​Dan Lauria (“The Wonder Years”) and Jodi Long (“Dash & Lily,” “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”) star in “Just Another Day” at Great Barrington Public Theater in the Berkshires. Lauria, a former college football player at Southern Connecticut State University, is being inducted into the New Haven Gridiron Club Hall of Fame on Sept. 9, 2026. (Katherine Kiessling/Times Union) (Katherine Kiessling/Times Union)
The New Haven Gridiron Club Hall of Fame will induct 12 new members at its 42nd annual Hall of Fame dinner on Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 6 p.m. at Woodwinds in Branford.The Hall of Fame inductees are as follows:Dan Lauria, Southern Connecticut State University: He starred in the Emmy-winning TV show “The Wonder Years” and played the title role on Broadway in “Lombardi.” Lauria served three years in the Marines in Vietnam and has written or directed over 50 professional stage productions.Richard Del Buono, Amity (1979):Played nose guard on Amity’s only Class II state championship team in 1978. A New Haven Register All-State selection.George Rose, East Haven (1971): A three-sport starter and a captain in football and basketball who went on to play quarterback at Trinity College.Charles Goodwyn, Hamden (1980): Captain, went on to play at Southern Connecticut State and the Connecticut Giants minor league team.Jeff Farmer, Hand (1974): Led the Tigers to a 9-0 season, played in the Nutmeg Bowl and was an All-American.James Lewis, Hillhouse (2004): Captain, All-SCC, Levi Jackson All-Area, New Haven Register All-State.Rocco DeMaio, Jr., Hopkins (1986): Tight end and captain, All-Fairchester League pick, went on to be All-ECAC and All-NESCAC at Trinity College. He is currently the Hopkins athletic director and baseball coach.Garland Eugene Patton, Sr., Lee (New Haven) (1980): A three-sport star who was an honorable mention All-America.Louis Ciarleglio, North Haven (2007): He was a team MVP, Levi Jackson All-Area Team selection, All-SCC, and a New Haven County Classic participant.Robert L. Como, Notre Dame-West Haven (1971): He had a four-year record of 33-3-1 and went on to become a captain at Colgate.Eric Khair Thimas, West Haven (1990): Set team records for career yards gained (3,445) and for a single season (1,188 yards), and also led the team to three CIAC championship games.Larry Lawler, Wilbur Cross (1962, posthumously): The two-way lineman went on to play in the Atlantic Coast League with the Westchester Bulls, an affiliate of the New York Giants at the time. Also an honored New Haven fireman.The social hour begins at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7.Tickets cost $65 each and are available by reservation only. Make checks payable to the New Haven Gridiron Club and send payment to Bill Santillo, 484 Orange Street, New Haven, CT 06511.For more information, contact Bill, the club president, at 203-804-9777 or at eagleproperties7@gmail.com.Sign up for the Connecticut Briefing from CT Insider. Get the biggest headlines of the day