Baker, currently an assistant coach with the National Basketball Association’s Milwaukee Bucks, is being honored with the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters in recognition of his achievements on and off the court. The award will be given during the afternoon undergraduate ceremony on Sunday, May 17, at the PeoplesBank Arena in downtown Hartford.
“I started at 17 years old at the University of Hartford,” Baker said in a recent interview. “Everything started from there—being an all-star, the NBA, and now being a world championship basketball coach. But all those things couldn’t have happened if the University of Hartford hadn’t given me that opportunity.”
In his time at UHart from 1989 to 1993, Baker garnered All-America honors two seasons in a row. He scored a single-season school-record 792 points over 28 games during the 1992–93 season, a mark that still stands to this day. Drafted from UHart into the NBA by the Bucks in 1993, Baker played for six teams in his 13-year NBA career and was a four-time All-Star. He was also a member of the gold-medal-winning 2000 U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team.
The speaker at the undergraduate Commencement ceremony is Kathy Behrens ’85, president for social responsibility and player programs for the National Basketball Association—a longtime friend, supporter, and colleague of Baker with a shared connection to the University of Hartford.
“This is a great full-circle moment for Vin and for the University,” Behrens said. “Not only is Vin one of Hartford’s most celebrated alums; he is also one of the most respected people in the NBA. As a player and now as a coach, Vin has distinguished himself across decades in the league. His character and story of resilience have earned him the admiration of fans as well as current and former players, coaches, and executives.”
Vin Baker, Milwaukee Bucks Assistant Coach“I started at 17 years old at the University of Hartford. Everything started from there—being an all-star, the NBA, and now being a world championship basketball coach. But all those things couldn’t have happened if the University of Hartford hadn’t given me that opportunity.”
Baker has a long history of philanthropy, founding several charitable organizations to advocate for causes including mental health awareness and the education and personal development of young people. His Vin Baker Recovery Center offers support to those battling addiction in the Greater Milwaukee region. He told the story of his life and career in and out of the NBA in his bestselling memoir, God and Starbucks.
In recognition of Baker’s enduring legacy, the University of Hartford will name its new outdoor athletics and recreation complex, scheduled to open in the fall, in his honor. Alumni supporting the project cite Baker’s collegiate athletic career as a prominent and unforgettable part of their time on campus. Other committed supporters include the Milwaukee Bucks organization and NBA teammates and colleagues.
Featuring outdoor tennis, basketball, and pickleball courts, the complex will allow UHart to expand its rapidly growing club and intramural sports offerings. It will also provide additional training and competition space for the University’s intercollegiate NCAA Division III student-athletes.