Longtime NFA Coach And Athletic Director Named 2023 Gold Key Honoree

NORWICH, CT — One of the most successful track and field coaches in Connecticut sports history, with 13 state championships at Norwich Free Academy, has been selected to receive one of the state's oldest and most prestigious sports honors.

Gary Makowicki, a coach and athletic director for the Wildcats for 37 years, will receive the Gold Key Award from the Connecticut Sports Media Alliance (CSMA) at the 81st annual Gold Key Dinner on Sunday, Oct. 22 at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington.

Makowicki coached girls track for 23 seasons, winning 10 Class LL state titles, including eight straight from 1994 to 2001, and three State Open championships. His teams finished with a 201-17 record in dual meets, 12 undefeated seasons and 14 conference championships.

He was selected as CHSCA and CITCA track coach of the year, was NHSACA Girls Track Coach of the Year in 2003, and National High School Athletic Director of the Year in 2015. He is a member of the Connecticut High School Coaches Association and National High School Athletic Coaches Association halls of fame.

Other Gold Key honorees are longtime Darien High School volleyball coach Laurie LaRusso, Olympic runner Jan Merrill-Morin, North Branford High School field hockey coach Babby Nuhn and retired Major League Baseball umpire Terry Tata.

With two exceptions, the Gold Key Dinner has been an annual event since its inception in 1940. Among the Connecticut sports legends recognized in past years are Gordie Howe, Willie Pep, Floyd Little, Geno Auriemma, Calvin Murphy, Kristine Lilly, Julius Boros, Connie Mack, Gene Sarazen, Ron Francis, Dwight Freeney, Terry Lowe, Bill Rodgers, Brian Leetch, Rebecca Lobo, Bobby Valentine and Joan Joyce.

Award winners in other categories will be announced later this spring. They include the President's Award, the Doc McInerney High School Coaches of the Year, the Bill Lee Male Athlete of the Year, the Hank O'Donnell Female Athlete of the Year, the Bo Kolinsky Special Recognition Award, the Bob Casey Courage Award, the Hal Levy High School Achievement Award and the John Wentworth Good Sport Awards.

Tickets for the Gold Key Dinner are $75, and are available by contacting CSMA president Tim Jensen of Patch Media Corp. at 860-394-5091 or tim.jensen@patch.com. Proceeds support the Bo Kolinsky Memorial Sports Media Scholarship, a $3,000 annual award named in memory of the noted high school sports editor of the Hartford Courant and past CSMA president, who passed away in 2003 at age 49.