Connecticut Sun Franchise History
From Hoopedia
The Connecticut Sun became the first independently owned WNBA franchise in league history on January 28, 2003. Purchased by Mohegan Sun, the team had previously operated as the Orlando Miracle since 1999. Since joining the league, the Sun have been one of the WNBA’s most successful franchises. The team has reached the WNBA Finals twice, finished first in the Eastern Conference during the regular season three times and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals four years in a row. During the 2005 and 2006 seasons, Connecticut had the best regular-season record in the league, posting consecutive 26-8 marks. Those are the best records ever by an Eastern Conference teams, and only Houston and Los Angeles have ever won more games in a regular season. During the 2006 season, Connecticut also became the first team ever to have five players earn All Star status.
Key Dates:
April 22, 1998- The WNBA announce the addition of an expansion team in Orlando for the 1999 season.
December 15, 1998- The Orlando franchise announces that its nickname is the Miracle.
June 10, 1999- The Miracle tip off its first-ever regular season game in franchise history against the Houston Comets.
October 21, 2002- The Orlando Miracle announce that the team will relocate for the 2003 season.
January 28, 2003- Connecticut is announced as the destination for the Orlando Miracle franchise. The new team nickname is the Sun, a reference to the new owners- the Mohegan Sun.
March 7, 2003- Mike Thibault is named as the franchise’s new head coach.
May 24, 2003 The Connecticut Sun host their first regular season game at Mohegan Sun Arena against the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Sparks in front of a sellout crowd of 9,341.
August 30, 2003 The Sun win their first playoff series, defeating the Charlotte Sting 68-62 at the Charlotte Coliseum to complete a two-game sweep.
January 28, 2004 The Sun trade four-time WNBA All-Star point guard Shannon Johnson along with their second- and third-round draft picks in the 2004 draft to the San Antonio Silver Stars for the Silver Stars’ 4th, 16th and 29th picks.
March 25, 2004 The Sun acquire former UConn star Asjha Jones from the Washington Mystics for the eighth pick in the 2004 Draft in a trade that also involves the Phoenix Mercury.
April 17, 2004 The Sun draft Lindsay Whalen from the University of Minnesota with the fourth overall pick in the 2004 draft.
September 19, 2004 The Sun clinch their first-ever Eastern Conference Regular Season title with a win over the Indiana Fever in the last game of the regular season.
September 29, 2004 The Sun defeat the Washington Mystics, 76-56, to win the series and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second consecutive year.
October 3, 2004 The Sun win the first Eastern Conference Championship in franchise history by sweeping the New York Liberty in two games.
October 12, 2004 The Seattle Storm defeat the Sun, 74-60, in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals to win the series and become WNBA Champions.
May 21, 2005 The 2004 Eastern Conference Champion Connecticut Sun hold a banner-raising ceremony prior to their home opener against the Phoenix Mercury. For the third straight year, a sellout crowd watches the Sun defeat the Mercury, 85-68.
July 9, 2005 The Connecticut Sun host the 2005 WNBA All-Star game at Mohegan Sun Arena. Taj McWilliams-Franklin and Nykesha Sales represent the Eastern Conference team while head coach Mike Thibault coaches the Eastern Conference squad.
August 27, 2005 The Sun complete the regular season with a record of 26-8, the best finish by an Eastern Conference team in WNBA history.
September 10, 2005 The Sun win the Eastern Conference Championship for the second consecutive year when they defeat the Indiana Fever in the Eastern Conference Finals.
September 20, 2005 The Sacramento Monarchs win the WNBA Championship defeating the Sun, 3-1, in the best-of-five series.
May 20, 2006 The 2005 Eastern Conference Champion Connecticut Sun hold a banner-raising ceremony prior to their season opener against the New York Liberty. For the first time in franchise history, the Sun begin the season with a win, 91-74.
July 12, 2006 The Sun make WNBA history when a league-record five players are named to the All-Star Game at Madison Square Garden. The East, led by the Sun coaching staff, win for the first time ever, 98-82. Sun guard Katie Douglas takes home the MVP Award.
August 9, 2006 The Sun make it 12 straight wins, a franchise record, with a victory over the Indiana Fever. The 12-game winning streak is the third longest in WNBA history.
August 20, 2006 Sun head coach Mike Thibault is named WNBA Coach of the Year.
