This school knows basketball...
If you really know sports perhaps you'll know the answer to this question, "How many Division I schools have won both the men's and women's national basketball championship in the same season ?" The correct answer is... none prior to April 6, 2004...
It was on that night that the University of Connecticut female Huskies beat Tennessee 70-61 to capture their 3rd championship. Led by tournament MVP Diana Taurasi's 17 points, Geno Auriemma's Huskies ended their season 31-4 and remained a perfect 5-0 in national title games...
Just one night before that game Jim Calhoun's Huskies beat Georgia Tech 82-73 for the men's title. On the night of April 6th, 2004, the UConn's of Connecticut ruled college basketball. Once again the state of Connecticut was in the news yesterday when a Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and native son passed away. More on the life of Gene Pitney in my commentary...
| More April 6 Memories... 1868] Brigham Young marries his 27th and final wife (he always did say he would quit after 27)... 1889] George Eastman places Kodak Camera's on sale for the 1st time... 1909] Explorers Robert E. Peary and Matthew A. Henson become the 1st men to reach the North Pole (this was authenticated by the Navigation Foundation in 1989)... 1930] Hostess Twinkies are invented by bakery executive James Dewar (who celebrates by downing a scotch)... 1954] The 1st TV Dinner is put on sale by Swanson and Sons... 1957] Elvis Presley's "All Shook Up" is released... 1958] 28-year old Arnold Palmer wins the Masters in Augusta ("Arnie's Army" is born)... 1963] 16-year old Lesley Gore hears her record, "It's My Party" on WINS coming home from school... 1965] President Lyndon B. Johnson authorizes the use of ground troops in combat operations in Vietnam... 1971] Carly Simon and James Taylor meet at the Troubador in L.A... 1973] The Yankees' Ron Blomberg becomes the AL's 1st DH, walking in his 1st AB at Fenway Park in Boston... 1974] The Yankees who start sharing Shea Stadium with the Mets while Yankee Stadium is renovated, beat the Indians 6-1 in their 1st game there (Yankee Stadium will reopen in 1976)... 1975] Elton John is #1 with "Philadelphia Freedom"... 1977] "Dancing Queen" is #1 for ABBA (their only #1 hit)... 1979] Rod Stewart marries Alana Hamilton (ex-wife of George Hamilton) in Beverly Hills... 1980] Post It Notes are introduced... 1980] Gordie Howe's remarkable 26-year NHL career ends when at 52 he plays his last game and scores his 801st and final goal for the Hartford Whalers against his former Detroit Red Wings... 1987] Dodger VP Al Campanis is quoted as saying "blacks lacked the necessities to be managers" to Ted Koppel on "Nightline" (Campanis will soon lack the necessity of a job)... 1992] Science-fiction writer Isaac Asimov dies at 72... 1996) Wacky Albert Belle shows off the strength of his arm by hitting a Sports Illustrated photographer prior to a game... 1998] Legendary Country singer Tammy Wynette dies in her sleep in Nashville at 55 (Tammy is known as "The First Lady of Country Music" for having 18 #1 hits on the Country charts)... 1998] Dick Clark, Chubby Checker, Fabian and Lesley Gore appear on CBS-TV's "Murphy Brown"... 1998] Citicorp and Travelers Group announce a merger, creating the largest financial-services conglomerate in the world under the name "Citigroup"... 1999] Carmen Electra files for divorce from Dennis Rodman and asks for his wedding gown back. This marriage made in heaven lasted 6 months which prompts the question, "HEY CARMEN, WHAT WE'RE YOU THINKING??? 1999] Johnny Cash returns from a bout with pneumonia by electrifying a New York City audience with a surprise appearance at an all-star tribute in his honor... 2004] Connecticut's women's basketball team wins the NCAA title, one night after the male Huskies do it (see feature story)... [To ensure accuracy of dates and content, multiple reference sources are used in the timeline} Happy Birthday To... 1929] Andre Previn... 1937] Merle Haggard... 1937] Billy Dee Williams... 1938] Roy Thinnes... 1947] John ("Cliff Clavin" of "Cheers") Ratzenberger... 1952] Marilu Henner... Commentary... Harvey Mednick e-mails this: "Thanks for the 'We Are The World' mention, one of our proudest moments at R&R with Dwight (Case). As you know we went on to give an award to Ken Kragen at the NAB convention for his work on "USA for Africa" which "We Are The World" benefitted. A great time in our industry that, owing to corporate greed, can't happen again and an equally great effort to those in need"...Well stated Harv... Happy Trails to Gene Pitney who apparently died in his sleep at 65 in the Welsh capitol of Cardiff where he was performing. I can personally say I never heard a bad record by Gene. Everyone has his or her Gene Pitney favorites and these are mine in order: 1) "Half Heaven, Half Heartache", 2) "Every Breath I Take", 3) "I Wanna Love My Life Away", 4) "Town Without Pity" and at 5) "Only Love Can Break A Heart". Ironically as good as Gene Pitney's songs were he never reached #1 but he did write 2 #1 hits: "Hello Mary Lou" (for Ricky Nelson) and "He's a Rebel" (for Darlene Love & the Crystals)... Gene Pitney, a Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, class of 2002 will be missed. His music will live forever... [Today is the 96th day of 2006 with 269 days remaining in the year and 53 days until Memorial Day] |
