Emanuel A. Merullo
(Coach/Teacher)
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 and that is an individual
whose presence was felt in a multitude of capacities both official and
unofficial. Emanuel “Manny” Merullo is such a figure, and he is our next
inductee into the Hall of Fame. Manny was raised in Massachusetts and
graduated from East Boston High School in 1938. He attended The College
of the Holy Cross where he lettered in both baseball and track and
received his B.S. Then he earned his masters degree from Tufts
University. Manny began his professional career as a math teacher and
baseball coach at the Jesse Lee Academy before taking a job on the
faculty of Danbury High School in 1949. At DHS Manny continued as a math
teacher, and he coached track, football and baseball until 1961. He
coached many notable athletes. In 1961 Manny became an assistant
principal at DHS and gave up his coaching duties, but he continued to
serve in many athletic capacities including the Connecticut
Interscholastic Conference (CIAC) where he was chairman of the wrestling
committee from 1970-1981. In 1969 he left Danbury to become principal
at Bethel High School where he stayed in that position for twelve years.
Manny was a World War II veteran who served in the U.S. Army, and was
married for 55 years to his wife, Eleanor. Manny’s contributions go
beyond athletics as he has served in many civic and community
organizations such as the Lion’s Club, the National Association of
Secondary School Principals, Chairman of the Planning Commission in
Danbury and Vice- Chairman of Housatonic Area Regional Transit (HART)and
the Danbury Common Council.