Community Corner

Hidden Gems Of Hartford And Tolland Counties

The latest Hidden Gem is a tribute to Olympians.

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The UConn Olympians monument.
The UConn Olympians monument. (UConn Communications. )

STORRS, CT — The latest Hidden Gem is a monument that honors Olympians with ties to the University of Connecticut.

It is located on The main UConn campus in Storrs, and pays respects to alumni and coaches who have been part of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. The monument is located on Hillside Road, just north of the Jonathan statue and across the street from Fairfield Way.

There are about 60 names on the monument from basketball stars like Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi and Rebecca Lobo to coaches like Dee Rowe.

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But it's not all about hoop. Track and field stars like hammer thrower Andy Bessette and steeplechase runner Donn Cabral and field hockey legend Tracey Fuchs are also on it.

Names of future Olympians with UConn ties will be added as they qualify for their respective teams.

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The concept for the monument came from Bessette, a Class of 1975 member who was on the 1980 United States Olympic Team. Bessette said he saw similar acknowledgements at other college campuses and at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. He then worked with Director of Athletics David Benedict to make the UConn monument a reality.

In coordination with the Division of Athletics, the monument was designed and constructed by the Office of University Planning, Design and Construction – Site Planning & Landscape Architecture.

UConn’s Olympians have won a cumulative 27 gold medals, a silver medal, and seven bronze medals. They have represented 14 different countries and Puerto Rico, and participated in 15 different Olympic and Paralympic sports.

(UConn Communications)

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The Hidden Gems series features out-of-the-way mom and pop restaurants, small specialty stores you may have never heard of, little-known historical markers or beautiful nature spots that may be a bit off the beaten path, all located within Hartford and Tolland counties. Do you have a favorite "hidden gem" in the area that you wish to see featured in this column? Email your ideas to Chris.dehnel@patch.com.

Other Gems in this series:

2022

2021 and earlier:

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