“The name kind of says it all,” said Mike Chase with the knowing smile of someone imparting a simple fact of life as we stood among shelves upon shelves of ornate and varied types of trophies, because for this week’s edition of Punching the Clock, I had shambled on over to ‘The Trophy Guy and Sports Connection.’

I had to agree with Mike, however. Located at 22 S. Broad St. in Norwich, The Trophy Guy is indeed a pretty self-explanatory name as the business provides people with quality and professional service in regards to awards, plaques and ... well, trophies. The business also boasts the largest selection in the area as well as having the only awards showroom within a three county radius. Mike takes great pride in being able to show his customers a large array of what he can offer them, not through a catalogue as most places do, but through substantial examples of his work which can be picked up and examined.

Another point of pride for Mike is his use of a state-of-the-art engraving laser which allows him to work with acrylics as well as other mediums which can rarely be provided by others in his industry.

On most days, The Trophy Guy is a one man rodeo, with Mike manning the phones, greeting walk-in customers, and building the actual trophies. When I arrived, however, he was being aided by his son, Andrew. Shortly after Mike had acquainted me with some of the basics of the business he was forced to rush off to handle an incoming customer, leaving me in the back to help Andrew assemble an order.