Sports have a way of teaching invaluable life lessons — building character, fostering teamwork and strengthening the bonds within a community. In the New Haven area, these values have shaped some truly remarkable athletes from different eras, whose accomplishments continue to inspire.
Patch is celebrating five standout athletes whose achievements have left a lasting mark on our community. This list is just a snapshot, with countless other athletes helping shape the rich sports culture in our area.
Known as "The Franchise," Floyd Little grew up in New Haven's public housing before a three-time All-American career at Syracuse, where he wore the No. 44 previously worn by Jim Brown and Ernie Davis. He went on to a nine-year career with the Denver Broncos, leading the NFL in rushing in 1971 and earning induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010. New Haven later renamed its largest athletic facility the Floyd Little Athletic Center in his honor.
Born in New Haven, Scott Burrell became one of the rare athletes drafted in the first round of two major sports, taken by the Toronto Blue Jays as a pitcher before turning to basketball at UConn. He went on to an eight-year NBA career and won an NBA championship with the 1998 Chicago Bulls, playing alongside Michael Jordan.
Born in New Haven, Caitlin Cahow played defense for the U.S. Women's National Team, helping the team to a bronze medal at the 2006 Turin Olympics and a silver medal at the 2010 Vancouver Games. She also won three gold medals at the IIHF World Women's Championships and was a finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award, college hockey's top individual honor, during her time at Harvard.
A middle-distance standout at New Haven's Wilbur Cross High School, Danae Rivers went undefeated in Connecticut in the 800m and 1600m before signing with Penn State, where she became a four-time Big Ten champion in the 800 meters. She was twice named the New Haven Register's Athlete of the Year and set a New England meet record in the 800m as a high schooler.
Roberto Taylor came to the New Haven area to play college soccer, scoring 25 goals over two seasons for the University of New Haven before turning pro. He signed with the Connecticut Yankees of the American Soccer League in 1976 and finished fourth in the league in scoring, earning Rookie of the Year honors that season.
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