Two decades ago, a group of local community champions set out to boost tourism and help fill hotel rooms in Fairfield County, Connecticut. This area, just outside of New York City, boasts the largest county population in Connecticut and includes cities such as Bridgeport and Stamford.
What evolved from that initial effort to bring attention to the Fairfield County area was the Fairfield County Sports Hall of Fame & Youth Foundation (FCSHOFYF), which stands as a testament not only to the area’s dedication to wellness and healthy activities but also to its commitment to the area’s youth. It also just concluded its 20th anniversary celebration of being a respected community leader.
Founded from the ashes of the region’s sports commission following a cut to state tourism funding, the FCSHOFYF shifted focus to a newly defined mission: making a difference in the lives of citizens, especially young people, and helping them lead active, healthy lives through sports programs and recreation.
“We’re helping lead people to personal development through sports,” explains FCSHOFYF Executive Director Tom Chiappetta. “We put together a great team, and we started helping people access health, wellness, physical activity, and education.”
By adding the Hall of Fame aspect of the group after forming its 501(c)(3) non-profit, the organization not only strives to help people get healthier, but it also honors regional athletes and coaches and recognizes their accomplishments that have had a positive impact on Fairfield County athletics.
Reaching every kid: Supporting youth organizations in the Fairfield County area
When Chiappetta and his team first established the FCSHOFYF as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, they billed themselves as the number-one resource in the county for health, wellness, and sports. The team has continued to grow on that platform over the years through events and fundraisers, as well as through partnerships with other non-profits with similar missions.
“We gathered a small army of experts throughout the county,” explains Chiappetta. “We were able to work closely with youth organizations and provide them with access to people who could help in many ways.”
Some of those experts acted as mentors for underprivileged youth, established sports clinics, provided after-school access to sports, held panel discussions on a range of health-related topics, and helped foster a greater sense of community among the county’s separate municipalities.
Gradually, the team Chiappetta helped assemble began to give back to the communities with the most need. Although Fairfield County has a reputation for wealth and academic esteem, there remain pockets of low-income communities in each of the 37 municipalities in the region. There were youth sports programs that could not access sports equipment, for example, which led the non-profit to create an initiative that provided donated equipment to those programs most in need.
Good sports: Helping young athletes succeed
Through its Chelsea Cohen Fitness Academy umbrella, named for its first Courage Award recipient, FCSHOFYF has worked with countless partners in the county, though some have stood out as collaborations that Chiappetta is particularly proud of, including work with the Cardinal Shehan Center in Bridgeport and The Carver in Norwalk. Along the way, the non-profit gained a sponsorship with Stamford Health, the largest medical group in that city.
“They were terrific,” says Chiappetta. “Not only did it give us a lot of credibility, but they gave us materials to distribute and the opportunity to impact more organizations.”
Aligning with The Carver, the FCSHOFYF donated seed money to start a leadership program specifically aimed at young women’s mental and physical health. With the nonprofit’s help, The Carver provided opportunities to young women from middle school through high school to develop peer role models.
“The Norwalk High School girls’ basketball team won the state championship a few years back, which we would never take credit for,” Chiappetta says with a laugh. “But we will take credit for offering opportunities and having an impact. We’d like to think we are a part of the success story for these girls.”
In 2026, the FCSHOFYF aims to help approximately 25 different charities, many of which are centered on supporting youth programs in need, particularly for young girls and women. The organizations are spread across the county and represent every demographic. In the past two years, the FCSHOFYF has donated $120,000 to nearly 20 different youth groups in 10 separate communities.
To help facilitate this important work, Chiappetta and his team anticipate some generous grants and donations coming down the pipeline. But even as they continue to build on their donation coffers, their mission remains grounded.
“It’s not just about one town for us,” Chiappetta says. “The impact of FCSHOFYF builds year by year throughout our entire area.”
Leadership, participation, and those who donate help meet local needs
Being in such close proximity to New York City, Fairfield County has produced its share of important leaders in sports and wellness. When the Women’s Sports Foundation was started in 1974 by tennis legend Billie Jean King, its first two CEOs were Stamford natives Donna Lopiano and Karen Durkin. Their success in the sports industry has paved the way for young women to follow in their footsteps into high-level careers.
By getting experts on board and providing the funding and resources to supplement the needs for the local groups to thrive, the FCSHOFYF has grown by aligning itself with local people who complement its work. As its Hall of Fame highlights inspiring sports heroes, the community support and fundraising focus of the organization have sparked inspiration of their own, guiding area youth with information, education, equipment, resources, and access to leaders capable of helping the entire Fairfield County citizenry lead healthier, more active lives.
