Named after his father, this website is dedicated in memory of Joe Connor. Because if it wasn't for the late Joe Connor III, there would be no Mr. Sports Travel! An avid sports fan, Joe Connor III was a long-time season ticket holder of the Hartford Whalers (now Carolina Hurricanes) of the National Hockey League (NHL), going back to their days in the World Hockey Association (WHA) as the New England Whalers. Although they were succesful in the WHA, the Whalers often struggled in the NHL, sometimes earning nicknames from Bruins and Rangers fans as "The Hartford Failures" and "The Fail Whale." Nevertheless, Joe Connor III remained loyal to his home state team, as well as his other favorites: the New York Yankees and Dallas Cowboys. Yet his No. 1 "team" was his family, and it was the father-son bond that gave birth to Mr. Sports Travel. He and his father would spentless countless hours enjoying sports, from Whalers games to road trips up to Fenway Park and to Connecticut Minor League Baseball to the annual PGA golf tournament that came to Hartford each summer. Joe Connor III also was a youth hockey coach, educating his son and other aspiring athletes in the community. Additionally, the father of Mr. Sports Travel was one of the most feared adult, slow-pitch softball hurlers in the Constitution State! As starting pitcher for the Peter Pan Cafe, Joe Connor III left batters dazed with his slick, slow-pitch craftsmanship! The results: multiple adult men's softball championships over the rival Beacon Cafe in the sweaty Hartford summers! Mr. Sports Travel was bat boy and scorekeeper and remembers the post-game celebrations at the cafe! Joe Connor III supported his son no matter the sport or the season, from Little League to American Legion baseball to wiffle ball in the backyard, including pretending to be Ned Martin (then the TV play-by-play annoucer of the Red Sox). Summer also featured road trips to hockey camps, including up to Canada. Come winter, it was frequent travel hockey road trips across Southern New England, from the youth to prep school level. During the drives, they'd share sports stories and listen to live sports broadcasts on the radio. Mr. Sports Travel's dad also had his back as he played youth football, snowed and water skied, and varsity lettered in not just hockey but cross country and track and field too. The incredible life Mr. Sports Travel has enjoyed would not have been possible with his dad! And if you're wondering about the choice for a green background color for this website, now you know! Long live the Whalers!
Above, video link to a feature story about Joe's special relationship with his father
