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In an era defined by change, innovation and progress, not much has been able to keep
up with the times. However, Tuesday, March 15, 2011 marked Bruce Park Sports’ 40th
anniversary of business in the Town of Greenwich.
In 1971, Richard Nixon was the President, The Milwaukee Bucks were on the verge
of sweeping the Baltimore Bullets to win the NBA championship, Walt Disney World
opened in Orlando, Florida and Tom Bisanzo opened Bruce Park Sports at the age of 24.
The store found its niche in Greenwich behind the then Bruce Park Grill at the corner of
Davis Avenue and Bruce Park Avenue. Tom prided his store on one principle: to treat
each customer with respect and dignity. As a local business, with a local homegrown
merchant, Tom wanted to make Bruce Park Sports a place of salvage and hospitality.
Forty years later, the business is situated on the corner of Mason Street and Lewis Street
in Central Greenwich. Despite moving locations, the priorities of the store have remained
the same as they were when the store first opened. Employees recognize each customer
and greet him or her as they enter the building. This helps maintain a small town feel at
the store while letting customers know that they will be taken care of in a way that will
benefit their wishes.
“We’re fortunate enough to be in Greenwich,” said Tom Bisanzo, “We have an amazing
group of customers and we try to fit their needs as best as possible.”
It is not easy for a business of any kind to remain successful over the course of four
decades. However, one of the keys to Bruce Park Sports’ success is their knack for
keeping up with the top products in every field. This allows the store to offer its
customers quality products at reasonable prices.
The employees at Bruce Park Sports try to add that little sense of personal touch to
everything they do. This includes wrapping a birthday or holiday gift, finding a customer
a suiting baseball glove or fitting lacrosse equipment or football cleats the right way.
Many of the products that the store has sold have changed over the forty-year span, but
the manner in which they are presented and delivered has been consistent
Having a store in central Greenwich that caters to the youth demographic has been
another large factor in the success of Bruce Park Sports. This has allowed the store
to develop relationships with its customers and watch these kids evolve into premier
athletes, as they get older.
As a token of Bruce Park Sports’ appreciation for the athletics in the Town of Greenwich,
the store is now featuring a unique window display that recognizes current and former
employees that have gone on to participate collegiate sports.
“The window display is our way of giving back to those who have helped us along the
way,” said Mark Bisanzo, Tom’s son and manager of Bruce Park Sports, “There is so
much story behind this store and this is our unique way of telling it.”
At the center of the display is a salute to Danny Maloney, a former employee who
pitched for the Brunswick School baseball team. Upon graduation, Danny proudly
chose to serve in the United States Air Force. As a result of the events on September 11,
2011, Danny went to Afghanistan to protect the rights and citizens of the United States.
He is a true patriot and is now finishing his second year of studies at the University of
Connecticut.
The display features equipment from Cam and Tommy Atkinson, who played their high
school hockey at Avon Old Farms and excelled on the prep school level as they led
their team to victories in the New England Championship three times. Both went on to
Boston College and guided their team to a National Championship last year, defeating
Wisconsin 5-0, as Cam tallied 2 goals in the final game. Cam has scored more goals than
any other college hockey player over the past two years and he will now bring his scoring
excellence to the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League.
Three former Greenwich High School lacrosse stars highlighted in the display are
University of North Carolina’s prolific goal scorer, Jimmy Dunster, University of
Virginia’s lead face off specialist, Ryan Benincasa and former Princeton University
goalie, Nikhil Ashra. Greg Smith, a former standout on Westhill High School’s state
championship baseball time is now a force at Rollins College in Florida as their
designated hitter. Mac Clonan, former Greenwich High School baseball captain,
continued his career as the catcher for Wesleyan University.
“Having my Virginia gear hanging in Mr. Bisanzo’s windows is awesome,” said Ryan
Benincasa, “The guys at the store are doing a great job magnifying the success of local
athletes, and I’m happy to be included.”
The display presents football helmets and jerseys from numerous Greenwich High School
football players. Former GHS All-State Linebacker Gigi Cadet is a senior at Colgate
University where he earned 1st Team All-Patriot League honors as a fullback for his
run-heavy football team. Former All-State Linebackers and brothers, Peter and Michael
Salvatore represented Bucknell University and Amherst College respectively. Tucker
Stafford, former quarterback and All-State selection at Greenwich High School is now
the starting tight end for Georgetown University. While his roommate, and former two-
time All-State center, Chris Bisanzo is also at Georgetown, but his career was cut short
by a serious back injury.
“I’ve been going to the store ever since I was a kid,” said Tucker Stafford, “They bend
over backwards for each and every customer that comes in.”
Mark Bisanzo, former GHS football and baseball captain, took his tackling talents to the
Boston College Rugby Club at outside center. Mike O’Connor, a former two-sport star
at Greenwich High, playing rugby and football, was an outstanding four-year starter for
Marist College’s rugby team.
The display also promotes Nick Chapar, a Greenwich High School graduate who
received his 2nd degree black belt and is now teaching at Kang Tae Kwon Do in Old
Greenwich. Nick Coletti, a musician, has displayed his bass guitar and his Renzo-Gracie
Jujitsu competition jersey. His band, The Mongolian Monkfish, will be performing
at The Shrine in Harlem, New York in May. Catherine Bisanzo, a former captain for
the Greenwich High School cheerleading and softball teams went on to cheer at the
University of Connecticut.
Many things have changed in Greenwich over the last forty years, but Bruce Park Sports
is not one of them. It has evolved into a multi-faceted store located right in the heart
of Greenwich’s business district. Bruce Park Sports hopes to recognize and salute all
of these homegrown Greenwich athletes as they continue to represent the their original
roots. The business is a mainstay of the Greenwich community and will continue to serve
residents in the Town of Greenwich.
“The past forty years has been a true treat for me,” said Tom Bisanzo, “I hope to be
around for forty more.”
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