Husky Great Hanson Passes

Husky great and Waterbury native Tony Hansen has passed away at the
age of 63.

STORRS—With a heavy heart, it was announced that Tony Hanson, one of the most revered players in the history of UConn men’s basketball, passed away suddenly Sunday morning, Nov. 25, at the age of 63. A native of Waterbury who played at Holy Cross High School, Hanson's played at UConn spanned 1973-77, and produced statistics that remain impressive more than 40 years later. Following his departure from college, Hanson fashioned an equally impressive career as a basketball coach overseas.

Playing his entire UConn career under head coach Dee Rowe, the 6-5 guard-forward led the Huskies to a 73-38 overall record (.658) in his four years, including the 1976 ECAC New England Championship and a berth in the NCAA Tournament, advancing to the Sweet 16. Hanson also helped the Huskies earn invites to both the 1974 and 1975 National Invitation Tournaments.

Individually, Hanson was simply one of the finest players to ever wear a UConn uniform. In his senior year (1976-77), he was named the New England Player of the Year and U.S. Basketball Writers of America District I Player of the Year after averaging 26.0 points and 10.6 rebounds per game.

Hanson was a three-time honoree as an All-New England selection and was also recognized for three consecutive seasons on the National Association of Basketball Coaches All-District I Team and the USBWA All-District Team. As a junior in 1975-76, he was named to the ECAC New England Championship All-Tournament Team and the NCAA East Regional All-Tournament Team.

Hanson's impact at UConn was immediate as he was named Yankee Conference Rookie of the Year as a freshman in 1974 and was a two-time All-Yankee Conference First Team pick in his sophomore and junior seasons.

Hanson's 1,990 career points stood as the all-time UConn scoring record for 15 years and still ranks No. 3 on the all-time list. He still holds the UConn marks for field goals made (784) and ranks No. 2 in single-season scoring average (26.0). He completed his four collegiate seasons with career averages of 17.9 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. He produced 32 double-doubles during his career.

In 2001, Hanson was named by a vote of the fans to the UConn Men's Basketball All-Century Team and in 2006, he was part of the inaugural class of inductees to UConn's "Huskies of Honor" program, with his No. 42 placed on the wall of Gampel Pavilion. He is also a member of the New England Basketball Hall of Fame.

After completing his collegiate career, Hanson was a third-round draft choice of the New Orleans Jazz in the 1977 NBA Draft and enjoyed a successful professional playing career in Europe, competing for many years in Italy, France, Ireland and England.

It was as a basketball coach that Hanson continued his career within the game. Following his pro career, he became coach of the Tees Valley Mohawks, a top tier English basketball club team. In a 20-year coaching career at the highest level of senior men's basketball in England, Hanson's teams won numerous league, national and cup championships. At one point, he directed five consecutive National Trophy Championships – a record that still stands.

Hanson was not only a hero on the court, but off the court as well, using his unique ability to engage and enable the potential of teenagers with special needs. In 1997, he set up a non-profit organization called Reach for Success, now renamed as Hoop Dreams, part of a United Kingdom government youth initiative.

As a result of his tremendous community involvement, Hanson was placed on the Queens Honor List in 2006 to receive an MBE – Master of the British Empire, one of the highest honors that can be bestowed on regular citizens who reside in the UK.

In 2009, Hanson received the Red O'Neill Award from The UConn Club, a prestigious honor reserved for former UConn student-athletes who have gone on to a successful career.

Hanson, who split time living in both Connecticut and England, leaves behind his wife, Sandy, children Chris, Nicki, Greg, David and Alex, as well as numerous members of his extended family.

—Staff Reports