Joseph Coniglio

    Coniglio  Joseph Coniglio
 Football/Track, 1965



This 2019 Hall of Fame inductee was not only an outstanding athlete, but had a distinguished coaching and teaching career at Danbury High School, 1965 graduate Joseph Coniglio. A student-athlete at Danbury High from 1961-65 at the White Street campus, Joe excelled at both football and track. Playing guard on both offense and defense, under Coach “Copper” Ed Crotty, Joe earned All-Conference (FCIAC) honors in football. In track, under Coach Dan O’Grady, Joe earned varsity status for three years, competing in all field events and the quarter mile.

Joe distinguished himself in the classroom as well. He was a member of the National Honor Society and received Perry Awards in both Mathematics and English. Joe also had a perfect attendance record for his four years at DHS. In 1964, Joe was the first ever recipient of the Old Timers Scholarship. In 2016, he received the Sports Award from the Old Timers Association.

In the 1965 Danbury High yearbook, a Thomas Jefferson quote appears next to his write-up giving a glimpse to his future: ”A strong body makes a strong mind”. From 1965-69, Joe attended the University of Connecticut at Storrs, earning his BS in Education. In 1977 he earned his Masters from Western Connecticut State University, and his Sixth Year in Administration from Southern Connecticut State University.

In 1988, Joe was granted a sabbatical, and under the auspices of the National Strength and Conditions Association (NSCA) he traveled to the USSR (Moscow), Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, and Portugal, attending seminars on Olympic strength and conditioning techniques. That same year he became the first certified strength and conditioning coach (CSCS) at Danbury High School.

For over 40 years, Joe enjoyed teaching Physical Education, primarily at Danbury High. He coached football under Coach “Gus” Edwards and later under Coach Mike Cioppa. He served as the field track coach under Coach Bob Taborsak. For many years Joe attended sports medicine seminars and became the unofficial trainer for those teams.

For over thirty years Joe was the timer at both girls and boys Danbury High basketball games, with his best friend Mike Cioppa keeping the scorebook. A true Renaissance man, Joe has excelled in all his life endeavors, whether it be teaching, coaching or conditioning. Since his retirement in 2009, Joe continues to enjoy his passion for the outdoors, especially with his wife, their five adult children and thirteen grandchildren. This includes extensive gardening, hiking, traveling, doing historical re-enactments, and spending quality family time at their Rhode Island beach house.