Montgomery honored as newest 'Husky of Honor'

It did not take long for Renee Montgomery to get a standing ovation from the Gampel crowd Sunday afternoon. In fact, the game hadn't started yet and was still minutes away.

In a pre-game ceremony - unknown to Montgomery - coach Geno Auriemma stood with Montgomery's parents as the senior guard's number (20) was revealed as the 13th member on the Huskies of Honor wall above the student section. Montgomery is the only player to be inducted while still playing.

If there were any questions about whether or not she is qualified, the game that followed answered them.

Montgomery led all Huskies in scoring with 20 points - 15 in the first half and added two steals.

Ultimately it was Montgomery's selection as a First Team All-American last season that earned her the distinction but it was certainly not the only reason.

Montgomery is currently seventh on the career scoring list and is one of only three players in UConn history to have 1,500 points and 500 assists, along with Jenn Rizzotti and Diana Taurasi.

Not only are her statistics impressive, but her durability is as well - she has started in 126 consecutive games.

Pittsburgh coach Agnes Berenato was quick to praise Montgomery's accomplishments.

"Renee Montgomery is the heart of that team," Berenato said. "Montgomery was given the same award that one of my former coaches (Shea Ralph) received. They are who you want to model your program after."

What made the honor especially meaningful for Montgomery was that her coaches, teammates and family went to great lengths to keep the ceremony a secret.

"I think the way in which I received it made it more special than what it would have meant originally," Montgomery said with her niece in her lap. "I had no idea that I was getting it, Kalana (Greene) did an amazing job of keeping it a secret for weeks and my family was here."

Greene, who is Montgomery's roommate, was responsible for getting tickets for the 18 members of her family.

"She's done a lot of great things here and I'm happy to be a part of it,"

Greene said. "I'm pretty sure she can't trust me anymore, but oh well."

Despite the fact that her name is alongside those of Rebecca Lobo, Taurasi and Sue Bird, there is one thing that they have that she does not - a national championship.

"I think it will give you some motivation to see that you have accomplished something and still have goals," Montgomery said. "I want to get a national championship. Seeing it up there every day will remind me that I have not gotten everything that I wanted."

Auriemma said that it was important to honor Montgomery while she was still playing and that this was the last opportunity to do so.

"It's something I've always wanted to do," Auriemma said. "It's so hard to get them back here once they leave and they get to share it with the people they play with and the fans that watch them play."

Aside from her production during games, the example she sets for the rest of the team could not be overlooked.

"You never have to get on her about not being ready for practice," Auriemma said. "She's the first one in and the last one out."

There still remains something about her that is hard for Auriemma do describe.

"She's something special," Auriemma said. "For a little guy - she's big."