STORRS, Conn. — Rebecca Lobo fondly recalls the handwritten letters she received from UConn coaches Geno Auriemma and Chris Dailey during her high school years when they were trying to recruit her as one of the nation’s leading young talents. In an era devoid of emails and text messages, these letters were the primary means of communication between coaches and prospective players.

“That was the norm back then. Before they could call you, they would write,” Lobo explained, who now works as an analyst for ESPN. She holds on to around 20 letters from coaches Auriemma and Dailey, dating back to the late ’80s and early ’90s. “After attending my games, they would write things like, ‘I enjoyed watching you play. Don’t get frustrated with the refs. You’ll get fouled a lot.’” These precious letters symbolize the strong bonds that have persisted despite the evolution of communication technologies over the decades.

This Wednesday evening, a large number of former players are expected to gather on campus as No. 2 UConn faces off against Farleigh Dickinson. This game presents Auriemma with the opportunity to surpass the collegiate basketball career wins record, breaking a tie with retired Stanford legend Tara VanDerveer at an impressive total of 1,216 victories.

Reflecting on his time at UConn, Auriemma admits he never imagined that he and Dailey would still be at the helm after forty years. “I don’t believe anyone enters a situation thinking they will commit 40 years to one place doing the same thing,” he acknowledged. “It just kind of caught up to me over time.”

When Auriemma was first offered the head coaching position at UConn, he made it clear that he would only accept the role if Dailey, who was then at Rutgers, joined him as an assistant coach. Upon their arrival in Storrs, they faced a daunting task, starting from scratch in an area that wasn’t known for its basketball allure, about 90 miles from Boston.

“We started from zero; we didn’t have the perks of a renowned location or the advantages that came with a top-tier league,” Auriemma said. “We began at the absolute ground level and, after that, built everything from the ground up.”

Under Auriemma’s leadership, which he has held since leaving his assistant coach role at Virginia, UConn has amassed an unparalleled collection of achievements. As he approaches his 71st birthday in March, his accolades include an astounding 11 national championships and coaching six undefeated teams. The Huskies have also made history with a record streak of 111 consecutive wins, surpassing their previous mark of 90, and have reached 23 Final Fours—more than any program in men’s or women’s basketball. Over the years, Auriemma has earned the title of Coach of the Year from The Associated Press nine times.

Despite these remarkable achievements, Auriemma claims that such milestones were far from his thoughts when he first took on the role. “Initially, we were focused on simply trying to win against teams like Providence and Villanova. My priority was to avoid finishing at the bottom of the Big East and allowing my players to partake in their inaugural Big East Tournament,” he stated. “Everything beyond that was someone else’s vision, not mine.”

Having grown up in suburban Philadelphia, Auriemma is not one to boast about his career accolades. However, Lobo believes this specific achievement resonates deeply. “This record connects everyone, from Peggy Myers’ cohort to the current roster,” she remarked. “I genuinely believe he recognizes this. All of his players have contributed to this success, creating a shared experience that forms a unique bond among them.”

Auriemma has had the privilege of coaching several top recruits, including WNBA legends like Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi, as well as rising stars like Paige Bueckers, who is anticipated to be the number one pick in next year’s draft. “He’s shattering records left and right, and that’s a big part of the reason players come to UConn,” Bueckers noted. “The legacy that he has established, along with the champions he has produced, makes it incredibly meaningful to play here.”

While Auriemma has adjusted his coaching style over the years to suit evolving trends in basketball, the fundamental values that he and Dailey instill remain constant. Their emphasis on relationship-building, whether it’s interacting with bus drivers or performing team rituals such as lining up for the national anthem, reflects their commitment to community within the program.

“Everything they partook in was about relationships,” former UConn player Jen Rizzotti explained. “They instilled the importance of teamwork, selflessness, and kindness among teammates, along with a work ethic that is truly unique.”

Those who played under Auriemma describe him as a perfectionist who can be “relentlessly demanding,” capable of motivating his players to be their best selves. Lobo recalls a drill she participated in as a freshman that Auriemma later replicated with Breanna Stewart, demonstrating his timeless coaching methods: “He was challenging her much like he did with me years ago. It pushed us both to excel.”

Auriemma expressed his skepticism about the current dynamics in college basketball, particularly with the introduction of the transfer portal and NIL deals, and he has not indicated how much longer he intends to coach. He has previously stated he would step down when he stops attracting the level of talent he desires. His most recent contract extension, valued at $18.7 million, keeps him in UConn through 2029.

For now, UConn currently finds itself in an active season, and with health on their side, the team is poised to contend for a possible twelfth national championship.