By Dave Smith and Senior Correspondent Marty Ogden, Editing and Graphics by Ron Knapp
Long-time and now retired coach Bill Baron arrived at his alma mater on Wednesday afternoon believing that he was needed as an extra official for the East Harford versus South Windsor meet. Upon arrival he was personally welcomed by his former athlete and East Hartford Superintendent Thomas Anderson. Much to his surprise, he found himself the focus of those in attendance, including many other former athletes, in the dedication ceremony of the Bill Baron Track.
As a graduate of East Hartford High School in 1960, the Manhattan College graduate returned to his alma mater after a 2-year stint at Ridgefield to teach and coach until 2001 when he retired from the classroom. Soon afterward he left East Hartford he started coaching again at East Catholic HS in Manchester with his wife Marie until they retired last year.
Along the way, Coach Baron has impacted every athlete, coach and official in the state of Connecticut for the past forty years as the meet director of the State Open in cross country, indoor and outdoor track, plus one of the founders of the Wickham Invitational in cross country.
How It Began
His career began as an outstanding runner at East Hartford High School where he was all-conference four times in track and cross country, and all-state as a senior in cross country. He served as captain of XC, indoor and outdoor track during his senior year and as he competed during that XC season he set five course records around the old Capital District Conference. For example, he set the course record on his home course and at the Greater Hartford Invitation, then held at Keeney Park. In fact, his future wife Marie remembers sitting in home room at EHHS and listening to the morning announcements and hearing, “Yesterday, Bill Baron set another course record at…” East Hartford’s Rotary Club named him Outstanding Athlete in 1960, and for all of his quality performances, Manhattan College awarded him a four-year scholarship.
For almost sixty years now, the Connecticut high school running community has had no idea how lucky it is. Way back then, a Manhattan College senior answered a help wanted ad for an Economics teacher and cross country coach at Ridgefield High School, and Bill Baron answered it. He thought to himself, this is just what I was looking for. College prepared me for this teaching position, and I’m a serious runner. He got the job and the rest, as…
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