Former NFA coach and athletic director to receive major award, and other thoughts
Just thought I’d empty out my reporter’s notebook while wondering if Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark knows there is a difference between regular season hockey and Stanley Cup playoff hockey ...
*Congratulations to former Norwich Free Academy coach and administrator Gary Makowicki, who will receive a Gold Key from the Connecticut Sports Media Alliance at the 81st Gold Key Dinner on Sunday, October 22 at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington.
The Gold Key is the most prestigious award in Connecticut sports.
“No one is more deserving of an honor like that in my mind,” Norwich Free Academy athletic director Roy Wentowrth said.
Makowicki served as a coach and director of athletics at Norwich Free Academy for 37 years. He was an assistant basketball coach for 12 years and was the head coach of the girls’ track team for 23 years. His track teams won 10 Class LL state championships and three State Open titles with 12 undefeated seasons.
During his tenure, the track program had an eight-year unbeaten streak while winning 14 conference titles overall. From 1994-2001, NFA captured eight consecutive Class LL girls state track championships and two State Open titles. He finished with a 201-17 record in dual meets and 14 conference championships.
Makowicki was selected as the CHSCA and CITCA track coach of the year and in 2003 was the NHSACA Girls Track Coach of the Year.
From 1993 through 2015, Makowicki served as the Director of Athletics at NFA. He received the CAAD Distinguished service award, and the CHSCA Athletic Director of the year award. In 2015, Makowicki Gary was selected as the National High School Athletic Director of the year.
Makowicki has served as the commissioner of the Eastern Connecticut Conference and as chairperson on numerous committees for the Connecticut High School Coaches Association. He was inducted into the CHSCA Hall of Fame.
At the national level, Makowicki served as president and then executive director of the National High School Coaches Association.
Joining Makowicki in the Gold Key Awards Class of 2023 are Darien High School volleyball coach Laurie LaRusso, 1976 Olympian and American distance running record setter Jan Merrill-Morin, North Branford High School field hockey coach Babby Nuhn, and 27-year Major League Baseball umpire Terry Tata.
UConn roster shakeup
*Just two-and-a-half weeks after winning the school’s fifth national men’s basketball championship, UConn is going through a roster shakeup that would make the 1998 Florida Marlins blush. Gone are Jordan Hawkins (NBA Draft), Adama Sanogo (NBA Draft), Joey Calcaterra (out of eligibility), and the trio of Nahiem Alleyne, Richie Springs, and Yarin Hasson, all of whom joined the wild west transfer portal.
Tristen Newton and Andre Jackson have declared for the NBA Draft but are keeping their eligibility. The Huskies talented duo have until May 31 as an option to return to school.
With a top recruiting class headed to Storrs, there is no need for Huskies Nation to panic. Yet. After winning the 1997 World Series, the Marlins lost 108 games in 1998.
*As of Friday morning, the Boston Red Sox, picked to come in last place by almost every prognosticator in the country, had a better record than the Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres, St. Louis Cardinals and the same record (10-10) as the Los Angeles Dodgers.
*I can’t wait to read Fordham alum Jack Curry’s new book, “The 1998 Yankees: The Inside Story of The Greatest Baseball Team Ever.” The ‘98 Yanks, led by Tino Martinez, Paul O’Neil, Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, and David Cone, who won 20 games, finished an incredible 114-48 during the regular season before rolling through the playoffs, capped by a World Series sweep over the San Diego Padres.
Although calling them the “greatest ever” will certainly stir debates. I recall a baseball team during Father Bill’s Immaculate Conception CYO dynasty that posed on the lawn at Everett High School for a team picture with the New England championship trophy before the game against Rhode Island was even played!
*STUCK IN THE ‘70s: On April 23, 1975, Dwight Evans socked a homer in the first inning off Catfish Hunter, who was in his first season with New York, and rookie sensation Fred Lynn had two hits and four RBIs to lift the Boston Red Sox past the New York Yankees, 11-7, before 22,243 at Fenway Park. Roy White hit two home runs for the Yankees.
Jimmy Zanor can be reached at jzanor@norwichbulletin.com.
This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Norwich Free Academy's Gary Makowicki to get Gold Key, UConn shakeup
