Joseph Morrone

To the Morrone Family,

As a UConn Alumni ('83), I had the privilege of seeing many games during my Storrs years and meeting Joe when I ran a Soccer Tourney in the Towers Quad. He was responsible for beginning a soccer fan culture at UConn which carries to this day as I attend matches for my local MLS and USL teams. All comfort to you all during a difficult time.

Although I played soccer at Middlebury College, Joe Morrone was my first coach. Let me explain: busy as he was as the varsity coach at the College, Joe found the time to run a recreational program for the town kids, at the Rec Park (around 1961). The crowning achievement was to play at halftime of a College game, where I had to guard the 24' goal, unsuccessfully once. This did not spoil me for soccer! I went on to play, referee, and coach, winning championships with former Middlebury...

To Billy and the entire Morrone family,

I'm so sorry for the loss of your father, Big Joe. He was larger than life! I fondly remember him coaching our classmates on and off the field at Mansfield Youth Soccer, E.O. Smith and UCONN. At UCONN in 1981, I remember your goal and how proud I was of you and to know you were my friend as well as hear your dad remember the events with all his animation. He was a great man and I know he will live on through you and your siblings.

Please accept my condolences for your loss. One can never be prepared for the empty void that's left when a loved one dies. Our Creator promises to give you the strength to live each day without. He says "I have heard your prayers, I have seen your tears" . I will heal you. 2 Kings 20:5. -

All the Members of Joe Morrone's Family,

In this time of sadness please reflect on the tremendous impact that Joe, the Man and the Soccer Coach, had on so many people ( young and old ). He set standards in discipline, work ethic and dedication that players and fellow coaches are to this day trying to follow. I will always remember is commitment to do the best you can.

Allan S. Wilson
Soccer Coach
University of Hartford
1971 - 1986

I played soccer for Farmington High School during the early 1970s, and attended Coach Morrone's Connecticut Soccer School during the summers of 1972 and 1973 at the Choate Boys School in Wallingford, Connecticut. Each training day began with the coach singing, Good Morning, good morning to you. We're all in our places with sunshiny faces, and this is the way to start a new day! I recall playing soccer-tennis with the coach's sons, Joe and Billy. The object of the game was to kick the ball...

Dear Morrone Family,

Where to start? There are so many years and so many memories shared between our families and between single family members. So perhaps starting near the beginning might be best! My personal memories of Joe really began when Betty and I and some other women in the community began an exercise group at Betty's invitation at the Morrone's house at 7:30 AM many decades ago. Every week Joe had to wend his way through a bevy of women in exercise mode huffing and puffing...