Paul Baker

Paul Baker

Paul Baker
(Honorary)


Generally Hall of Fame candidates fall into one of two categories: either they had an outstanding playing career or they were legendary head coaches of a particular sport. There is a third category that is an individual whose presence was felt in a multitude of capacities both official and unofficial. Paul Baker is such a figure, and he is a 2011 inductee into the Danbury High Hall of Fame. Paul was a 1937 graduate of Ridgefield High School. He served in World War II in the Army-Air Corps from 1942-46 as an air traffic control tower operator. When the Korean War broke out, Paul was reactivated and served from 1950-51. Known as the "Voice of Danbury", Paul started DHS football broadcasts from 1947 through 1982. The Danbury High vs. Norwalk High football game was first broadcasted by Paul in 1947. By the mid-1950's, Paul's sidekick, Abe Najamy had joined forces with him at WLAD, and they started broadcasting high school basketball games. Together, Paul and Abe survived broadcasts from perilous perches and freezing temperatures on flat-bodied trucks, overheated gyms, and the flailing arms of angry fans in the grandstands. On one occasion they covered the simultaneous radio broadcast of three local high school games, with Abe doing one game, Ron Tarsi doing another and Paul Hart covering the third with Paul Baker coordinating air time in the studio! In 1977 Paul became co-owner, along with Abe Najamy, of Paul and Abe Productions as operators of Channel 10. Paul and Abe ontinued their support of DHS athletics with live telecasts of basketball and football games. They also broadcasted some Little League baseball, city league baseball, and industrial softball league games. Many Danbury High and area athletes have fond memories of their games being broadcasted by Paul and Abe. Program and Sports Director at WLAD for 30 years, Paul was honored at the Cooperstown Hall of Fame in the 1970's. He was one of the founders of the Danbury Old Timers Association, honored by them in 1981, and served as their president in 1983. Paul was also the voice of the Danbury Racearena for 25 years.