Ross Field press box dedicated to ‘Voice of Groton’ Carl Gambitta

“For the first time in my life, I was truly speechless.” Those were the words that Carl Gambitta spoke at the Groton varsity football game at halftime during Homecoming October 6 — right after the new press box at Ross Field had been dedicated to him.  

Although those who’d been behind the scenes were concerned that Gambitta would find out before the surprise unveiling could happen, he admitted that he had absolutely no idea.  

“I knew I would be sharing the announcing at the homecoming game with Mike Lockwood and asked my wife, Mary Ann, if she would like to come and hear me,” Carl said, “but she said, ‘I hear you talk every day. I don’t need to go there to do it.’” 

Therefore, Carl was stunned to see Mary Ann and many of his family members and friends standing on the 50-yard line at halftime, including former longtime physical education teacher and athletic director, Larry King, who presented the dedication plaque to Carl, and the current athletic director, Mark Triolo, who read about Carl’s many accomplishments spanning 50 years of teaching and announcing.  

In fall of 1972, at the last home game of the season — a championship game against Dryden — portable lights were brought to the field to allow players to experience a night game. It was that game that launched Carl to become the official announcer of home football games and beyond. 

“I remember that night so well,” Carl said. “They had to rent those lights and put up a platform that was not very high for announcers to stand on. It was Groton’s first night game ever — and they won at the end of the game! The next year, they got permanent lights and put up the old original press box. They needed someone to announce, asked me to do it, and I said, ‘Sure.’ Then I went on to announce everything: soccer, youth sports — you name it, I announced it!” 

The idea to name the press box for Carl was first brought to the attention of Groton Central School’s superintendent, Margo Martin, by community member Kat Jackson. Martin then brought the nomination to the Governance Committee of the Board of Education to consider. The committee met in early September and included some community members, which included Jackson. 

“I actually didn’t know Carl,” Jackson said. “However, as a member of the Groton American Legion Auxiliary, and from talking with some of the longtime community members, Carl’s name consistently came up. Members said how dedicated he was to commentating games and volunteering for many other activities in the community. I was really pleased to be asked to be on the committee. This is really what living in a small town is all about!” 

One of Carl’s teaching colleagues was Marty Connor, who taught math and science from 1983 to 2016 and coached over 65 sports seasons, including as head football coach, and whose games Carl announced. Connor was also once Carl’s student himself. He also served on the committee that reviewed the nomination to put Carl’s name on the press box. 

“Having known Carl from the perspective of a student, and later as a colleague, I was truly pleased to see the dedication of the new press box go to such a respected Groton icon,” Connor said. “As a student, I recall many of his lessons involved his family, hunting and his everyday experiences! He had a knack for relating to every student, and all felt his caring spirit. As a colleague, he was a mentor for many of the younger teachers. Even after 50 years of teaching, he was an inspiration by displaying simple things like the ‘Wall of Fame’ in which he dedicated an entire wall [in a high school hallway] to students’ achievements! Carl was certainly a unanimous choice of all teachers, parents and community members to be the ‘Voice of Groton’!” 

Martin said that Carl is “a rare gem” and that “Groton was fortunate to have him.” 

“Giving an entire career to one school is remarkable in and of itself,” Martin said. “Then, you add in that it was a career of 50 years and it becomes a rarity. I only know of one other individual who has committed as much time to Groton as Carl, and I would say similar things about him. Carl’s ability to make relationships with everyone around him — students, faculty, staff and parents alike — drove his success. I have never heard anyone say a bad thing about Carl, and when his name comes up, it is followed with a genuine smile and a heartfelt story.” 

While Carl’s 50-plus years as an announcer began in 1972, his teaching career also spanned 50 years, but that began in 1963, when he was hired as a seventh-grade New York State history teacher, with a starting salary of $4,600.  

Carl’s wife, Mary Ann, also taught at Groton from 1981 to 2007 before she retired. Initially, she was a teacher’s assistant to Marian Davie for three years and spent the remaining time teaching English.  

Carl made the hard decision to retire from teaching in 2013, but he continued to announce football games and serve as a substitute teacher for the next several years. The COVID-19 pandemic put a pause on Carl’s illustrious career of service to Groton until this fall, when he returned to the press box to co-announce with Mike Lockwood.  

“The greatest thrill announcing these games is to see these young people work so hard and do things they can be proud of and accomplish so much,” Carl said. “It’s still as exciting since 1972!” 

Equally as exciting is the story of Carl’s teaching career, for which there is not enough space in this column to convey. To that end, be sure to come back to this column next week for that story! 

Groton on the Inside appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Submit story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com or text or call Linda at 607-227-4922.  

In brief: 

Puttin’ on the pork! 

The McLean Community Church, 50 Church St., will hold a marinated pork chop dinner from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21. Each dinner features a 14-ounce Porterhouse pork chop, baked potato, corn, applesauce, homemade cake and beverages. The cost per dinner is $15. Take-out orders will be available. 

Concert and food at the library 

The Groton Public Library will host a “Concert and Food” night from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20.

Josh Dwyer and Travis Knapp will perform inside the library, and the Holy Smoked food truck will be available outside. There will also be free hot dogs and snacks prepared by Tina from Cornell Cooperative Extension under the outdoor library tent. For more information, call 607-898-5055 or email director@grotonpubliclibrary.org. 

Ridge Runners spaghetti supper 

The Groton Ridge Runners Snowmobile Club will hold its first spaghetti supper of the season from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11 at its clubhouse, 748 Salt Rd., 1 mile north of Rt. 90. Meals include spaghetti and meatballs, bread, beverage and a side salad. This is a perfect way to enjoy a unique dining experience in a rustic country setting. Take-out dinners are also available. Everyone is welcome. Proceeds support local snowmobile trails and Groton Ridge Runners Snowmobile Club.