Everybody knows Geno Auriemma for his immense success as a head coach and spearheading the UConn Huskies women’s team in college basketball for over four decades. But behind that man has always been his wife Kathy, with whom he shares a deeply bonded and special relationship. Geno Auriemma’s love story, though kind of hilarious, is a sweet example of how love finds people in unexpected ways.
Auriemma studied at Montgomery County Junior College, where he played basketball. In 1972, he met Kathy in his college, where she was a cheerleader. Auriemma claims to have two different versions of the story behind him meeting his wife. Though, he prefers to believe his wife’s version. During a 2017 appearance on “Makers,” Auriemma said:
“There’s probably two versions of the story of how we met. My version is she has been following me around for about a week, or something like that, you know, stalking me, and eventually, you know, I got tired. And hers is probably closer to the truth.” (0:01)
One day, Auriemma was meeting Kathy after one of his games. While everybody left, she waited for him. Here is how the 12-time national championship winning coach described the moment.
“She was a cheerleader and I was on the team, and we’re supposed to meet after the game. Everybody left, and she’s standing there.”
Kathy asked Auriemma if he could drop her off at his house. Despite the route falling out of his way, he still agreed to drop her. As he drove Kathy to her home, he was mesmerized by the neighborhood where she lived in. But, he still couldn’t find her house. Then came the moment when he was absolutely floored for Kathy, sparking into a romantic relationship that is still lasting.
“I don’t even barely know this woman, being a nice guy, who likes to do things for other people, I wasn’t gonna say no,” he said.
“And I said, Okay, where’s, where’s your house? Where are we going here?’ And she said, ‘see that drug store over there?’ I said yes. She goes, ‘Well, my mom and I have an apartment on top of the drugstore.’ I was like, like, hit the brakes. You know? I think we almost got an accident. Like, you got to be kidding me. The rest is history,” Auriemma added.
This unexpected ride blossomed into a relationship that still lasts to this day. Soon, Auriemma transferred to West Chester University and graduated in 1977. He transitioned into coaching soon after his college. He tied the knot with Kathy in 1978.
Auriemma gives much of the credit for his achievements to his wife and on his website, he describes her as his “most valued and trusted source of guidance and loyalty.”
Geno Auriemma never fails to appreciate his wife when breaking records
Last year, Geno Auriemma became the winningest coach in college basketball history after the Huskies defeated the FDU Knights in November. To commemorate this achievement, Auriemma gave credit to Kathy for helping him and supporting from behind the scenes all these years.
“I’ve been exceptionally lucky. I’ve had the good fortune of having a partner that understands and believes in what I’m doing,” Auriemma said.
Geno Auriemma was asked about his wife Kathy being alongside him in his UConn journey:
“I’ve been exceptionally lucky. I’ve had the good fortune of having a partner that understands and believes in what I’m doing” pic.twitter.com/kOihohjVpf
— UConn on SNY (@SNYUConn) November 20, 2024
Geno Auriemma and Kathy have built a happy and loving family together in their relationship over these years. They have three children – daughters Alysa and Jenna, and a son Michael. Auriemma became a grandpa when his daughter Jenna welcomed her first child with husband Todd Stigliano in 2010. Since then, Geno and Kathy Auriemma have welcomed two more grandchildren.
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