The New Canaan Old Timers Association, an organization dedicated to preserving the town’s athletic legacy, is holding its signature annual event Sunday.
The nonprofit organization’s 41st Annual Honoree Ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. at Waveny House (register here).
We put some questions to Terry Dinan, the Old Timers’ vice president and historian.
Here’s our exchange.
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What is the New Canaan Old Timers Association?
From a recent New Canaan Old Timers’ Honoree Ceremony at Waveny. L-R: Bill Brown, Terry Dinan and Tom McInerney. Contributed
Terry Dinan: The New Canaan Old Timers Association was founded in 1982 by a group of longtime residents who wanted to preserve and honor the town’s athletic legacy. The organization’s mission is to recognize former athletes, coaches and sports figures. The Old Timers Association is dedicated to raising money for the Vin Iovino Scholarship, which supports current New Canaan High School athletes and contributing to other sports-related charitable causes. Over the years the Old Timers has become a cornerstone of the community, hosting signature events such as the fall Honoree Ceremony at Waveny, a summer golf outing and the Homecoming Pancake Breakfast – all under the motto “Keeping the Past Alive.”
Some very familiar names on this year’s list of honorees. Tell us a little bit about each of them.
This year’s honorees reflect the breadth of athletic and community excellence in New Canaan. Toriano Fredericks was an outstanding leader for the football and lacrosse teams at NCHS and went on to play for U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in college. Kerri Chaisson Harden also distinguished herself as a star athlete at New Canaan High School, earning All-State honors in both field hockey and lacrosse. Tom Towers was a standout lax player and went on to a storied playing career in college and as a coach in the NC Lax youth program. Dave Rucci was a great baseball and basketball player and continues to be a visible figure here in town as an attorney. Frank Arcamone is the longest-tenured member of Coach Lou Marinelli’s staff and is a beloved and successful coach and teacher. And Coach Keith MacBain was a legendary and celebrated baseball coach and popular English teacher at NCHS for four decades. He is our Memorial Honoree this year.
What happens during the ceremony on Sunday at Waveny?
The annual Honoree Ceremony at Waveny is both a formal recognition and a community celebration. Guests arrive in the late morning for a continental breakfast before the event moves to the south patio of Waveny House, where the honorees are introduced and share a few words about their journeys and experiences. The setting is both scenic and symbolic, as it brings together generations of athletes, coaches and families in a place that has long been a hub of local sports and recreation. Following the ceremony, attendees enjoy a luncheon. The entire day is an opportunity for old teammates to reconnect, families to celebrate and the town to honor the legacy of its athletic community while supporting future generations of NCHS athletes.
How important to Old Timers is the annual ceremony?
The Honoree Ceremony is the centerpiece of the Old Timers’ mission and the highlight of our calendar. It is a moment to fulfill our core purpose of “Keeping the Past Alive” by celebrating the accomplishments of former athletes and coaches while connecting those stories to the present and future of New Canaan sports. Beyond recognition, the event helps raise funds for the Vin Iovino Scholarship, ensuring that today’s student-athletes benefit directly from the community’s tradition of excellence. Just as importantly, the ceremony fosters a sense of unity and pride, drawing together generations to share in the town’s athletic history and spirit.
What else, if anything, would you like to tell our readers about the Old Timers or 41st Annual Honoree Ceremony?
This year’s Honoree Ceremony marks the forty-first time the Old Timers have gathered to celebrate excellence in athletics and service to the community. That milestone underscores just how deeply woven the organization is into New Canaan’s fabric. The event is open to the public and all are welcome to attend, whether to honor the inductees, reconnect with old friends or simply enjoy a day that celebrates what makes this town special. More than just an awards presentation, the Honoree Ceremony is a living tradition—one that preserves the past, strengthens the present and inspires the future of athletics in New Canaan.