5 Super Athletes With Ties To New Milford

Sports have a way of teaching invaluable life lessons — building character, fostering teamwork and strengthening the bonds within a community. In the New Milford area, these values have shaped some truly remarkable athletes from different eras, whose accomplishments continue to inspire.

Patch has teamed up with T-Mobile to spotlight five standout athletes whose achievements have left a lasting mark on our community. While this list is just a snapshot, there are countless others who have helped shape the rich sports culture in our area.

1. Mark LaPorte (Basketball)

A talented basketball player from New Milford, LaPorte showcased his skills at Immaculate High School. Under coach Nelson Mingachos, he averaged 17 points, five rebounds and four assists in his senior season. A two-time All-Conference and All-League honoree, he also earned recognition as a Danbury News-Times All-Area selection. After high school, LaPorte brought his athleticism to the collegiate level, making his mark with the Blue Devils at Central Connecticut State University.

2. Trevardo Williams (Football)

Williams, a professional defensive end, made his mark in football through an impressive journey that began in Jamaica and continued in the U.S., where he attended Canterbury School in New Milford. Williams excelled on the field for the Saints after a standout high school career in Bridgeport, earning all-state honors. At the University of Connecticut, he set a team record with 30.5 career sacks and was named a unanimous first-team All-Big East selection in 2012. Drafted by the Houston Texans in 2013, Williams also played for teams including the Arizona Cardinals and Washington Redskins.

3. Thea Murray-Martin (Field Hockey, Basketball, Softball)

A standout multi-sport athlete, Murray-Martin excelled in field hockey, basketball and softball for New Milford High School. In field hockey, she earned team MVP honors as a senior, tallying 14 goals and five assists while leading her team with an all-Western Connecticut Conference performance. On the basketball court, Murray-Martin's aggressive rebounding and scoring helped the Green Wave secure a 37-19 record and multiple state tournament victories, earning her two MVP awards and all-conference recognition. As a softball player, she anchored the defense as a strong-armed shortstop and delivered offensively with a .500 batting average during her junior season, contributing to a shared WCC title and an impressive 19-game win streak.

4. Anna Wyhs Benson (Gymnastics)

A star gymnast for New Milford High School, Benson was a dominant force in the South-West Conference, Connecticut and New England throughout her four-year career. She remains the co-holder of the NMHS record for floor exercise with a 9.7, excelling across all apparatus, including vault, uneven bars and balance beam. Benson earned seven SWC titles, six state class event titles and a state open gold medal in floor exercise, consistently placing in the top five all-around. She achieved all-New England honors three times, highlighted by a floor exercise gold and top finishes on beam and vault. Her success culminated with a 10th-place all-around finish at nationals in Las Vegas.

5. Hap Moran (Football)

Francis Dale “Hap” Moran excelled in the NFL during the 1920s and 1930s, playing for teams like the Frankford Yellow Jackets, Chicago Cardinals, Pottsville Maroons and New York Giants. Known for his adaptability, Moran played nearly every position on the field and set league records, including a 91-yard run from scrimmage, which stood as a Giants record for 75 years. Before his professional career, Moran showcased his athleticism at Carnegie Tech and Grinnell College, where he excelled in football (and basketball). Moran died in New Milford in 1994 at the age of 93.

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