Thrilling victories, crushing defeats, comical mishaps, colorful coaches, players, and fans—these are the legendary moments and larger-than-life personalities that have made the UCONN Huskies a basketball favorite.
In HOOP TALES™: UCONN HUSKIES MEN’S BASKETBALL (March 2005; Globe Pequot Press), radio analyst Wayne Norman and UCONN alumnus Robert Porter share their favorite memories of this beloved team. From its first moments of regional prominence against Holy Cross in the 1950s to the 2004 NCAA national championship team, this book takes you on a wild ride of New England basketball at its best.
Read about Wes Bialosuknia, the "Poughkeepsie Popper" of 1960s fame, who was perhaps the greatest shooter ever to wear a Husky uniform. Learn about Ray Allen, perhaps the greatest all-around UCONN player ever. Then, of course, there's the Jim Calhoun era, which has produced scores of great players, two national championships (1999 & 2004), and a lifetime of thrilling basketball moments and memories.
If you’re looking for the ultimate history of UCONN Men’s basketball, this is it, as virtually nothing has been written on the early years (from 1950s through 1980s) until now. These stories are must reading for all Husky fans. They entertain, inspire, and bring back to the spotlight the indomitable spirit and energy that is Huskymania.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
WAYNE NORMAN has been a UCONN basketball and football radio commentator for 25 years. His broadcasts are currently on WTIC, Connecticut's largest radio station, where he works with play-by-play announcer Joe D'Ambrosio. Wayne broadcast his 1000th UConn game in 2004. He also has the longest continuously running morning radio show in the state at WILI-AM (1400).
has been a UCONN basketball and football radio commentator for 25 years. His broadcasts are currently on WTIC, Connecticut's largest radio station, where he works with play-by-play announcer Joe D'Ambrosio. Wayne broadcast his 1000th UConn game in 2004. He also has the longest continuously running morning radio show in the state at WILI-AM (1400).
ROBERT PORTER is a 1971 graduate of UCONN and a lifelong Huskies fan. While in college, he did play-by-play broadcasts of UCONN basketball games for radio station WHUS. He has also done freelance sports writing for papers in Connecticut and works full time as a consultant in international banking.
is a 1971 graduate of UCONN and a lifelong Huskies fan. While in college, he did play-by-play broadcasts of UCONN basketball games for radio station WHUS. He has also done freelance sports writing for papers in Connecticut and works full time as a consultant in international banking.
HOOP TALES™: UCONN HUSKIES MEN’S BASKETBALL
By Wayne Norman and Robert Porter
ISBN 0-7627-3785-9 • $9.95 trade paper • 4½ x 7¼ • 177 pages • MARCH 2005
Bob (L) and Wayne broadcasting a UConn game on WHUS at the Field House in 1969
Wayne Norman signs a copy of Hoop Tales for Bob Choinski on April 30 at a signing at Walden Books/Eastbrook Mall -- Bob Dyer photo
Wayne Norman was signing copies of his UConn basketball book before the August 19, 2005 Navigators game at Dodd Stadium. He was sitting next to Navigators pitcher Scott Chiasson, who was a member of ECSU's 1998 NCAA championship team. Wayne broadcast Scott's ECSU games on WILI.
To see photos of Wayne and Bob's signing at the UConn Coop on March 2, which launched the book tour, click here .
WILLIMANTIC CHRONICLE STORY ON BOOK | NORWICH BULLETIN STORY ON BOOK | NEW MILFORD SPECTRUM STORY ON BOOK | MANCHESTER JOURNAL INQUIRER STORY ON BOOK | WATERBURY REPUBLICAN STORY ON BOOK |HARTFORD MAGAZINE STORY ON BOOK |2007 BRISTOL PRESS COLUMN ON BOOK | INSIDECTSPORTS STORY ON BOOK | INTERVIEW ON WFCR IN AMHERST | SPORTSPAGE MAGAZINE STORY ON BOOK | READERS COMMENTS | Q & A WITH WAYNE AND BOB
