Press Box At McMahon Named For Longtime Norwalk Sports Journalist

NORWALK, CT — For more than four decades, George Albano has chronicled the accomplishments, both on and off the field, of athletes from his alma mater, Brien McMahon High School. This week, he became the subject of the story, as school officials dedicated the press box at Jack Casagrande Field in his honor.

At the dedication ceremony, Albano said, "I’m honored, humbled and overwhelmed. This feeling is surreal. This Brien McMahon High School press box has always been my best friend."

Albano was a track and field athlete and wrestler under Casagrande with the Senators, graduating in 1973, and a year later, at age 19, he covered his first game at Bethel High School. He worked for the Norwalk Hour for 40 years, interrupted only by a two-year stint as sports information director at the University of Bridgeport.

He has been honored by several organizations for his contributions to athletics in the city and region. He was inducted into the Connecticut High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2008, the FCIAC Hall of Fame in 2010, and the McMahon Hall of Fame in 2013.

Despite being officially retired from the Hour, Albano continues to contribute his journalistic talents, and to serving local organizations. He is past president (2001-02) and current secretary of the Norwalk Old Timers' Association, serving on numerous committees for the group. He received an award from the association in 2011.

He was president of the Connecticut Sports Writers' Alliance from 2011 to 2014, presiding over the annual Gold Key Dinner, and is now a member of the Alliance's Gold Key nominating committee.

In a phone interview with Patch Thursday, Albano said the dedication "still hadn't really sunk in," so he returned to the stadium Wednesday to gaze up at his name emblazoned on the sign atop the press box.

"I had to come back here and just take it all in," he said.

(George Albano and his family at the dedication ceremony Tuesday. Photo credit: Richard Bonenfant)