Cursory reflection of the recent event at Washington Park, where the city of Groton dedicated the baseball field to the great Roger Bidwell, the forever face of UConn Avery Point, would reveal all the surface level sentiments such days produce.

Good for Roger. Nice guy. Good idea. Well deserved. About time.

All true. Just remember the keywords: surface level. Because the day represented so much more, eclipsing even Bidwell's interests, all the way to the unintended consequence of morphing into a de facto reunion for hundreds of former players, friends and family members, few of whom probably had any idea how much they missed each other.

Many of attendees needed that feel-good day more than a lung, what with the residual effects of COVID-related isolation still hovering, not to mention the more underrated notion that time's passage always seems to leave less time for the people who often mean most.

And so in the ever-noble pursuit of renewal and reconnection, there are three other sports figures here in our corner of the world who deserve the same consideration as Bidwell. Not only would the dedications honor the good lives lived of the recipients, but they'd create more impromptu reunions and reasons to smile and raise a glass, not necessarily in that order.

In no particular order:

• How about Don Bugbee Gym in Old Lyme? "Bugs," as he's known rather affectionately in town, has won 360 games and a state championship as the high school girls' basketball coach. Then there's this: Nobody loves Old Lyme or has been more dedicated to it more than he.

Bugbee is a sixth-generation Old Lymer. He was born and raised in Old Lyme, attended Old Lyme schools, has been the town's Parks and Recreation Director for 30 years and rarely leaves home without wearing something royal blue, the school's primary color.

And in the same spirit as the Waterfordians call the Francis X. Sweeney Fieldhouse "The X," we could call Don Bugbee Gym "The Bug."

• East Lyme ought to name the softball field after Judy Deeb, the living legend in her 50th year coaching the program. Judy Deeb Field at Veterans Memorial Park.

Deeb has coached more than 1,000 games. She is the state wins leader, the 1994 state champion and the only coach in the history of the program that began in 1972. Note: 1972 is the year Title IX became law. And Deeb is its personification.

She was, to borrow the line from the country song, women's sports before women's sports were cool. She was the pioneer, the champion, the fighter and the paragon. Every little girl who gets to play sports around here now without thinking twice about it owes Deeb some thanks. We should thank her, too, for showing us the right way to do things for 50 years.

• Not to criticize Groton after its exemplary decision to honor Bidwell, but its work is half done. The baseball field at Fitch High should be named after Ed Harvey, who won more than 400 games and three state titles in 34 years coaching here.

This is a no brainer. In his tenure, six Fitch players were drafted or signed to professional contracts: Bill Dorsey (1974, Philadelphia); Scott Khoury (1981, Cleveland); Dave Piela (1984, Atlanta); Paul Menhart (1987, pitched in the majors for Toronto and San Diego); Brian Dahl (1992, Toronto) and Mike Joyce (1997, Yankees).

Harvey coached 11 players who were named all-state: Kevin McCarthy (1975), Dave Piela (1984), Chris Piela (1985), Jazz Freitas (1990), Scott Santoro (1990), Anthony Wilson (1996), Adam Pescatello (2000), Will Deveau (2002), Matt Browning (2005, 2006), current Fitch coach Brian McGugan (2005) and Matt Harvey (2005, 2006, 2007).

Ask any of them and they'll tell you that they can hear the voice of "Hawkeye" in their heads.

There are very likely other examples in other towns. And yes, the Blowhard-O-Meter in some places tends to make these things political. But really, now. Bugbee, Deeb and Harvey weren't merely invested in their programs. But their towns, too.

Can't wait for all this to happen. They will be the social events of the season.

This is the opinion of Day sports columnist Mike DiMauro