Sue Bird Inducted Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, Credits UConn Coaching Staff

Sue Bird was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, where she credited her UConn coaches, particularly Geno Auriemma and Chris Dailey, for shaping her character and success both on and off the court. Bird humorously noted that Dailey, Auriemma, and assistant Morgan Valley arrived late to the ceremony due to a delayed flight, despite Dailey's legendary attention to detail, which Bird cited as pivotal to her own development. Bird’s speech emphasized that greatness is a team effort, thanking her family, teammates, and coaches for their influence throughout her career. Her storied journey includes two NCAA championships, being named 2002 National Player of the Year, a record-setting professional career with four WNBA titles, five Olympic gold medals, and continued leadership in the sport. The UConn coaching staff remains largely the same as during Bird’s college years, a testament to the program’s consistency and influence. Bird joins six other UConn players and her coaches as Hall of Fame inductees, reflecting both her individual achievements and the enduring legacy of the Huskies program.