DeGroat’s Greatness Is Bigger Than Just A Stadium

To the Editor:

When the new high school opened in 1970, there were many people who believed the stadium should have been named in honor of Harold S. DeGroat, the first athletic director in town.

Harold DeGroat came to Newtown after serving in the Navy during World War II. While in the service, he was responsible for the fitness training of future pilots. Prior to his years in the service, he attended Springfield College, where he participated in many sports and distinguished himself as an outstanding student athlete. He enjoyed telling the story of how, as a member of the football team, he tackled the legendary Jim Thorpe.

Upon his arrival in Newtown, he taught physical education classes, coached sports, and established a physical education program. For a number of years high school students had physical education every day, and Coach’s program was outstanding enough to be written up in Sports Illustrated. He also gave many hours of time as the Director of Recreation.

In Newtown, former Athletic Director Bob Sveda and I knew Coach DeGroat as a kind and dedicated educator who loved children and taught the highest ideals of sportsmanship.

Now, there is some discussion of naming the stadium for the late coach. Mr Sveda said, “It would be a tremendous insult to Coach DeGroat to now name the stadium in his honor, after some dissatisfaction with the original honoree.”

We believe it would be most appropriate to name the entire physical education complex the Harold S. DeGroat Memorial Athletic Complex. The football field, gymnasiums, and other areas within the complex could be named after future Newtown High School athletes who distinguished themselves at the college and professional level or other Newtown residents who are deserving of the recognition.

Joseph P. Grasso - Newtown High School 1960-‘92

Robert Sveda - Newtown High School, 1959-’92

Huntingtown Road, Newtown                                      October 11, 2000