Clayton Haviland

Haviland

Clayton Haviland
(Special Award, 1973)


Clayton Haviland was an outstanding twosport athlete in basketball and baseball. While at Danbury High, Clayt excelled at both sports and served as baseball captain his senior year. After high school graduation, Clayt continued his academic and athletic career at Cornell University. Clayt graduated from Cornell in 1956 and was a three-year varsity baseball player. He continued his baseball career for many years in the Danbury Intra City league as a manager, coach, and player. In 1957 he batted .379 and was league MVP. Aside from being a great two-sport athlete from Danbury High, Clayt enjoyed a long successful teaching and coaching career which began in 1957. While teaching chemistry at Danbury High School, he also coached the baseball team for twenty years. His teams were always competitive and very successful and won county and conference championships. He provided many athletes with the skills to have successful college baseball, coaching and professional careers, including DHS Hall of Fame inductees Harry Trohalis who played shortstop in the College World Series as the UConn shortstop and Art Haddad who continued his baseball playing career at Mount Saint Mary’s in Maryland. DHS baseball standout Dave Patterson made it to the pros. As successful high school baseball coaches, former DHS baseball players John Iovino and Shawn Ratchford have had great success in state and league tournament play and with players that went on to professional careers. As a coach, one of Clayt’s fondest memories was the victory over Naugatuck High School who was undefeated for three years. In state tournament play, Danbury was losing 3-1 in the bottom of the ninth with two outs and bases loaded, and a full count on the batter. Clayt called for a squeeze, and the batter, Mike Bonacci, laid down a perfect bunt which scored three runs. Danbury High won the game 4-3! Clayt received his master’s degree from Fairfield University. The long-time teacher, coach and two-sport Danbury High athlete, is spending his retirement enjoying the many activities of his grandchildren.