"When we started this journey, since I've gotten here 9 years ago, if somebody would have told you that in 2009 you were gonna be playing Notre Dame people would be -- 'that'll never happen'," Head Coach Randy Edsall said.

But, in turn, it's happening. The Huskies and fighting Irish will play each other in South Bend in 2009.
And, they've nearly completed a 6 year contract for a home and home series which will start in 2011.

But, as part of that deal, UConn's home games won't be at Rentschler field, but in Massachusetts or New York. That part of the deal -- to play the home games away -- didn't sit well with some state legislators and fans.

"I just really could never feel what all the fuss was all about," Coach Edsall said.

Opponents of the deal say Rentschler Field was built with public money and UConn shouldn't be taking fans to another tax base for any so-called home game. Meanwhile, UConn argues that in the long run it helps the program grow to where it ultimately wants to be.

"I think our people have come to realize that we're very early in the development of our Division 1-A Big East program and that we do have more steps to take and it's gonna take more time for us to achieve all the goals that we have," Athletic Director Jeff Hathaway said.

"I'm in charge of trying to do what's best for this program and to me, to grow and develop this program further, to places where people never thought we could get to, that's what it's all about," Coach Edsall said. "And to know that if you go to Notre Dame, you're gonna be playing on national TV -- we play them in our home game, we're gonna be on national TV and you're looking for that exposure."
 
The Huskies are banking on that exposure turning into more fans-- and a better recruiting base. "It's just a good situation for us. This is the only team, and we've talked about this on numerous occasions, that we wouldn't do this with any other team," Coach Edsall said.

The Notre Dame game won't be part of the UConn home season ticket package. But, season ticket holders will be guaranteed 6 games at Rentschler Field those years and have priority in purchasing the UConn v. Notre Dame ticket.
           
"I believe that when we play that first game at Notre Dame that the UConn fans will be very excited," Hathaway said. "And as I've said and Randy has said, you don't have the opportunity to beat somebody until you have the opportunity to compete against somebody."