Baseball Dugouts Named in Honor of Dedicated Alumnus

From his time as a student to his involvement as a graduate to his service on the Board of Trustees, Michael Carretta ’71 has always been avidly devoted to Canterbury School and its baseball program. Now, Mike’s name will be a permanent part of the hilltop campus—the Sheehan Field dugouts have been named “The Carretta Dugouts” as a tribute to his support through the years and a recent gift to the School. A plaque hangs in the home dugout to commemorate the honor.

At the dedication ceremony prior to the team’s 1-0 victory over Cheshire Academy, Varsity Baseball Head Coach Todd Mathewson expressed his appreciation to Mike for being a loyal friend to the program. “I always look forward to my calls with Mike when he asks about the season, what colleges our players decide to go to, or recruiting at Canterbury,” he said. “Mike, we are eternally grateful for your gift, and in heartfelt recognition, beginning today, our dugouts will now forever be called The Carretta Dugouts. Thank you for everything.”

Director of Athletics and Varsity Baseball Assistant Coach Jim Stone P ’23, ’24 then praised Mike for his athletic prowess as a Saint. “Everybody knows Mike as a great friend to Canterbury and to all of us here, and he has represented the school so well,” Jim told the crowd in attendance. “But I also want you to know that Mike was an outstanding three-sport athlete at Canterbury—a tremendous shortstop for the team with great range and a big arm, a terrific shooter in basketball, and a top-notch receiver for the football team. So, Mike, we appreciate everything that you have ever done for the School. You will always be a part of Canterbury baseball.”

The Founder and President of Carretta USA, Mike became a Trustee in 2011, served as Board Secretary, and has been a member of the Finance, Advancement, Facilities, and Athletics Committees during his tenure. He retired from the Board in 2023.

After the dugout dedication, Mike was quick to share his appreciation for his alma mater. “Canterbury had been the most important part of my life. I came here as a junior on scholarship, and I loved it,” he said. “The school taught me so much. It changed the entire way that I looked at the world and everything that I did.” Turning to Todd and the team, he added: “Go out and win this game today, and let’s get a championship!”

Mike was then invited to take the mound and throw the ceremonial first pitch, with Board President Nick Ragland ’88, P ’21 serving as catcher. To no one’s surprise, it was right down the middle!

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