Don and Sally Chirlin

Contributors

Submitted Photo

NORWICH – The story of Mike Conron is one of family, character, respect and last but not least, a competitive and talented all around athlete. He is the fourth of six children born to Etta and Bob, “Diz” Conron. Mike and his twin sister Maureen tied for the fourth spot. The Conron family covered the athletic scene in Norwich during the 1940’s through the 1970’s. Diz played center for the Syracuse University football team in 1944 and was the center and MVP on the Y Giants, Norwich’s Semi-Pro Football team, from 1947-50. To understand Norwich athletics and its history, you should start with Jim Dunne’s history of small town Norwich during the post war years. (1947-51)

 

The Conron boys were all athletic like their father – quiet, soft spoken, but physically active and competitive. Bill played football and track. Bob played football and wrestled. Tim played football, basketball and track. Mike played football, basketball and baseball. All for the purple. However, the spark that ignited the fiercely competitive family was Mike’s mother Etta. While the father and children were playing and working, she was raising a family. She led her children through school and on into college. Mike was fortunate enough to inherit both his mother and father’s gifts.