Storage of trophies upsets alum

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NAUGATUCK — A Naugatuck High School alum is working with school officials to ensure trophies from days gone by get their due.

In 1977, Paul Granahan was a member of the Naugatuck High state championship baseball team. Nearly 40 years later, Granahan found that the plaque designating his former team as state champions, as well as multiple other sports awards the school has won over the years, was boxed and stored at the former General DataComm building.

Memorabilia was stored at the GDC building while the high school renovation project was completed.

Granahan said some of the trophies had not been stored properly and were broken.

“They were just left there for four years,” Granahan said. “To me it is like someone stepping on gravestones.”

Granahan said he’s working with interim Naugatuck High Athletic Director Brian Mariano to sort through the trophies that need to be repaired and figure out what to do next. Mariano didn’t return a message seeking comment as of press time.

Naugatuck High School Principal Jan Saam said she wasn’t aware of the issue until Granahan brought it to her attention earlier this month. She said it was never an intent not to display the trophies.

“We are certainly mindful of the fact they are important to the town,” Saam said. “It was never by ill intent that they were not up.”

Saam pointed out that the display cases at the school, as well as portions of the main office, are already filled with trophies recently won by athletic teams.

“Our kids keep winning trophies constantly. Even the front office has them displayed everywhere. It is a good problem to have,” Saam said.

However, Saam doesn’t want just the sports trophies to be displayed. She pointed out that the school has won awards in academics and music, as well.

“I don’t want to give the impression we will only display athletic awards. I want it to be balanced,” Saam said.

Both Granahan and Saam said some of the older trophies may be displayed at the Naugatuck Historical Society once renovations to the Tuttle Building, which will be the society’s home, are finished. However, nothing is set as of yet.

Naugatuck Historical Society President Ken Hanks couldn’t be reached for comment.