The excitement of March Madness always draws passionate fans, but one celebrity face in the crowd has sparked extra curiosity: Bill Murray.
The legendary actor, known for roles in Ghostbusters and Groundhog Day, has been a regular at the NCAA Tournament, particularly at UConn Huskies games.
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Bill Murray can’t stay away from March Madness
While some may assume he’s simply a college basketball fan, his presence has a much deeper connection.
Murray has been a prominent supporter of UConn because of his son, Luke Murray, who serves as an assistant coach on Dan Hurley’s staff.
Over the past two seasons, the actor has been a fixture at tournament games, cheering on his son’s team as they made back-to-back championship runs.
Despite a heartbreaking exit this year in the second round against Florida, the Huskies’ recent dominance has given Murray plenty of reasons to celebrate from the stands.
Luke Murray has built an extensive coaching career, working under Hurley at Wagner, Rhode Island, and now UConn.
With deep roots in Connecticut, having attended St. Luke’s in New Canaan and Fairfield University, Luke Murray has been instrumental in the Huskies’ success.
As a result, Bill Murray has become a dedicated supporter, attending not just postseason matchups but also regular-season games and Big East Tournament contests.
He even accompanied his son to last year’s NBA Draft, showing his unwavering commitment to Luke’s coaching journey.
Murray’s dedication to UConn was evident this year when he traveled from Tokyo, where he was spotted at the Chicago Cubs vs Los Angeles Dodgers series game alongside rock star Jack White, straight to Raleigh, North Carolina, for UConn’s opening-round matchups.
His presence was a good omen for the Huskies in their first-round victory over Oklahoma, but their tournament dreams ended in a closely contested battle against Florida.
While UConn won’t be making another Final Four run this season, there’s little doubt that Murray will continue to be a staple at Huskies games as long as his son is coaching.
With UConn maintaining its place among college basketball’s elite, expect to see the Hollywood star courtside again next season, cheering on the team with the same enthusiasm fans have come to love.