After a long list of memorable accomplishments over the last three months, it is time for you to decide who was the very best of the best.
We have selected seven outstanding finalists for our annual Overtime FCIAC Winter Team of the Year award and seven finalists for our annual BlueStreak-Overtime FCIAC Coach of the Year award.
The team winner will receive special T-shirts and a plaque courtesy of BlueStreak Sports Training, Garden Catering, Karl Chevrolet, Innovative Health & Rehabilitation, Chelsea Piers, New Balance of New Canaan and the Stamford Advocate. The winning coach will receive a trophy and T-shirt from BlueStreak Sports Training and the Stamford Advocate.
The final field was compiled after talking to and getting recommendations from a number of league coaches in each sport, as well as personal observations.
The team finalists are:
Danbury Girls Basketball
Greenwich Girls Track
New Canaan Girls Hockey
Ridgefield Boys Hockey
St. Joseph Boys Basketball
Staples Boys Track
Wilton Gymnastics
The coach finalists are:
Rich Bulan, New Canaan Girls Hockey
Gary Chadwick, Wilton Gymnastics
Jackie DiNardo, Danbury Girls Basketball
Evan Dubin, Greenwich Girls Track
Shaun Gallagher, Ridgefield Boys Hockey
Laddie Lawrence, Staples Boys Track
Vito Montelli, St. Joseph Boys Basketball
The voting will run from Sunday until next Wednesday at noon, so check back and be prepared to vote.
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Not to take away from the accomplishments of the coaches nominated, but there is at least one obvious omission from this winter coach of the year. Brett Farson the coach of Greenwich High School Girls hockey. FCIAC girls coach of the year. He came into a program that some considered to be on it’s last legs and through his dedication, knowledge of the game and coaching skills helped his team to finish out their season with truly impressive wins over Ridgefield and Darien. It is not always about who has the most wins – sometimes it is about who had the greatest impact on their program. Brett has breathed new life into the GHS program. Similarly Chris Gerwig coach of DHS boys ice hockey team came into a program where he was the 3rd coach in 4 years. He made an immediate impact on this program with his discipline, drive and passion. He changed the culture of that team. These boys had one of the best years they have had in a long time and again as with Brett – not always about the wins – bigger picture – impact on a program.