Inside Label: 1999 UConn, NCAA Final Four Champions Cap by Top Of The World

The 1999 NCAA Basketball Championship was the first title won by Jim Calhoun and the University of Connecticut men’s basketball program. The Final Four featured four teams with tremendous talent and determination. UConn went up against the tough Duke Blue Devils in the title game, defeating them by a slim margin. The Huskies Richard Hamilton dominated the tournament. Hamilton was named the tournaments Most Outstanding Player and scored a tournament high of 145 total points. Hamilton padded his stock in the NBA draft through his tournament play and was chosen in the first round by the Washington Wizards.

This white cotton hat was constructed by Top of the World, a leading force in collegiate headwear. The hat is connected by six panels. The front graphic rests on the front two panels of the hat and serves to recognize the Huskies Championship title. The front graphic is thoroughly embroidered with the use of silver, white, aqua and royal thread. The UConn registered word mark rest at the top of the champions graphic. It is embroidered in silver and black onto a twill backing.

The 1999 Final Four registered logo is embroidered in detail on the right side panel.  The Top of the World logo is emblazed in silver thread on the left side panel.

The brim as a whole is white. The front of the brim is aqua dyed and is in the shape of a wave, outlined in royal embroidered thread. An aqua button rests at the top of the hat and four eyelets adorn the crown. The inside of the cap is lined in a black spandex band with the Top of the World tag stitched in the back.

The University of Connecticut remains a dominate fixture within collegiate men’s basketball. They would win their second NCAA title in 2004, once again under the leadership of their legendary coach, Jim Calhoun.

Text: Jared E. Wheeler