Bobbleheads issued in a nod to UConn Coach Auriemma’s wins milestone

Contributed UConn Coach Geno Auriemma is featured in three bobblehead designs to commemorate his recent milestone win.

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In his 40 years at the University of Connecticut as head coach of the women’s basketball team, Geno Auriemma has been many things, including not just a coach but a mentor, father figure, Hall of Famer, restaurateur and, well, legend.

He’s now also a bobblehead.

The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum on Friday unveiled an officially licensed “Geno Auriemma UConn Huskies Win Record” bobblehead collection, featuring the coach.

The bobbleheads, which are not yet available, are being released to honor the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer becoming the winningest basketball coach, men’s or women’s, in NCAA history.

On Nov. 20, the Huskies defeated Fairleigh Dickinson University at the Harry A. Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, to earn Auriemma his 1,217th win — the most ever in college basketball. The special edition bobbleheads are being produced by the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, an official licensee of the University of Connecticut.

Three designs are included in the collection:

One features Auriemma holding a basketball next to a highway sign that reads: “Welcome to Connecticut … Home of the Winningest Coach in College Basketball History … Coach Geno Auriemma.”
Another features the coach standing next to a framed UConn home jersey with the number 1,217 on the front.
The third is a Geno Auriemma Win Counter that can be adjusted with each UConn victory.

The bobbleheads, which will be individually numbered to 2,024, are available only through the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum’s online store. They are $40 each, or $110 for the set of three. There is also a flat-rate shipping charge of $8 per order. The bobbleheads can be ordered in advance and are expected to ship in May.

Born in Italy and raised in Pennsylvania, Auriemma arrived at UConn in 1985. Before his arrival, the Huskies had only one winning season. In the 40 years since, Auriemma has led UConn to a record 11 NCAA championships, as well as to 23 Final Fours, six perfect seasons, 28 regular season conference titles, 27 conference tournament titles, and separate wins streaks of 98 and 111 games.

UConn has won three more games since the milestone victory, improving Auriemma’s career record to 1,220-162, an .883 win percentage. UConn will look to add another win to his record on Saturday, when the Huskies play the University of Louisville in the Champions Classic in the Barclays Center at 9 p.m.