A formal dedication of the Newtown High School athletic complex will be held Sunday, October 9, at 2 pm.

The dedication – taking place right behind the high school – will honor the memories of long-time coaches and educators Harold S. DeGroat and Ann Anderson. Back in the day when the high school was housed in Hawley School, Mr DeGroat coached boys’ soccer, football, basketball and baseball while Miss Anderson coached field hockey, girls’ basketball and softball.

Both were founding members of the Newtown Sports Hall of Fame.

The Newtown High School Reunion Committee, formed a few years ago to plan the 50th reunion for the classes of 1949, 1950 and 1951, remained together to begin planning for the dedication of the back fields. Ken Pelletier, Joan Glover Crick, Mary Star “Skippy” Adams, Mary Elizabeth Buxton, Paul and Delores Allen, Stretch Forbell, Jack Cochran, Ralph Berkman, John Lorenzo and Gene Buermeyer were among those who continued to work.

Three years ago, the committee met with NHS athletic director Gregg Simon and former principal Bill Manfredonia to outline its desire to dedicate the complex to Mr DeGroat and Miss Anderson. The measure met with an enthusiastic response.

And now with the memorial in place and with the financial backing of the NHS athletic department, the fields will be dedicated in the memory of two of the finest coaches Newtown High School has ever had.