Last Chance To Order Tickets To Prestigious 82nd Gold Key Dinner

A total of 19 awards, including five Gold Keys, will be presented at the 82nd annual gathering on Oct. 20 at the Aqua Turf Club.

SOUTHINGTON, Sept. 23, 2024 — Tickets are still on sale through Sept. 30 for the 82nd Gold Key Dinner, a yearly extravaganza honoring great Connecticut athletes, coaches and sports personalities. It has been organized since 1940 by the Connecticut Sports Media Alliance (formerly the Connecticut Sports Writers' Alliance).

One of the oldest and most prestigious sports award ceremonies in the state, the Gold Key Dinner is slated for Sunday, Oct. 20 at 2 p.m. at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington. Tickets are $75, and may be reserved by contacting CSMA president Tim Jensen at 860-394-5091 or tim.jensen@patch.com. Payment is accepted via checks made out to CSMA, P.O. Box 3234, Enfield, CT 06083, or by Venmo, @Tim-Jensen-67.

In addition to the honorees, a few surprise guests will be on hand.

Gold Key Award recipients for 2024 are former Daniel Hand High School and Yale University football coach Larry Ciotti, retired Windham High School wrestling and football coach Brian Crudden, retired Pomperaug High School field hockey coach Linda Dirga, award-winning sportscaster George Grande and Wesleyan University women’s basketball coach Kate Mullen.

U.S. Olympic bobsled designer Bob Cuneo will be presented the President’s Award, Southern Connecticut State University track and field record-breaker Jordan Davis of Wallingford will receive the Bill Lee Male Athlete of the Year award, and Boston College national champion lacrosse goalkeeper Shea Dolce of Darien has garnered the Hank O'Donnell Female Athlete of the Year award. State championship coaches Leigh Barone of Masuk softball and Rich Bowen of Killingly wrestling will be honored with the Doc McInerney High School Coach of the Year plaques.

Other honorees will be:

Hal Levy High School Achievement Award - Paula Fitzgerald, Westbrook High School.
Bo Kolinsky Memorial Special Recognition Award - Rick Leddy, North Haven.
Bob Casey Courage Award - the family of Charlie Capalbo, Fairfield.
John Wentworth Good Sport Awards - Marc Forster, Ledyard; Mary-Jane Hussey, Windsor Locks; Bob Rafferty, Trumbull; Jim Reynolds, East Haven.
Art McGinley Media Award - George Albano, Norwalk Hour (retired).
Bo Kolinsky Memorial Sports Media Scholarship - Casey O'Brien, Ridgefield High School.