By Steve Bigham

T

he Edmond Hall Town Hall gymnasium these days is mainly used for dance lessons, aerobics and an occasional pick-up basketball game. At one time, however, it was home to some of the most exciting basketball action in town. It served as the home court for Hawley High School and the crowds used to pack inside for the games.

During the late 1940s, one man stood out above the rest, leading the Newtown cagers to one victory after another. His name – Edmond “Emmy” Farrell – and those who watched him play say he was one of Newtown’s first great all-around athletes.

At 6-0, 145 pounds, Emmy was certainly no dominating physical presence, but his jump shot was deadly, his defense superb and his passing like that of Larry Bird . . . before there was a Larry Bird.

A three-year starter, he was a leader on and off the court and always managed to put a smile on the face of his coach, the legendary Harold DeGroat.

During the 50s and 60s, Emmy earned a reputation as being one of the area’s best golfers and he remains a part of the Newtown Country Club lore.

These days, Emmy, now 70, spends most of his time in his garden outside his Main Street home. It is a garden his friends consider to be one of the finest in town. His sneakers have long been hung up and his clubs neatly stowed away. A sore shoulder and back forced him into sports retirement. But the memories of a rich history of athletic excellence still bring a smile to this proud Irishman’s face. This week, we welcome Edmond “Emmy” Farrell into the Newtown Sports Hall of Fame.

A Gentleman, A Champion

In the winter of 1948, Emmy was the pride of Newtown as he led the Hawley High boy’s basketball team a 13-0 record. It is believed to be the high school’s only undefeated season in history. Emmy was the captain and floor general – Coach DeGroat’s go-to guy.

Newtown resident Joan Crick, a star player herself, remembers Emmy as a natural leader, popular and good looking.

“He was a jock. What can I say? He was probably the best athlete in the school,” she recalls. “He was the star of the high school. I remember he had a one-handed push shot.”

It was a push shot that always seemed to go in, especially at Edmond Town Hall where Emmy, with his high-top canvas sneakers laced up, knew the hardwood like DiMaggio knew centerfield at Yankee Stadium.

But the memorable 1948 season had a sour note after it was learned that Emmy had played in an unsanctioned recreation game. In truth, says Emmy, he was simply watching the action when one team asked him to join in since they did not have enough players. According to Emmy, the game didn’t even count. It was just a pick-up game. DeGroat was in attendance and didn’t see a problem with his star player filling in. But the news got out and Hawley High was forced to forfeit its 13 wins and the league championship. Newtown failed to play to a winning season for 13 years following the incident.

But the accomplishment of Emmy and his teammates during that special season did not go unnoticed by an appreciative town. The players’ season was considered legitimate in the minds of the fans and the Indians were regarded as local heroes.

“I remember W.W. Holcombe was the first selectman at the time and he gave us each gold basketballs. They had a big party in the Alexandria Room,” Emmy recalled during an interview last week.

Emmy grew up on a farm along Route 34 and the trip into town was a long one. Occasionally he would have to walk the five miles home after games or hitchhike his way there. Emmy always managed to get a ride to Sandy Hook center, then he would stand by a street light (near the old post office) and wait for that rare car to go by. In those days, motorists would always stop to pick up a young lad, especially the handsome star basketball player.

Emmy recalls Newtown teams being very tough to beat in the cozy “band box” confines of the town hall gym. On the road, in the bigger courts of Danbury (and elsewhere), Newtown would have difficulty making the adjustment. But they knew they could always turn to Coach DeGroat for guidance. The nurturing coach always brought out the best in his players and Emmy was no exception. The young man admired his coach and credits the man for having much influence on his life.

“DeGroat never won a state championship, but he was so good to the kids of Newtown,” Emmy said. “He kept a low profile and treated everyone equally. He was Mr Newtown. He was like a father to everyone.”

After the games, Emmy and the gang would usually head on down to the Village Coffee Shop or Flagpole Fountain for a soda before heading home for the night.

A Golfer’s Life

Emmy was a standout center fielder for the Hawley High baseball team (which played its games at Hawley High). However, in the summer of 1947, Emmy was introduced to the sport of golf by good friend Mike Kearns, who was a couple years older than Emmy. A great golfer was born.

“He picked up the game pretty quick,” Kearns recalled this week from his Newtown home. “We played 45 holes a day that summer.”

That following spring – during his senior year – Emmy decided not to go out for the baseball team in favor of playing golf. The decision broke the heart of DeGroat, who was also the baseball coach.

Today, Emmy admits some regret for leaving the team that year, but the game of golf does funny things to a man. Emmy started playing more and more and got better and better.

“I played golf every day and every night. I pounded ball after ball,” he said.

In his best year’s, Emmy was a two handicap and registered four holes-in-one at the Newtown Country Club – all on different holes, 1, 4, 6 and 8.

“I could drive and I could putt,” said Emmy who hit his last ball 15 years ago.

 As good an athlete as he was, Emmy’s friends say he was a gentleman above all else.

“I always had a lot of respect for him and he was a good sportsman. He never lost his cool,” Kearns recalled.

And Crick credits Emmy with helping the club make it through some of the lean years through his leadership, volunteerism and generosity.

After being drafted in 1951, Emmy was sent to Germany where he made the competitive 63rd Tank Battalion basketball team, although he was a member of the First Division. He spent one winter on special duty as a member of the team, which traveled to different bases facing the Army’s best athletes.

Upon his return, Emmy returned to his job at American Wire in Newtown where he would work for the next 50 years. He retired in the spring of 1999 and was honored at a party at his home. The lifelong Newtown resident joked with co-workers and friends who watched him start on the company’s factory worker and eventually move up to vice president in the mid 1960’s.

In 1985, Emmy (in his mid 50s) married for the first time, taking the hand of Geraldine McCarthy, his high school sweet heart. Their friends know the couple as Emmy and Gerry.

Emmy Farrell can often be seen rocking back and forth on his front porch, watching the Main Street traffic pass him by. He has a noticeable limp as he makes his way to his garden. He wears a New York Yankee hat and shirt.

The legend lives on.