We want to hear from you! Please share thoughts, insights, discrepancies, recollections, photos — and how’s your Tom’s Trivia win-loss percentage coming? Post to our website at magazine.uconn.edu, email the editor at lisa.stiepock@uconn.edu, or send by regular mail to UConn Magazine Letters, 34 N. Eagleville Rd., Storrs, CT 06269-3144.
Here’s a sampling of web, social media, mailed, and emailed comments on our last issue, edited for clarity and length.
Being Jonathan
As a former UConn mascot myself, I really enjoyed reading “Being Jonathan” and seeing everyone’s stories. I have so many I could share.
I was only Jonathan for one season, but what a season it was: 1998–99, as in during the men’s basketball team’s run to their first national championship. While I did not work that game, I most certainly did attend it — which was even better because I got to share that moment with the most important man in my life, my brother.
On top of that, being the mascot my senior year at what is now known as the Basketball Capital of the World opened up a lot of doors for me. After graduating, I ended up working as a mascot for the Bridgeport Bluefish minor league baseball team for six seasons in what I consider to be some of the happiest times of my life. This led to other gigs working as many different mascots at birthday parties, parades, charity events — the list goes on and on.
Thanks for bringing back some great memories to this almost half-century-old man.
Paul Lockwood ’99 (SFA)
Bluffton, South Carolina
I was a balloon handler the first year UConn Stamford marched at the Stamford Thanksgiving parade. Marching behind Jonathan the Husky, I got to see how excited parade watchers were, especially kids, to see the mascot. It was an especially sweet moment to be a UConn Husky!
Maxine Tobias ’16 MBA
Wilton, Connecticut
Me and my friend Dan Parzych, who shared Jonathan responsibilities for our junior and senior years, took that slide to new heights before it was banned. I was the last one to do the slide because I had the last game that year, and it was in the old Civic Center in 1993. Great times and great memories. Hand stands, back flips, slides, and to be part of the first trip to the Final Four for the Women’s Basketball team in 1991 (New Orleans) was really special. Hi, Dan, if you are reading this! Remember our comp — who could do the most slides during a timeout before the refs kicked us off the court? 13 ... good times!
Jamie Chambers ’93 (BUS)
East Lyme, Connecticut
What a great article. Such a family affair, and the dedication (and some danger LOL) that accompanies this responsibility was so entertaining and interesting to read about.
Jody Novitsky
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Great article about being Jonathan, but I was disappointed to not see my son-in-law. Sean Reilly ’08 (BUS) was Jonathan for all four of his UConn years. He has so many stories of very memorable events and important games. Being an alum, I have always been so proud to say I am a relative of a Jonathan!
Carol Bonney Roche ’78 (SFA)
Lordship, Connecticut
I totally agree, it was like being Batman.
Ron Albert ’80 (CLAS), ’84 DMD
Husky Dog 1977–80
Manchester, Connecticut
Imagine my delight at seeing an article dedicated to being the Husky dog. I was fortunate enough to be our beloved two-legged mascot from 1986 to 1988. Fantastic times indeed, including the NIT championship at MSG!
1) The Husky Slide started before me and ended after me.
2) It wasn’t all basketball/football/soccer. I was at polo matches, in seat belt safety commercials, and at staff retirement celebrations.
3) Somewhere there must be footage of the fight between me and the Holy Cross Crusader in ’88, which ended up with his mascot head on the court.
4) The fans were wonderful, even at away games — except for Syracuse.
This is me and my grandfather at the old Memorial Stadium in ’86. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
Tim Bartlett ’90 (ED)
Newtown, Connecticut
The Dynasty Lives
From 1972 to 1992 I was a faculty member, department head (nutritional sciences), and dean (CAHNR), where I learned to love and appreciate UConn women (and men) basketball players and coaches alike. I now live in Fort Collins, Colorado, where I retired as dean, College of Agricultural Sciences, and I continue to be an enthusiastic fan.
And I can attest to the fact that there a lot of UConn fans here too! Congratulations to Geno, coaches, players and the UConn family!
Kirvin Knox
Fort Collins, Colorado
The UConn Magazine is so much cooler than Villanova’s, who even is that guy in the robe
@BenJ6257
Wonderful pictures and great story! Indeed, this UConn team was always here and never left the stage. Geno and his staff are the best, and hopefully they will be around for at least five more years and win number 15! All is well in the Basketball Capital of the World!
G. Hochberger
New Jersey
Thanks. Loved every minute of this fairytale story.
Michael Ritz
The Good Neighbor
Ms. Puzzo is an astoundingly fine person in times where cruelty has become the theme. She and her hearty crew give me hope that we can turn things back to being the most caring society on the globe. Thank you, UConn, for sharing Puzzo’s mission with us.
Jay B. Levin ’76 JD
Volley for Mom
Thank you so much, UConn, for all the memories — Go Huskies! Grateful for having the best brother in the world!
Angelo A. Rossetti ’92 (ED)
Hamden, Connecticut
Correction: We apologize for spelling Rossetti wrong in the print issue!
The Ace
This is a great story! Thank you for the insight. I try to go to the Travelers Championship every year — it is a great event — and I have had my picture taken with Webb. I like him even more now for keeping his word.
Kris Mach
Southington, Connecticut
Opened up the latest UConn Magazine to find Andy Bessette, a fellow Husky alum, share an inspiring message of how Travelers not only saved New England’s top golf event, but elevated it to become a Signature Event on the PGA Tour. “If you accept the status quo, ... then you are going to go backwards. You never ever stop trying to get better.” Not only is the event fun to watch, the tournament also raises millions for Connecticut charities. This is something to raise a glass to!
Erin Paternoster Vice ’10 BUS
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