Legendary Eastern Connecticut Radio Personality Bestowed Major State Award From Peers

WILLIMANTIC, CT — An eastern Connecticut radio legend has been recognized by his peers with a major award.

Last month, Wayne Norman was honored with the Bob Barton Excellence in Media Award by the Connecticut Sports Media Alliance.

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Norman can claim the longest-running morning show in the state, having begun his tenure at WILI Radio in Willimantic in 1970.

Norman grew up in southern California and moved to Trumbull in 1965. A college career at the University of Connecticut began the love affair with the eastern part of the state.

He worked at UConn's WHUS and in Ansonia at WADS before coming to WILI. He was named to the Connecticut Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2018 and, two years later, was the National Sports Media Association Sportscaster of the Year.

Three years ago, Norman received the Monahan and Wallace and Media Award from the Eastern Athletic Communications Association for outstanding coverage of eastern intercollegiate athletics.

Norman has worked as a UConn football and basketball color analyst since 1979.

In addition to UConn national titles, he has called four Eastern Connecticut State University national baseball championships.

His first call of more than 300 Eastern baseball games was done in 1973 from a pay phone behind home plate at a NAIA regional playoff game in Springfield, VA.

Norman was the master of ceremonies for the dedication of Eastern's baseball field in honor of legendary coach Bill Hollowaty.