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‘A Beautiful Facility’: Officials Cut Ribbon on ‘Coppo Field,’ New Home of NCHS Varsity Baseball

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Hundreds of New Canaan Baseball players of all ages, family, friends and supporters gathered at the new Coppo Field on Wednesday afternoon for a ribbon-cutting and inaugural game at the widely anticipated facility in Waveny. Named for the late Joe Coppo, the turf field will serve as the new home of the New Canaan High School varsity Rams, whose first-ever game (also against Darien) had been played nearly 100 years ago when NCHS first played at Mead Park. 

Coppo himself “was a longtime resident of New Canaan and ardent supporter of New Canaan Baseball who graciously volunteered his time coaching and was an active board member,” the emcee of the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Terry Dinan, told those gathered at the field on a comfortable, sunny day. 

He continued: “Joe Coppo tragically lost his life on Sept. 11, 2001. His spirit and legacy lives on in all who take the field to play. We know Joe would be excited, and proud, to see the unveiling of the renovated Coppo Field today.”

Those in attendance included municipal officials such as First Selectman Dionna Carlson, Selectman Steve Karl, Public Works Director Tiger Mann, Parks & Recreation Director John Howe and Superintendent of Parks Ryan Restivo, district representatives such as Superintendent of Schools Dr. Bryan Luizzi, NCHS Principal Bill Egan and Athletic Director Jay Egan, and New Canaan Athletic Foundation founding Chair Mike Benevento and Board President Ian MacAllister. 

Also in attendance were members of the Coppo family, including Joe Coppo’s son John who threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Around Town

New Canaan Old Timers’ Honoree Ceremony Set for Sept. 15 [Q&A]

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A nonprofit organization that honors standout athletes from throughout New Canaan history is gearing up for its annual Honoree Ceremony. The New Canaan Old Timers will induct six new members during the Sept. 15 event (register here). We put some questions to Old Timers Vice President and Historian Terry Dinan ahead of the ceremony. Here’s our exchange.

Around Town

New Canaan Old Timers Association’s Golf Outing Set for June 25 [Q&A]

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A local nonprofit organization that’s dedicated to honoring New Canaan athletes and sports figures from the past is holding its major annual fundraiser this month. The New Canaan Old Timers Association’s golf outing will be held Tuesday, June 25 at Fairchild Wheeler in Fairfield (tickets here). We put some questions to the organization’s vice president and historian, Terry Dinan. Here’s our exchange. ***
New Canaanite: For those who are unfamiliar with the organization, tell us about the New Canaan Old Timers Association’s origins.

Bob VanDerheyden

‘It Was Wonderful’: NCHS Legend Bob VanDerheyden Steps Down After Calling Rams Football Games for 65 Years

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Bob VanDerheyden started out calling Rams basketball games as a New Canaan High School sophomore. The son of the sports director at WSTC-AM in Stamford, he’d always been around radio and loved it. 

“I did a lot of things with dad, going around the Little League games and high school football games,” the 1960 NCHS graduate recalled on an afternoon this week from his home outside Scranton, Pa. “And it occurred to me that I’ll do the PA [public address] at the basketball game. So I did a couple of basketball games. And [NCHS Football Coach] Joe Sikorski thought that was pretty neat.