In the early days of the old Yankee Conference, UConn was the dominant program, winning 12 of the first 13 titles. That included the three championships in 1953, 54' and 55'. And they were led by New London's own Art Quimby, who led New London/Bulkeley H.S. to the state title in 1951. And the letters from College Coach's poured in...roughly over 70 schools were interested in the 6-5 post player. Kentucky, the national powerhouse had interest, but was under probation. Not interested. Holy Cross wanted him to attend prep school as they were building the team around Tommy Heinsohn. Quimby wasn't interested in waiting two years, especially with the War in Korea going on. A visit with Hugh Greer at UConn was in the works. He liked the rural environment and trout fishing nearby. So off to Storrs he went.
His three years of Varsity Basketball were as dominant and any UConn player ever. Averaging 16.7p and an eye popping 20.5 rebounds per game as a Sophomore. Where the Huskies went 17-4 and won the Yankees Conference. His Junior Year, 16.3p and even more boards, a nation high 588 (22.6 per game) where the Huskies made the NCAA Tournament, but lost to Navy 85-80...And in his Senior Year where the Huskies went 20-5 and made the NIT, Quimby pulled down a nation high 611 boards (24.4 per game) while averaging 23.2 ppg..
A 60-12 record with three conference titles. Quimby amassed 1,398pts (23rd) and 1,713 rebounds (1st). Among his highlights, 65 double doubles where he averaged a double-double of 17.5p-21.5rpg. Game highlights included three, 40 point games. 49 at BC in 1954, 46 at Maine and 43 at UNH in 1955. On January 11, 1955, Quimby hauled down a ridiculous 40 rebounds against BU at the Field House.
Following his UConn Career, he was offered an $7,800 contract to play with the Celtics. And later his rights were sold to Rochester. Quimby never played pro ball as the pay wasn't quite like today. Instead he returned to UConn to get his Masters in School Guidance. He became a guidance counselor, later an educational consultant with the state board of education. Later becoming an assistant superintendent and superintendent and eventually oversaw all of the state's vocational high schools and their employees. All the while staying involved in the Army Reserve, retiring as a colonel.
Art Quimby stayed active outdoors with golf, fishing and sailboating until his death in December,2010 at the age of 77. If there is an such a thing as unbreakable records with UConn Men's Basketball, the insane rebounding numbers Art Quimby put up in the early 1950's have stood the test of time and will likely never be broken. Raise a glass Husky Fans to "The Great" Art Quimby...