The nets were cut down, the streamers swept away and only one man’s name remained on the NJBIZ Brackets.
Frederick Alworth, an attorney with Gibbons P.C., watched his University of Connecticut Huskies dispatch the Butler Bulldogs in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship game at home, surrounded by family all clad in UConn gear.

“Nobody remembers how teams did during the season,” said Alworth, describing his first thoughts after the final horn sounded in Houston. “It’s really all about the tournament and closing it out. UConn proved that when a team gets hot, unbelievable things can happen.”
Alworth said the month of March was not only exciting because his Huskies “demonstrated they’re pressure players,” but because Gibbons participated in the East Regionals, which took place a short walk from the office, at the Prudential Center.
“Every year, more and more people get into March Madness, and it was great to have March Madness in Newark, across the street,” Alworth said. “Unlike many years, there was a real connection to the games here.”
Alworth was delighted about the positive attention Newark received for hosting the regional games, and said Gibbons felt “especially connected” to the tournament.
The all-Big East attorney — Alworth did his undergrad work at UConn and graduated from Seton Hall’s law school — said, “I’m so proud of the school, and proud to represent them in the NJBIZ Brackets. It’s been a tremendous March.”
Melinda Caliendo can be reached via e-mail at mcaliendo@njbiz.com