Norman Winnerman
(Athletic Director)
This 2013 Hall of Fame Inductee starting working in the Danbury school system in 1962, and was athletic director from 1978-1992. Norm is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, where he received both his bachelor's and master'sdegrees. He is a United States Air Force veteran and received his administration degree from Fairfield University. Norm's first job was teaching and coaching at Tilton-Northfield High School in New Hampshire. Then Norm took a job at Danbury High School in 1962. Over the course of a thirty year career with the Danbury school system, Norm has held a variety of positions: classroom teacher, History Department Chair, Class Advisor, coach, Business Manager of the DHS Athletic Association, and Athletic Director. Many improvements to the athletic program at Danbury High School occurred under Norm's tenure as AD. With the passage of Title IX, female sports increased. The DHS Booster Club was created and with the support of DHS alumni, the Danbury Board of Education and city government, permanent field lights were added to the stadium field in 1980. It was a start to the outstanding athletic complex that currently exists. Working with Park and Rec and Public Works, the city of Danbury took over complete maintenance of school fields. Norm has been a member of the Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference (FCIAC) Board of Directors and Chairman of the Tennis Committee. He was inducted into the FCIAC Hall of Fame in 2001. As a member of the Connecticut Association of Athletic Directors (CAAD), he served as President in 1989-90. He is a member of the Connecticut High School Coaches Association (CHSCA). He served as Executive Secretary of the WCC, later called SWC, from 1992 until his retirement in 2012. Civic Involvement has been an important part of Norm's life. He has served on the Danbury Common Council, the War Memorial Board of Directors, Danbury Parks and Recreation Commission, and the Board of Trustees of the United Jewish Center. His elderly neighbors report that Norm checks on them on a regular basis! In 2012, he was inducted into the Danbury Old Timers Association.