Legendary UConn men's soccer coach Joe Morrone died Wednesday night after a bout with cancer. He was 79.
Morrone elevated the Huskies to the status of national powerhouse, a standard continued by his successor, Ray Reid. From 1969 to 1996, Morrone won 422 games, three Big East championships and three Final Fours.
UConn reached the pinnacle in 1981, defeating Alabama A&M in overtime to win the national championship.
One of Morrone's greatest contributions to the UConn men's soccer program was the founding of the Friends of Soccer organization. Together, Morrone and Friends of Soccer helped raise more than $2 million in support of the program, and members have made other important impacts on the program.