The Norwich Bulletin-Record Basketball Tournament
Known by all as the B.R. Tournament, was the premier post season tournament in New England and possibly the east coast. The first tournament was held in 1938 and it continued for over 40 years, ending in the early 1980’s.
For the entire 40 plus years of its existence, the tournament’s director was its founder, Lester Pingree. During those 40 plus years, more than 6,000 players participated in more than 500 games. Many teams came from beyond the borders of CT and many of the team sponsors payed their players to play. The tournament was held in March, after the college basketball careers ended for most senior classman and thereby allowing them to accept payment to play. Every year the tournament showcased some of the best college basketball seniors from colleges around New England.
Some of the teams that make up the list of those best remembered by the fans are; Marco Polo Explorers, Milford Chiefs, Don Coyle’s House of Champions, Shyma Club of Taftville, and Ogulnick Jewelers. Ogulnick’s was owned by local business man Harry Ogulnick who started sponsoring B.R. teams in the early 1960’s and his teams were always competitive and made up primarily of players from outside of this area. The tournament provided a big stage for local talent as well and many of them held their own against some of the best college players.
There were many players who played in the B.R. that went on to play professional basketball in the NBA or in Europe. Some of those names are Marvin Barnes of Providence College, Jack “The Shot” Foley of Holy Cross, Tony Hanson of UConn, Bob Bigelow who played for the Celtics, New London County natives Wayne Lawrence and Toby Kimball among others.
The Norwich Bulletin-Record Tournament should always be remembered as one of the most noteworthy sporting events in the history of Norwich.
The Norwich Invitational
Since 1926, golfers from throughout New England and New York have been coming to the Norwich Golf Club the third weekend in July to participate in the Noyes Memorial Golf Tournament. It is the only true Match play tournament in the State, other than the Connecticut Amateur.
The tournament began in 1926 when Charles Noyes of Brooklyn, N.Y., dedicated a silver cup, in the name of his mother, to honor the game of golf. During the early years of the tournament, qualifying was held on Thursday, with match play on Friday and Saturday, with a 36-hole medal play on Sunday. Throughout the 1930’s the tournament grew in stature and prestige bringing in the finest amateur and collegiate golfers.
The first Norwich golfer to win was in 1940 when Henry Gromko was able to bring the championship to his home course. The next Norwich Golfer to put his name on the Board was Tom Tangari in 1964 followed by an all Norwich finalists in 1974. The list of winners is preserved on the Boards within the vestibule of the Norwich Golf Course along with the Noyes trophy.
In 1978 the City of Norwich purchased the golf course and began making full scale improvements to the general layout and irrigation system along with a new club facility.
Since then, the tournament has continued to showcase the best of Eastern Connecticut Golf and beyond.
Golden Age of Girls’ Sports at NFA
During a stretch from 1990 through 2002, Girls Sports at NFA experienced outstanding success, most notably at the state level. In particular, there were six programs that won multiple state championships. The basketball team won 5 state championships during this time while numerous players went on to have successful careers at major Division 1 schools. Three of the players were selected as the State player of the year. The program set a state record for most consecutive wins. The program won additional state championships in 2009 and 2010. Cheerleading won a state championship in 2001. Gymnastics were state champions in 96, 97, 98, 99, 2000, 2001 and 2002. A string of 7 consecutive state championships, while also winning several New England Titles. Over the course of this time frame, several state scoring records were broken including the highest team score ever recorded. Many of the Gymnasts won State individual titles and earned All-New England recognition. The Indoor Track program won the state championship in 2001.
The success also included the Cross-Country program. The teams won 5 state championships and have 9 total in their history. Many of these runners also competed on the track team that experienced an unparalleled level of success. Ten state championships were won by the track program, with another 5 after 2002. Many of these athletes set school, state and New England records. The program had an 8-year undefeated record including at the state championships.
During this 12-year span, 31 state championships were won by girl’s programs. NFA was the first school to win the Cross-Country, Indoor Track and Outdoor Track titles in the same year. In 2001, six NFA girl’s programs won state championships. Many of these programs continued with this success in subsequent years with VB also winning a state championship in 2008, bringing the total state championships for girl’s programs to 45.
NFA-New London Football Rivalry
The NFA—New London High School football rivalry started in 1875 and has been played 156 times, including the exciting 2017 game. The rivalry was originally played between NFA and the Bulkeley School, until the 1951 game, when the New London High School Whalers were formed. It is the oldest high school football rivalry in the country.
The rivalry started just after the formation of the game of football, which lead to some odd scores and happenings.
The 1889 game was a NFA 38-0 victory, but ended as the punted football was lost in a snow squall. The 1897 game was another NFA win 84-0 and the 1902 Wildcats were leading 130-0 at halftime, when Bulkeley threw in the towel.
As the game of football evolved and rules and equipment changed, the games become more competitive and from 1900 to 1940 the rivalry grew in crowd size and intensity.
The great 1945 NFA state championship team posted a 7-2 win over Bulkeley.
There have been many great games in the rivalry and many people believe the 1968 game was the best high school football game ever in eastern Connecticut. The Whalers held on to win 37-33.
The rivalry grew more interesting, as former NFA assistant coach Jim Buonocore, became the head coach at his alma mater, New London High School in 1969.
There have been many great players and staff members from both schools, who were part of this rivalry and have made great contributions on and off the football field.
NFA greats include, Gil Bouley, John Morosky, Ernie Rokowski, Don Scott, Coach Jim Giordano, Athletic Director Bob MacPhail, Jimmy Justice, J.J. Justice, Matt Shaughnessey and Coach Jemal Davis.
The New London greats include, John Ellis, Tommie Major, Mike Foye, Tim and Jim Lewis, Ambrose Fletcher, Jamal Johnson, Jordan Reed and Athletic Director Sal Amanti.
In 2000, the athletic directors at both schools decided the rivalry needed a permanent date. They believed a special game deserved a special date, therefore the game was moved to Thanksgiving Day. 335
Rose Arts Race
The 10.47 miles Rose Arts Road Race was held for 31 years, from 1967 to 1997. The race began and ended at Chelsea Parade. The course route took the runners through Norwichtown, Taftville, Greeneville, downtown Norwich, and finally along McKinley and Broadway Avenues. The course was extremely challenging, with long upgrades throughout. The race was held on a Sunday in June, usually under sunny, warm, and humid conditions.
Throngs of runners would toe the starting line yearly. The fields included nationally ranked caliber runners, runners entering their very first road race, and many other runners of varying abilities. With pride, many hopefuls would announce “I’m running in the Rose Arts Race this year”. Boasting rights went to all those who achieved their goal of making it to the finish line. It was a big deal and it was a great event for the City of Norwich.
1968 Boston Marathon winner, Amby Burfoot, won the race five. John Vitale equaled Amby’s win total with five wins of his own. John Flora set the course record of 52:11 with his only entrance in 1979. Carla Thompson dominated the women’s field with seven titles. The course record of 61:16 was set in 1993 by Mary Lynn Currier.
The Norwich Sports Hall of Fame inductees have a long history with the race. Our own Sue Hoagland Makowicki won the second women’s race in 1974. Mr. Rose Arts, better known as Tim Smith, is the only runner to complete all 31 races, with four top five and twenty top ten finishes. Tim also finished first seven times in the 40+ division. Bill Marshall had multiple top ten finishes as did Joe Banas. Chris Hansen also had multiple top ten finishes. Bill Krohn finished second in 1993 when he returned for his only Rose Arts appearance. Kevin Crowley and Rob Huntington, two early years entrants, also ran their share of races. Lastly, Roger Marien was the director of the race during the early years.
Unfortunately, with the folding of the Rose Arts Festival in 1998, the race was no longer held. The memories of one of the premier road races, however, live on. 357
Little League World Series – 1965
In July-August of 1965, the Norwich American Senior Little League All-Stars made history. The players, ages 13-16, were John Herz, Doug Smith, Mike DeBartolo, Bruce Tedeschi, Billy Frye, Rod Magoon, Paul Thornton, Ken Frischburg, Craig Malogrides, Bill Chornoby, Brian Glenney, Ron Perrault, Pete Slosburg and Dick Joray. The team was managed by Ray Peccini and coached by Jack Lonardelli.
The Little League All-Star team won eight games in a row through single elimination tournaments and earned a trip to the National World Series in Des Moines, Iowa where it placed third. That same summer the new Little League Complex, designed by architect Dino Malogrides, opened on Otrobando Ave..
The team’s journey began in July with a four game winning streak in the state tournament with wins over Bridgeport East and West, Norwich National, and Thompsonville. In August they won the New England Tournament with wins over Rhode Island and Massachusetts. In the Eastern regional Tournament they posted wins over New Jersey and Pennsylvania. In the National Senior Little League World Series, they lost their first game 4-0 to Texas then posted a final game 9-7 win over Indiana. They finished the World Series in third place with a 1-1 record.
Not since the summer of 1965 has a Norwich Little League team achieved national standing in baseball. The proud team returned home to Norwich to their beautiful new baseball complex, a downtown parade, and memories that will last a lifetime. Adding to their special accomplishment was a 50th anniversary reunion in 2015 attended by the players, their families and friends. The team reminisced, told stories, and shared life events with each other as they surrounded the 94 year old Ray Peccini for endless pictures. The special Little League banners displayed for this reunion have long faded but the glory of the summer of 1965 will shine forever.
Southern New England Tennis Championship
The Southern New England Tennis Championship was a premier event held yearly at the recreation field tennis courts, later known as the Armstrong Courts, in Mohegan Park. The tournament began in July of 1959 in conjunction with the Norwich’ Tercentinary celebration. It became a community sponsored event as players were housed throughout the area and fed meals at the courts supplied by locals. The tournament continued for decades, with the last event being held in the 1990’s.
Through the work of Steve Armstrong and his faithful legion of helpers, including one of Norwich’ greatest volunteers Joe Lonardelli, the field grew to more than 100 entrants for the singles tournament. The tournament attracted many high- ranking players from throughout New England, New York, and some Eastern seaboard states. Through the years, players hailed from the major cities of Philadelphia, New York City, Providence, Boston, and New Haven, as well as many smaller cities and towns. Many collegiate players also entered. At one time or another, every Ivy League school was represented, as well as national powers Ohio State, the University of Miami, North Carolina, and the University of Texas. Occasionally, the field took on an international flair. Players from Columbia, South America, Argentina, New Zealand, and Japan participated.
Dave Stockton, former number-one player at the University of Oklahoma and the Big Eight tennis champion, stayed at the Silverman household located near the courts when he entered the tournament. Dave took home the 1966 winner’s trophy. He met his future wife Diane while playing in the tournament and after they married they made their home in Norwich.
In 1984, David Coletti, a sophmore at Boston University teamed up with recent NFA graduate Mislav Coric to claim the doubles crown. The duo was unseeded but prevailed in the quarters, semis, and finals, all in three sets. It was the first time a Norwich native won a men’s title. The women’s tournament began in 1966. Norwich’ Dorothy O’Neil won the first three titles.
Many other highly ranked players made appearances at the Armstrong Courts. Players liked the clay surface and enjoyed coming to Norwich to participate in the Southern New England Tennis Championship. 359
Senator Thomas J. Dodd Memorial Stadium
Senator Thomas J. Dodd Memorial Stadium was built in 1995 and opened with great fanfare to the crack of the bat of the Norwich Navigators, NY Yankees AA affiliate. The stadium is named for Eastern Connecticut native Thomas Dodd who was a U.S. Senator and Representative from Connecticut, and the father of U.S. Senator Christopher Dodd. It was the home of the Navigators for ten years while fans watched David Cone, Roger Clemens, Dwight Gooden, Bernie Williams, Daryl Strawberry, and other baseball greats grace the field. Dodd Stadium hosted the 12th and final Double-A All-Star Game on July 10, 2002, in front of a standing-room-only crowd of 8,009. The three AA leagues held their own separate All-Star Games starting in 2003, with Dodd Stadium hosting the Eastern League game once again on July 11, 2007. From 2006 to2009, the team was the AA affiliate of the SF Giants named the Connecticut Tigers. From 2010 to the present, Dodd Stadium became the home of the Connecticut Tigers of the New York–Penn League.
Although primarily used for professional baseball games, the stadium has also been the site of the New England Collegiate All-Star Game; the Big East, A10, NEC Conference Baseball Tournaments; UCONN baseball games; several concerts including the Beach Boys, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, and Clint Black/Dwight Yoakam; and a TNA Wrestling event. During the fall of 2006, the stadium was used as the setting for the ESPN miniseries The Bronx Is Burning. The stadium is also used by local high school, American Legion and little league teams for their baseball events.
As The Day sportswriter Mike DiMauro recently wrote: “But then there’s the idea of family entertainment — more than just a ballgame — that’s quite engaging. Kids run the bases, enjoy other areas of entertainment and eat ballpark food. Adults can hear the endearing crack of the wooden bat rather than the annoying ping of aluminum. Prices are affordable.” That’s Dodd Stadium!