Sports have a way of teaching invaluable life lessons — building character, fostering teamwork and strengthening the bonds within a community. In the Manchester area, these values have shaped some truly remarkable athletes from different eras, whose accomplishments continue to inspire.
Patch is celebrating five standout athletes whose achievements have left a lasting mark on our community. This list is just a snapshot, with countless other athletes helping shape the rich sports culture in our area.
A Manchester native, Joe McCluskey won bronze in the 3,000m steeplechase at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics, one of the first Manchester athletes to reach that stage. He went on to a decorated amateur career, winning multiple U.S. national steeplechase titles through the 1930s.
Born in Manchester, Kory Sheets went on to a pro football career that spanned the NFL and CFL after starring at Purdue. He won the CFL's Grey Cup with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2013, earning Grey Cup Most Valuable Player honors after rushing for 197 yards in the championship game.
A senior sprinter at Manchester High School, Samiya Eady swept the 100m and 200m at the 2026 CIAC State Open, setting a new meet record in the 200m at 24.06 seconds. She's headed to Sacred Heart University to continue her track career.
A Manchester High School graduate, Chaz Carr went on to a standout career at Boston University before turning pro. He played professional basketball overseas for nearly a decade, suiting up for clubs in Poland, Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Iceland, France and Venezuela.
A longtime Manchester resident, Gemetta Neal-Goulet built her basketball career on the officiating side of the game, working to be a visible role model for girls in the sport. She was inducted into the Connecticut Women's Basketball Hall of Fame's 2026 class for her contributions to the game.
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