Gena Auriemma records 1,000th career win

Geno Auriemma, head coach of the University of Connecticut, earned his 1,000th career win Dec. 19, 2017, as the Huskies defeated the University of Oklahoma, 88-64. Auriemma is the fourth college women’s basketball coach to join the 1,000-win club.

“Tremendous to think about all the time, talent and service combined to reach 1,000 wins,” said Danielle Donehew, executive director of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association. “Congratulations to Coach Geno Auriemma, his staff, team and family for surpassing this historic milestone. The WBCA salutes our past president and applauds his many contributions to our game.”

Auriemma joined UConn in 1985 and has since become a trailblazer for the sport, becoming the first coach in women's basketball history to have 10-consecutive NCAA Women’s Final Four appearances. 

With a career record of 1,000-135, Auriemma also holds the best winning percentage (.881) in the history of the sport and reached win No. 900 in fewer games than any coach.

Under his leadership, UConn manages a 100-percent graduation rate among four-year student-athletes and has earned 45 conference titles, 18 Women’s Final Four appearances and 11 championship crowns.

In 2006, Auriemma was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women Basketball Hall of Fame. He has earned a combine 30 national coach of the year honors including being a seven-time United State Marine Corps/WBCA National Coach of the Year.

Outside of the collegiate realm, Auriemma recently finished a successful eight-year term as the head coach of the U.S. National Team, winning gold at the 2012 Olympic Games in London and the 2016 Games in Rio. He also led Team USA to gold at each of the last two FIBA World Championships. 

Congratulations to Auriemma, a WBCA past president, on his historic win!

Release Date: 
Tuesday, December 19, 2017