The home where Geno Auriemma built a college hoops dynasty has witnessed history, and the legends have returned to savor it. Not just one or two—63 former Huskies gathered at the arena. From Rebecca Lobo, who helped UConn secure its first national title in 1995, to the latest star, Aaliyah Edwards, they all converged on Storrs. But why?

It wasn’t just about the team’s victory—it was about the throne’s owner.

On November 20th, UConn’s basketball team recorded an 85-41 win against the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights. With that, Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma broke the all-time NCAA victories record, all in front of a staggering assembly of star power. Some of the greatest names in basketball history—Maya Moore, Sue Bird, Napheesa Collier, and even Diana Taurasi—came back to celebrate.

Despite their Olympic gold medals and their transformative impact on women’s basketball, they were Huskies once again. But witnessing this historic win in front of his dynasty wasn’t the only highlight for Geno. To make the occasion even more special, Auriemma received a unique gift from Nike.

According to an X (formerly Twitter) post on November 20th by Maggie Vanoni, Nike presented Geno and associate head coach Chris Dailey with a commemorative ladder. “Nike is here to present Geno and CD a gift… a commemorative ladder that appears to be etched with their national championship years,” read the post.

Couldn’t get better! Having all of his accomplishments—11 championship wins, 23 Final Four appearances, and six perfect seasons—immortalized is a tribute truly fitting for a legend like Geno Auriemma. But if you’re wondering about Nike’s connection to Geno?

It’s a relationship that goes back to 2016.

That year, Nike’s co-founder and chairman, Phil Knight, took the time to publicly celebrate Auriemma’s historic achievements. After UConn secured its 11th national title under Geno’s leadership, Knight penned a heartfelt letter that reflected his admiration for the coach and his impact on women’s basketball.

In the letter, Knight praised Auriemma for reshaping the sport and transforming the perception of female basketball players. “She’s no longer a charming pioneer,” Knight wrote, referring to the modern female athlete. “She has been transformed into a hero.” His words struck a chord, perfectly encapsulating the legacy Auriemma had built through icons like Maya Moore, who redefined the forward position, and Diana Taurasi, the most decorated Olympic basketball player in history.

However, as Knight acknowledged, success wasn’t handed to Auriemma. “Your success wasn’t exactly handed to you… but succeed you did,” he wrote, highlighting the coach’s perseverance. When Auriemma took over as UConn’s head coach in 1985, the program had experienced only one winning season. Fast forward to today, and it’s a powerhouse synonymous with excellence.

Knight’s admiration didn’t stop with words. In 2016, Nike celebrated UConn’s 11th championship by releasing a special edition T-shirt. The then-roster was also gifted exclusive KD8 sneakers in gray, white, navy, and red, complete with gold swooshes. The words “National Champs” were embroidered on the tongue, and “11” was proudly marked on the heels.

Moving on, Nike’s recent gesture—a commemorative ladder for Geno and associate head coach Chris Dailey—proves their commitment to honoring Auriemma’s enduring legacy. After all, this isn’t just a coach—it’s the coach who helped create a dynasty of legends.