Former Granby Memorial field hockey coach Dot Johnson is familiar with the Gold Key banquet and the Gold Key awards presented by the Connecticut Sports Writers’ Alliance.

Regarded as the highest sports award in the state, the Gold Key has been presented to more than 200 men and women including Hall of Fame baseball manager Connie Mack (1940), boxer Willie Pep (1961), NHL legend Gordie Howe (1992), Hall of Fame basketball coaches Geno Auriemma (2001) and Jim Calhoun (2003), Rebecca Lobo (2004) and U.S. women’s soccer star Kristine Lilly (2012).

“When I got the email I thought it was a mistake. Then you called me and I thought you were messing with me,” Johnson said, speaking to Tim Jensen, president of the Connecticut Sports Writers Alliance. “Then you convinced me that I was getting a Gold Key, I was tremendously honored.”

The long-time coach and athletic director at Granby will be one of five recipients of a Gold Key at the Connecticut Sports Writers’ Alliance’s 77th annual Gold Key banquet on Sunday, April 29 at the Aqua Turf in Southington.

Click here to view the full story, courtesy of Gerry deSimas, Jr. Collinsville Press.com