Fansided

Picking the Sports Mount Rushmore for all 50 states

By Dave Stevenson

PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 02: Detail of baseballs during batting practice to the MLB opening day game between the San Francisco Giants and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on April 2, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 02: Detail of baseballs during batting practice to the MLB opening day game between the San Francisco Giants and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on April 2, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Connecticut

The first spot on Connecticut’s Mount Rushmore goes to the state’s most important sports person, Geno Auriemma. Auriemma has coached the University of Connecticut to a remarkable 11 national titles in women’s basketball, with 10 of those coming since 2000. Auriemma has also coached the Huskies to an unheard of 21 conference championships and 22 regular season titles. He also coaches USA’s women’s basketball team.

Julie Chu is one of the most successful women’s hockey players of all time. She is the second most decorated female athlete in Winter Olympics history with four medals (three silver and one bronze). Chu is also the all-time leader in points and assists in NCAA women’s hockey. She has definitely earned a spot.

NHL Hall of Fame defenseman Brian Leetch is a native of Connecticut. As one of the best defensemen ever, he deserves a spot on Connecticut’s Mount Rushmore. He had 1,028 points in 1,205 regular season games, and added 97 points in 95 playoff games.

The closest thing that women’s basketball has to LeBron James is Maya Moore, who played for the Huskies. Among Huskies, Moore is first in career points, second in rebounds, and eighth in assists. Moore has won three WNBA titles and has also had a ton of success while playing overseas.

Next: Indiana