From the February 2010 issue of Our Moment, the UConn Foundation's e-newsletter.
Jonathan “Hutch” ’43 ’65 and Elizabeth Hutchinson have made a difference with every gift they’ve donated over the past 60 years. Through a lifetime of philanthropy, the Hutchinsons have accumulated $100,000 in gifts to support UConn soccer.
“Certainly we were pleased to hear that our donations had grown to $100,000. People who give smaller gifts over time should be encouraged. Our series of endowments have benefited UConn and our retirement income. The bottom line will be a modest legacy to a great University,” says Hutch.
The Hutchinsons were instrumental in establishing the Friends of Soccer booster club, which has helped grow the soccer program into one of the best in the country, says men’s coach Ray Reid (1997–present). In addition to gifts of cash, the Hutchinsons have established charitable gift annuities that give them income for life, and the principal balance ultimately will be used as a bequest to endow a scholarship for the women’s soccer team.
Hutch grew up in Bristol and enrolled at UConn in 1939. Soccer coach John Squires (1937–41 and 1946–68) recruited him to fill out the team roster, despite Hutch having no experience, and unwittingly inspired a new devotion. (See Hutch in the no. 2 jersey in the 1941 team photo (bottom right), front row, third from left.)
While team captain and starring at right wing, Hutch completed a B.S. in history. He later returned to earn a sixth-year diploma in educational technology. Mrs. Hutchinson, a native of Manchester, attended Syracuse University followed by nursing school at Yale University. The couple married in 1948 and had seven children. The Hutchinsons spent their careers in the Torrington school system, he as a social studies teacher and cross country coach and she as a school nurse.
For many years Hutch also brought news of the Huskies to western Connecticut. As a cross country coach, he promoted his students’ success by submitting articles to the Torrington Register-Citizen and Waterbury Republican-American. When he retired in the 1983, the papers asked him to continue reporting on another sport he knew exceptionally well: UConn men’s and women’s soccer.
Hutch praises the three coaches who made the men’s team what it is today.
“Coach Jack Squires laid the foundation. He truly changed my life in those four years, and in our friendship that lasted over 60 years. Coach Joe Morrone [1969–96] was a teacher, and still is, and an organizer of Friends of Soccer. We can’t thank him enough for many memorable times,” says Hutch. “Coach Ray Reid brought the team’s third national title in 2000, and his success has increased respect for Husky soccer. He has promised us another championship. I hear it in the wind.”
“Jon and Betty are two of the most giving people I’ve had the pleasure of associating with in my 40-plus years at UConn,” says Morrone. “Both willingly have given their time, energy, expertise and financial support to various programs over the years, especially to men’s soccer. They love our University, and are terrific models for others to follow.”
With perhaps an incomparable love for UConn’s soccer teams, Mr. and Mrs. Hutchinson, 88 and 90, respectively, still occasionally drive from their home in Concord, New Hampshire to attend games.
“Betty and Jon have spent their entire lifetime supporting UConn men’s soccer. Whether it be financially, spiritually or physically, the Hutchinsons have always been there to help. The men’s program has been like another one of their children. They are among the few people I know who have seen all three national championship teams—in 1948, 1981 and 2000—compete. Even today they still make the commute down from New Hampshire to watch the boys play,” Reid fondly remarks.
For more information about supporting the Division of Athletics, please contact the UConn Foundation’s development department.
