"You have to take unprecedented measures.": When Geno Auriemma backed NCAA's bold move for seniors during global pandemic

Geno Auriemma is one of the greatest head coaches in college basketball history. In the span of four decades, he has made UConn's women's basketball program one of the strongest in the nation, leading them to 11 national championships.

Besides establishing an unmatched legacy on the court, Auriemma has also made one off it, standing up for the welfare of not only his players but all college athletes. An example of this was seen on March 12, 2020, when the NCAA announced the cancellation of all winter and spring championships because of the raging COVID-19 pandemic.

When quizzed about how the eligibility issue should be solved while speaking to SportsCenter on the phone that day, Geno Auriemma advocated that student athletes in their senior year should get an extra year of eligibility, given that they virtually lost the final season of their college sports careers.

"My feeling is this: It’s an unprecedented event, so you have to take unprecedented measures," said Auriemma. "You can't say this year never happened and wipe away everything because some teams had amazing seasons, incredible accomplishments, and they should not be diminished and shouldn't be wiped away.

"In terms of each individual, I would be in favor of allowing all those that were seniors that have not had a chance to compete, not had a chance to play their spring season, that they should all be given another opportunity to play regardless of what that does to your scholarship count. And the NCAA should pay the bill for that."

Auriemma's vision for senior athletes eventually came to fruition, as the NCAA voted to give all fall-sport student athletes an extra year of eligibility and an additional year to complete it on August 21, 2020.

Geno Auriemma scripts history in his 40th season at UConn

On November 20, UConn honored Geno Auriemma and associate head coach Chris Dailey for their Ruby Anniversary ahead of their game against FDU. The Huskies' 85-41 annihilation of the Knights was a special one for Auriemma, as he became the sole leader in all-time wins across men's and women's college basketball by scoring his 1,217th Division I victory.

The Huskies are chasing their first national championship since 2016 and have made a strong 10-2 start to the 2024-25 season. While they lost three places in the latest update of the AP Top 25, they will be favorites to come out on top in their next game on December 29, where they face a conference opponent in Providence.