Sophomore University of Connecticut forward Sarah Strong plays against University of North Carolina in Fort Worth’s Dickies Arena following a week of training in Texas Wesleyan’s Sid Richardson gymnasium. [Photo courtesy Rambler alumni Alexis Bernal]

Texas Wesleyan’s Sid Richardson Gymnasium hosted the University of Connecticut (UConn) Huskies women’s basketball program for practice sessions during the ‘Sweet Sixteen’ round of March Madness.  

From March 26 – 28, the Huskies stayed in Fort Worth ahead of their round of 16 matchup in Dickies Arena. Before their match against the University of North Carolina Tar Heels, the Huskies sharpened their skills inside the Sid Richardson Gymnasium.  

“It’s just cool having programs that are highly regarded [and] very successful [here]—I think it’s neat deal for us to be able to be around it,” Rams Athletic Director Ricky Dotson said.  

The Sid Richardson Gymnasium is one of two basketball courts in Fort Worth with a regulation college three-point line—the other being Texas Christian University’s court. Dotson said proximity to UConn’s downtown Fort Worth hotel and the Dickies Arena as well as the ability to maintain a low profile were the main factors for choosing Texas Wesleyan campus as their practice site. 

“I think they can fly under the radar here,” Dotson said. “[The Huskies] are here on a business trip, and they’re trying to take care of business.” 

Throughout UConn’s stay, media outlets were not allowed to cover their practices nor interview players and coaches. Anna Labonte, director of communications for UConn’s women’s basketball program, emphasized the importance of the Huskies’ closed practice.

“Our practices are closed to the media,” Labonte said in an email. “The NCAA provides each team with a limited amount of practice time on the playing court, so it’s standard for teams to find off-site practice courts for additional practice time.” 

Senior Rams basketball guard and business management major Noah Williams expressed pride in having the number one team in the nation train on the same court as him.  

“I was just like ‘what the heck there’s no way,’” Williams said. “I was really surprised, we were shocked. In a way, I felt a little more pride in our gym.” 

First-year exercise science major Morgan Shelton waited outside of the gym for over an hour to watch the practice and get photos with the UConn players, staff and even Paige Bueckers who visited Texas Wesleyan campus to cheer on her former teammates. 

“It was surreal,” Shelton said. “Watching the difference between our level of basketball here at NAIA—it’s insane.”

Along with UConn, the Vanderbilt University and University of Michigan women’s basketball teams sent requests to practice in the Sid Richardson gymnasium. Time conflicts prevented the requests from being fulfilled.  

The Huskies competed against the Tar Heels on Mar. 27 at Dickies Arena after three days spent at the Sid Richardson Gymnasium. The Huskies demolished the Tar Heels [63 – 42] and remained undefeated. They headed into the ‘Elite Eight’ round of March Madness where the No. 1 Huskies went on to defeat the No. 6 Notre Dame Fighting Irish [70-52] at Dickies Arena on Mar. 29 at 12:00p.m. 

The Huskies will compete in the March Madness final four at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona on Friday, April 3.