Installment #15: UConn Women's B-ball Coach Has COVID

I found out yesterday afternoon that UConn women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday. He said in a video call on Monday that he is not experiencing any symptoms. He is not expected to coach the team in their first round game or the second if they advance due to required quarantining protocols. Assistant coach Chris Dailey, who is 10-0 in games that she had to coach in Auriemma’s absence, will coach the team.

Auriemma, who has had both of his vaccine shots, is just eight or nine days shy of being fully vaccinated. The coach turned 67 on March 3, and he said after the second dose “I think if I hadn’t gotten the vaccine, and then tested positive, I might be really, really, really sick right now. And I feel really, really good. So I’m glad I got the vaccine.”

The lady Huskies, who were scheduled to fly to San Antonio for the women’s NCAA tournament today, are 24-1 on the season. They hold one of four No. 1 seeds in the tournament and will play High Point University in the first game on Sunday. If they can beat the Panthers on Sunday and advance passed whoever their second-round opponent would be, then Geno Auriemma will be able to rejoin the team on March 24. Until then, I hope all goes well with his quarantining.