David Pindell’s NFL quest goes through Fan Controlled Football
By Danny Barletta
The Daily Campus
April 6, 2021
UConn quarterback David Pindell throws a pass in a game against UMass on Oct. 27, 2018. Photo: Charlotte Lao
David Pindell graduated from UConn in 2019 with a dream of playing professional football. Two years later, his journey has brought him to an unlikely place, playing in a league where fans call the plays in real time through an app. Pindell is still looking for an opportunity to get to the NFL, but his difficult path has made him learn a few things about himself and about life.
Love for wrestling fuels major comeback for Cesar Alvan at Northfield Mount Hermon
By Danny Barletta
MassLive
December 2, 2020
Cesar Alvan celebrates his 100th career wrestling victory. Photo: Mark M. Murray
Cesar Alvan was one of the top high school wrestlers in Massachusetts. When a freak knee injury threatened his career, Alvan was determined to make a comeback to the mat. He’s in the process of doing so and has big aspirations.
For UConn’s Paige Bueckers, racism is personal
By Danny Barletta
The Daily Campus
September 2, 2020
Paige Bueckers poses on the cover of Slam Magazine. Photo: Instagram
Paige Bueckers is a phenomenal young basketball player. Her skills on the court have given her a platform off of it, and she is using it to raise awareness of racial injustice in America. She may not be targeted by racism, but her little brother Drew is. So it’s a personal issue for her.
Jordan Hall: From burning out to showing out
By Danny Barletta
UConnHuskies.com
September 30, 2019
UConn forward and leading scorer Jordan Hall. Photo: Stephen Slade
UConn soccer forward Jordan Hall is off to a hot start. He comes to UConn as graduate transfer. He is originally from England but is now at his third school in four years. His journey to UConn is unique, with multiple stops along the way and a hiatus from the sport entirely. Hall has managed to overcome all that and do what he does best: score goals.
Men’s Basketball: The Big East community reacts to UConn’s return at media day
By Danny Barletta
The Daily Campus
October 29, 2020
James Bouknight of the UConn men’s basketball team. Photo: David Butler II
UConn was the talk of the town during this season’s Big East Media Day. Everybody had something to say about UConn’s return to the Big East, and the response was overwhelmingly positive from players and coaches alike. UConn basketball should be played in the Big East Conference, and everybody involved with the conference seems to know that.
The 4‑minute stretch that resulted in a 4‑point swing for UConn
By Danny Barletta
The Daily Campus
February 24, 2020
The UConn men’s hockey team celebrates after a huge overtime win over Hockey East rival Boston University. Photo: Kevin Lindstrom
The UConn men’s hockey team put together a thrilling finish against Boston University. Down 2–1 with time winding down, the Huskies scored once to tie the game at the end of regulation, and on the first shift of overtime, they scored again to win it. The team looked like it was done, but everything changed in about four minutes of game time, resulting in UConn’s biggest win of the season to that point.
Ware football takes down No. 5 Northampton 22–12 on Senior Day
By Danny Barletta
MassLive
April 17, 2021
Ware quarterback Dillon Slattery runs up the middle in a big win over Northampton. Photo: J. Anthony Roberts
Ware football honored its 11 seniors before their final home game. Then, the Indians went out on the field and pulled off a big upset over one of the top teams in the region. Quarterback Dillon Slattery and running back Andrew Soltys led the way with big time performances.
Vital, Gilbert leave Gampel in style
By Danny Barletta
UConnHuskies.com
March 6, 2020
Christian Vital and Alterique Gilbert were honored at Gampel Pavilion for Senior Night, and they helped lead the Huskies to a big win over a ranked Houston squad. Photo: UConn Athletics
Christian Vital and Alterique Gilbert are the leaders of a young and hungry UConn basketball team. They had their careers honored on Senior Night before what may have been their final game ever at Gampel Pavilion. They helped fuel a huge win over No. 21 Houston in front of a wild home sellout crowd.
Connecticut Ice: A new college hockey tradition?
By Danny Barletta
The Daily Campus
January 27, 2020
UConn’s men’s hockey competed in Connecticut Ice, the inaugural men’s college hockey tournament in Connecticut. The team took home losses to Quinnipiac and Yale, finishing last in the tournament. Photo: Mike Mavredakis
UConn took part in the first-ever Connecticut Ice tournament along with the other Division I hockey programs in the state: Sacred Heart, Quinnipiac and Yale. It was a great turnout for the inaugural event, and the coaches were excited for the future. If handled correctly, it could become a tradition for the state of Connecticut.
In final season competing for Gateway, Becca and Ben Hyjek earn All-State soccer recognition
By Danny Barletta
MassLive
January 18, 2021
Twins Becca and Ben Hyjek both earned All-State honors in soccer as seniors at Gateway. Photo: MassLive
Twins Becca and Ben Hyjek grew up competing against each other in everything, including soccer. Now, as seniors at Gateway Regional High School, both siblings were named All-State soccer players. They credit each other with making them the successful athletes they are today.
Coaches’ Week: Chris MacKenzie is all about the team culture
By Danny Barletta
The Daily Campus
April 16, 2019
UConn women’s hockey head coach Chris MacKenzie. Photo: UConn Athletics
UConn women’s hockey head coach Chris MacKenzie is beloved by his players. He focuses more on the culture of the team than the wins and losses themselves. He has had a successful tenure in Storrs so far, leading his team to the playoffs in all six seasons. His players cite him as a great coach on the ice but an even better mentor off it.
Ten Years Later: A look back at the 2009 UConn football season
By Danny Barletta
UConnHuskies.com
October 4, 2019
The 2009 team had a special year ending in a bowl victory over South Carolina. Photo: UConn Athletics
The 2009 UConn football team was one of the best in program history. The roster featured a lot of future NFL talent. The Huskies won a lot of big games that year, including a huge win over Notre Dame. The season is remembered both for the on-field accomplishments and the tragic death of cornerback Jasper Howard midseason that brought the team even closer together.
Alex Putterman: Being a sports reporter with no sports
By Danny Barletta
The Daily Campus
April 23, 2020
Alex Putterman is a journalist for the Hartford Courant. Photo: Hartford Courant
Alex Putterman is a sports reporter for the Hartford Courant. However, when COVID-19 hit, he transitioned from covering sports to covering the pandemic in Connecticut. For some sports reporters, such a transition could have been intimidating, but Putterman has taken it in stride.
The changing face of senior centers
By Danny Barletta
Newswriting II UConn
April 29, 2019
The Mansfield Senior Center. Photo: Danny Barletta
Senior centers have had to evolve a lot in recent years due to the expanding senior population. Seniors now have a wider range of wants and needs, and senior centers need to have the resources to accommodate that. The Mansfield Senior Center is a great example of these changes.