R.I.P. Stanley Robinson
The Story: Former UConn star Stanley Robinson was found dead on Tuesday at a family residence in Birmingham, Alabama, at the age of 32.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Robinson, known affectionately as “Sticks,” was found unresponsive in the bedroom of a family residence on Tuesday evening by his mother. He was pronounced dead at the scene and there was no sign of foul play or trauma. An autopsy is pending as to the cause of death.
WHAT WAS STICKS UP TO? Robinson played for UConn from 2006-10 and his high-flying dunks and friendly demeanor made him a fan favorite. He was a second-round draft pick of the Magic in 2010 and played overseas for several years before an Achilles tendon injury put an end to his pro career. He was a frequent visitor to UConn and even visited St. Joseph and old coach, Jim Calhoun, and the Bluejays. Robinson was in the process of moving to Connecticut and Calhoun was helping him find a job in the area. He leaves behind three daughters.
CALHOUN ON ROBINSON: “He was just a really, really sweet kid,” he told The Courant. “The world was harsh for him, because they weren’t all like Stanley Robinson. He was such a caring, giving person.”
THE LEGEND OF STICKS: Ask around and everyone has a Sticks story. He was a fan favorite and a media favorite and despite his country backroad easy-going demeanor clicked with his fiery and irascible New England head coach in Calhoun. Robinson was kicked off the team for a semester and then worked in a scrapyard in Willimantic to prove to his head coach that he had the discipline. He returned and helped lead UConn to the Final Four in 2009, averaging more than 14 points per game during the second semester.
ROBINSON’S LEGACY: Robinson played in 126 games and scored 1,231 points, an average of 9.8 per game. He was one of the greatest athletes Calhoun has ever coached. On the court, Robinson was explosive and charismatic. Off the floor, he was gentle and soft-spoken and didn’t have a mean bone in his body. Rest in peace, Stanley.
Football Adds Game At Vanderbilt
The Story: The football team will play at Vanderbilt in 2021 and will also play a future home-and-home with Georgia State.
WHAT ARE THE DETAILS: The Huskies will visit Nashville on Oct. 2, 2021, and will play Georgia State on Sept. 9, 2023, with a return date of Nov. 2, 2024. The Huskies now have 10 games for the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
WHAT ABOUT 2020? The coronavirus continues to put the season in serious danger. UConn has had three opponents bail in Illinois, Indiana and Maine. The Huskies, in their first year as an independent, could have more games disappear if other conferences go to conference-only schedules. There is talk among non-Notre Dame independents — UConn, BYU, Army, Liberty, UMass and New Mexico State — to play each other and help fill gaps in games if a season is played.
