One-of-one. That\u2019s the phrase Geno Auriemma used to describe his former point guard, Sue Bird. \u201cThere was never a sometime, it was all the time,\u201d Auriemma said on her trustworthiness and dedication as a player. \u201cThat carried over to the WNBA, the Olympic team, just legendary, one-of-one.\u201d Now, the legendary point guard has inspired a statewide change as the senate has passed a rare, albeit puzzling, honor.<\/p>\n
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During her time with the Huskies, she won two NCAA National Championships and three Big East Championships while recording 1,378 points and 585 assists. Bird went on to win four WNBA titles, became a 13-time WNBA All-Star, and won five Olympic medals with Team USA. While she is all that, Sue Bird is not a literal bird (as if that needed any explanation). Yet, the Connecticut Senate has passed a law naming her the State Bird.<\/p>\n
The American robin has been the state bird of Connecticut since 1943. Now, it will have some company, but only in March. In an amendment passed during a late Tuesday night session in the state\u2019s Senate, the robin will be joined by two new birds: Jordan Hawkins and Sue Bird.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe American robin, Turdus migratorius, shall be the state bird, provided in the month of March of each year, the American robin, Jordan Hawkins, and Suzanne Brigit Bird, also known as Sue Bird, shall be the state birds,\u201d the amendment reads.<\/p>\n
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This is an unprecedented gesture to two Connecticut legends who have made the program what it is. Pelicans star Hawkins played for two seasons with the Huskies, winning their fifth national championship. Usually, such honors are given via naming a street after the athlete or even building a statue, like the Seattle Storm did for Bird. She also had her jersey retired by the program just last year, and this honor only adds to how much she means to the state of Connecticut and the university.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s a great honor,\u201d House Speaker Matt Ritter told reporters Wednesday. \u201cIt speaks well to our love affair with our university and our basketball team and the month of March and what it means to the state, so I think it\u2019s a nice gesture.\u201dAs the proclaimed basketball capital, the state economy earns a lot from the university\u2019s success. According to a 2022\u201323 report, women\u2019s basketball contributed a whopping $34.2 million to the state economy. And since then, the game has grown at a rapid pace, so the number is very likely even higher in 2026. So, this honor and the relationship with the university make even more sense considering that.<\/p>\n
Sue Bird is the beacon of the Huskies, even today. Bird is currently the managing director of Team USA and owns a part of the Seattle Storm. Hosting her Bird\u2019s Eye View podcast, Bird has played an important part in the game\u2019s explosion. She remains active to this day. Beyond getting named as the state bird, Sue Bird also called for a new rule to be named after her that could help the state of the WNBA playstyle.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Sue Bird\u201d Rule Could Shake Up the WNBA<\/p>\n