Derby History Quiz - Ryan Field

Current Quiz   Archives of all quizzes

quiz14.jpg (14771 bytes)
1935


2015

Today it is Ryan Field, but back in 1935 when the first picture was taken by the late John P. Kiley it was known as Coon Hollow Field. Today it is the home of the Derby High School football, soccer and baseball teams. The 2015 picture is facing north from the hill behind the third base line on the baseball field. According to notes written on the back of the picture by Mr. Kiley, the project was financed by a $100,000 bond issue floated by the City of Derby. The mayor's name at the time was George  P. Sullivan. Interestingly, Mr. Kiley who played some football himself as a student at Derby High School was Town Clerk at the time. According to his notes, the W.P.A., a depression-era works project, didn't get involved in this project until October of 1936.

The Sports Complex on Chatfield Street was renamed in honor of legendary Derby High School teacher and coach "Nuggy" Ryan. The football portion of the complex was renamed for another legendary Derby football coach, Lou DeFillipo in 1997.

And then it all changed when the city received a state grant to improve the track and football field artifical turf - and then along came Joan Payden to save and expand the underfunded project to include a new baseball field and an incredible new field house. Speculation on the actual cost runs as high as $25,000,000 for the total price, but the football/track/field house were formally dedicated in 2019, but the baseball field's dedication was delayed because of COVID until baseball season 2021. It is now considered the finest high school athletic complex in the state of CT!

Correct answers were received from:
Tom Chebro
David Neustaedtar
Jonathan Lovisolo
Ed Cotter (Bonus questions also!)
Randy Ritter (Bonus questions also!) 
Clarence Douglas (Bonus questins also!)

To see our earlier quizzes and learn more about Derby's unique history, click here.

Back to Derby Home page