© 2024 Connecticut Public

FCC Public Inspection Files:
WEDH · WEDN · WEDW · WEDY · WNPR
WPKT · WRLI-FM · WEDW-FM · Public Files Contact
ATSC 3.0 FAQ
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
WNPR News sports coverage brings you a mix of local and statewide news from our reporters as well as national and global news from around the world from NPR.

A Party On Pratt Activates Enthusiasm For UConn, Team USA Basketball Showdown

Joe Amon
/
Connecticut Public Radio
Christine Abate (left) and Julie Cook (right) came down to Hartford Monday night from their home in Hallowell, Maine for an exhibition between the UConn Women's Basketball team and Team USA. Before the game, they headed to a block party on Pratt Street.

The city of Hartford used a special exhibition between the powerhouse University of Connecticut Women’s Basketball team and the best American pros as an opportunity to showcase area businesses.

Team USA visited Hartford to play the Huskies in a tune-up for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
Before the game, Hartford's Pratt Street was open only to foot traffic for three hours. The idea was to give spectators a place to go in advance of a 7 p.m. tip-off at the XL Center.

Christine Abate came down with her wife Julie Cook from Hallowell, Maine for the exhibition.

“I’ve been a UConn fan forever and then with the USA team coming to town, I just really wanted to see it,” Abate said.

The UConn/Team USA bout was something of a homecoming for Abate: she used to live in Wallingford.

“I haven’t been in this area in over 25-30 years,” Abate said. “It’s kind of cool to step back a little in time. Last time I was in the building down the street, it was still the Civic Center.”

Jeff and Idalina Cultrera of Newington took a pre-game stroll down Pratt Street with their twin nine-year-old daughters Gabriella and Samantha.

“Hartford is such a great city,” Idalina Cultrera said. “I know we don’t get out here enough and it’s just great to see people come before an event and just spend some time enjoying the city.”

Credit Joe Amon / Connecticut Public Radio
/
Connecticut Public Radio
Jeff Cultrera 38, walks with his twin daughters (from left) Gabriella and Samantha 9, and his wife Idalina, 39, all of Newington, CT at a pre-game event on Pratt St in celebration of the Team USA-UConn Women's basketball game on January 27, 2020 in Hartford, Conn.

The event marked a big night for the Cultrera twins – both of whom are UConn basketball fans.

“I’m looking forward to see them play because I play basketball too.” Samantha Cultrera said. “It’ll help me get better.”

This was the second time in a year that the city’s Chamber of Commerce put on a block party on Pratt Street as the sports world descended on Hartford. Last March, Connecticut’s capital hosted the men’s NCAA basketball tournament for the first time since 1998. The street was closed to car traffic from noon to 9 p.m. on the two days games were played around the corner at the XL Center.

“There’s so many amazing events happening like this around the city and we just want to focus on driving people into the city, into the neighborhoods, and attending these awesome events,” said Shannon Mumley, director of small business and strategy, Hartford Chamber of Commerce.

Frankie Graziano is the host of The Wheelhouse, focusing on how local and national politics impact the people of Connecticut.

Stand up for civility

This news story is funded in large part by Connecticut Public’s Members — listeners, viewers, and readers like you who value fact-based journalism and trustworthy information.

We hope their support inspires you to donate so that we can continue telling stories that inform, educate, and inspire you and your neighbors. As a community-supported public media service, Connecticut Public has relied on donor support for more than 50 years.

Your donation today will allow us to continue this work on your behalf. Give today at any amount and join the 50,000 members who are building a better—and more civil—Connecticut to live, work, and play.

Related Content