and answers with some of the most well-known Husky coaches.   

The event also provided a chance for the UConn coaches to gather together in a social setting.

"We're are getting out and coming to you, because in the end, we are going to ask you to return the favor by coming to Hartford and coming to Storrs to support our student-athletes," UConn Director of Athletics David Benedict said in his opening remarks. "So let people know we are out. We care about what is happening in the state, not just in Hartford and Storrs." 

During the course of the show, head coaches Randy Edsall (football), Nancy Stevens (field hockey), Mike Cavanaugh (men's ice hockey), Dan Hurley (men's basketball), Geno Auriemma (women's basketball) and Dave Pezzino (men's golf) addressed the UConn fans -- updating them about their 2018-19 seasons just past and looking forward to their seasons coming in 2019-20. They also participated in question-and-answer sessions about themselves and their teams with master of ceremonies Bob Joyce, the voice of UConn women's basketball on 97.9 ESPN Radio.

One of the most interesting segments of the Q & A session came with the coaches' answers to Joyce's question about why they got into coaching and remained in the profession for most of their adult lives.

"First, it was because of the opportunities that coaches gave me," Edsall said. "But you don't realize the impact that you can have on young people being a coach, and the relationships you have. That's the big thing. When you bring somebody to your university and you see the growth and development in those kids in those four or five years, and to know that you played a small part in that, that's more than anything you could want."

"It's the relationships with your players and former players," Stevens added. "And the parents, just as important."

"I have no idea (why I got into coaching)," Cavanaugh joked. "I went to Bowdoin and two of my classmates are retired and three are presidents of companies and here I am, grinding it out to beat Sacred Heart. I have no idea.

"My dad was the high school football coach in the town I grew up in and I was fortunate enough to play for him, so I grew up with it. When it's all you know, it's hard to get it out of your blood."

Hurley, who also grew up as the son of a high school coach, agreed.

"Growing up, 3 of 4 years old, our day care was my dad's practices our TV and video games were going to his games at night," Hurley said. "I couldn't imagine doing anything else. I love sports, I love practicing every day, I love preparing for an opponent, taking a team on its journey through a season. I like being part of a player's maturation. The highs, the lows, I love all of it. I watched my father teach kids to use basketball as a vehicle to create a great life for themselves. I want to do that for there guys that I get to coach."

Auriemma summed it up.

"I think all these people up here are all in it for the right reasons," Auriemma said. "I don't think you would coach for as long as we all have if you were init for the wrong reasons. Those people usually get washed out somewhere along the line. The people that last for a long time and have success are those who are in it for the right reasons. We end up spending more time with your kids that our kids. We sacrifice a lot to be able to do this job. Coaching isn't like a job where you sell products ... this is your life. Your family is in it. You're in it 24/7. That feeling of being part of a great team -- I wanted to share that with kids."

Thanks to all the members of UConn Nation who participated.  The coaches and administrators had a great time and we hope you did too!