2024

Donovan Clingan cuts down the net after beating the Purdue Boilermakers 75-60 to win the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament National Championship game at State Farm Stadium on April 8, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

The University of Connecticut men’s basketball team has won another NCAA National Championship and electric field operations supervisor Bill Clingan was along for the ride to support the team's center, his 7-foot-2 son Donovan of Bristol, Connecticut.

On March 16, the team won the Big East men's tournament at Madison Square Garden, where Donovan had a double-double by halftime. 

Then on March 17, they were selected as the number one overall seed in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history.

On April 8, the Huskies beat the Purdue Boilermakers 75-60 to become back-to-back national champs.

“I feel like the luckiest dad in the world getting to watch Donovan play in the championship game for a second time,” Bill said. “Thanks to all my Eversource coworkers for cheering us, and UConn, on.”

On April 13, Bill marched in the victory parade with his fellow employees and their families.

Here are some photos Bill shared throughout his adventures:

2023

Donovan Clingan celebrates with his father and fans after defeating the San Diego State Aztecs during the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament National Championship game at NRG Stadium on April 3, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Logan Riely/Getty Images)

The University of Connecticut men’s basketball team won its fifth NCAA Division I national championship on April 3, 2023, with a 76-59 win over San Diego State in Houston at the NRG Center.

Among the crowd was Eversource Electric Field Operations Supervisor Bill Clingan. He was there to watch his 7-foot-2 freshman son Donovan play 10 minutes in the victory and score four points. He pulled down three rebounds, had a block and two steals in the win over the Aztecs. 

Donovan reacts after cutting down a piece of the net at NRG Stadium. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Bill was also in Las Vegas in March when UConn overwhelmed its fourth straight NCAA Tournament opponent and earned its first trip to the Final Four in nine years.

From Bristol to Las Vegas and Houston, Bill has gotten some great photos along the way.

Bill with actor and UConn supporter Bill Murray.

Bill, center, with Bobby Hurley, left, and Dan Hurley, UConn men's basketball coach, right.

Bill with the D'Amelio family.

Bill with UConn women's basketball associate head coach Chris Dailey. 

A Life-Saver

Just weeks before his son's championship run, Bill used his Eversource training to save a woman's life.

He and Donovan were at a restaurant in Glastonbury when he noticed that a woman was choking at another table.  

“I could tell she was having trouble, and people were starting to panic,” Bill said. “She wasn’t breathing. I’ve been at Eversource for 18 years, and everything I learned took over. I just did the right thing.” ​​​​​​​

Bill says he walked up calmly behind her, located her sternum and with one strong thrust, dislodged the food from her throat allowing her to breathe again.  

“It happened really fast,” he said. “I had just taken my CPR and first aid training again here at Eversource a few months ago, so it was fresh in my mind. It’s the second time I’ve used the Heimlich maneuver to save someone. I’m glad I was able to help.” ​​​​​​​​​​​

Everyone in the restaurant started cheering and clapping.