By Pete Smith and Ed Ackley

Contributing Writers

EDITOR’S NOTE: Today’s article is the final profile of this year’s Norwich Sports Hall of Fame induction class. The induction banquet is scheduled for Saturday, May 11 at Canasawacta Country Club. Reservations may still be made through next week at the Norwich YMCA, Wells Fargo Advisors, the Norwich Middle School or by calling Fred Miers at 334-7166. The price is $35 per person.

On September 1, 1952, nearly 61 years ago, forty three young athletes, along with Head Coach Kurt Beyer, Assistant Coach Frank Giltner and Team Manager Mike Martin, walked up the staircase from the boys’ locker room at the old high school on West Main Street. They proceeded from Maple Street south to Hayes Street, then west to Elm Street, south on Elm Street to Conkey Avenue and on to Alumni Field.

This walk would be made five or six times a week for the next two and a half months. Keep in mind they also walked back after practice and game days. One of the rules issued by Coach Beyer was, “Try to walk on the grass so you don’t wear down the cleats.”