By Cherry Dumaual

NEW FAIRFIELD — At the December 4 New Fairfield Board of Education Regular Meeting, the Board began with its officer elections, unanimously re-electing its leadership team: Chair Dominic Cipollone, Vice Chair Samantha Mannion, and Secretary Kimberly LaTourette.

With organizational business complete, the meeting soon shifted to what would become its most memorable moment — an emotional public participation period centered on a proposal to name the high school baseball field “Garbowski Field.”

The Garbowskis’ legacy extends far beyond a single season or team. A 2019 Danbury News-Times feature, “Three generations of Garbowskis leave their mark on New Fairfield baseball,” chronicled the family’s extraordinary achievements and multi-generational service—context that echoed through the heartfelt remarks shared at the meeting.

Over more than three decades, the Garbowski family has become synonymous with New Fairfield baseball. Their involvement spans multiple generations — Head Coach Joe Garbowski, his father Mike, and Joe’s sons, who also earned All-State honors—amounting to what supporters describe as “over 31 years of dedication” and “four generations of Garbowski.” Mike volunteered as an assistant when the program lacked a true baseball coach, never taking a paycheck, and continued helping even after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

Supporters say that under the Garbowskis, both the baseball program’s culture and its physical field were transformed. Joe is known for maintaining an immaculate field—often working Sundays and holidays and using his own money for sod, tools, and netting to protect players. Many credit him with fostering a family-like environment, where older players mentor younger ones and “how kids carry themselves” has fundamentally changed. One parent even moved from Danbury to New Fairfield so his son could play here, later posting a photo of the field with the caption, “my new home.” For many residents, these details clarify why naming the field after the Garbowski family feels not only symbolic but earned.

Three public participants, each with longstanding ties to New Fairfield baseball, rose to speak in favor of the naming.

Eric Alviti, who has previously worked on two other field-naming efforts, described how such recognition sparks genuine community pride. “A field is just a field until you name the field… and then the field becomes a special place.” He added that he has seen naming events lead to continued acts of kindness and improved behavior among student-athletes. “That’s what naming a field does. It inspires people to go above and beyond,” he told the Board.

Next, Frank Rizzo, former JV coach, and longtime operator of All Star Batting Range, spoke about the dramatic transformation he witnessed in the baseball program. While noting the family’s nine All-State player honors across three generations, he emphasized that those accolades are “probably the twentieth reason the field should be named after them.” The real reason, he said, is their unmatched commitment. “I’ve never seen a coach put in the thousands of hours that Joe has. I can’t imagine another family giving this much over the next 20 or 30 years.”

Larry Roccamo, a coach and father, called the decision “a no-brainer,” pointing to the field’s exceptional condition. “No other town in the state has a field in the shape New Fairfield has, and that’s because of Joe,” he said. He also shared that his family moved to New Fairfield so his son could play under Joe’s leadership. “We have no regrets,” he added. “Joe has been fair, open, and committed to building a true baseball program.”

New Fairfield resident and NFHS graduate Pat Toth, who initiated the naming request a year ago and has appeared before the Board numerous times, highlighted as “powerful” the testimony of the parent who moved his family to New Fairfield specifically so his son could play for Coach Garbowski. Toth said he could bring more supporters but did not want to take up additional Board time, urging members instead to discuss the matter among themselves and move the proposal forward.

Support From New Fairfield Baseball Leadership and Board Members

Chair Cipollone then read a letter from New Fairfield Baseball President Ken Bennett, who wrote that Mike and Joe Garbowski have “shaped generations of athletes—not just as competitors, but as young men learning sportsmanship, dedication, and perseverance.” He described naming the field after the family as “a fitting tribute to everything they’ve given our community.”

Later, two Board members offered personal reflections. Greg Flanagan, himself a baseball volunteer, said, “Joe keeps that field like Yankee Stadium. That pride passes down to every coach, every parent, and every kid.” He spoke about how caring for the field teaches students responsibility and ownership — lessons, he said, “that impact their lives far beyond baseball.”

Peggy Katkocin connected the request to a broader town tradition. “This town has always recognized people who give above and beyond. The Garbowskis are exactly that,” she said, noting that naming the field would “reinforce the partnership between the district and the people we serve.”

To conclude the agenda item, Cipollone thanked residents for their heartfelt participation. “Hearing from the community is invaluable,” he said. He reminded attendees that the Board will decide the matter at the next meeting on December 18. “Every decision we make doesn’t make everyone happy. We just ask everyone to respect the process and the decision we ultimately make.” He added, “This is the type of community we have — people come together.”

Coach Joe Garbowski Overwhelmed with Gratitude

Town Tribune reached out to Coach Garbowski for his reaction to the community’s strong support. He said that naming the field after the Garbowski family would be an overwhelming honor and a symbol of the decades of commitment his family has given to New Fairfield baseball. For him, it represents gratitude for his father’s 30+ years of volunteer coaching, his own 20 years of mentoring students, and the values passed down through generations — teamwork, pride, service, and giving back.

He believes the name could inspire student-athletes to feel a stronger sense of pride and belonging and see the field as something they “belong to.” Yet he made clear that the family’s dedication remains steady regardless of the vote.

“Whether this transpires, and it comes to fruition, it’s great, but at the end of the day, as I mentioned before, the Gabrowskis are still gonna go out there and do what they’ve been doing for the last 30 years.”

The next regular meeting of the New Fairfield Board of Education is scheduled for Thursday, December 18 at 7 p.m.