Last night, over 50 students and their fathers gathered in Delbarton’s FAC for a powerful and unforgettable evening at the Fathers and Friends Night of Dialogue. The special guest for the night was Craig Carton, a well-known radio and TV personality who captivated the audience with a raw, honest, and deeply personal account of his life journey—one that includes a battle with gambling addiction, loss, redemption, and the hard work required to rebuild everything he once lost.

Carton, who became a household name as a co-host of Boomer and Carton on WFAN and later as a personality on FS1, shared the incredible story of his rise to fame, his descent into addiction, and his eventual path to recovery. With great humility and candor, he detailed how his once-thriving career took a dark turn as gambling took control of his life.

The evening began with Carton recounting how his gambling addiction started innocently enough, but soon spiraled out of control. His addiction grew so intense that it led to a series of devastating consequences, including losing all his money, nearly losing his family, and ultimately being arrested for financial crimes related to his gambling habits. In a moment of self-reflection, Carton recalled a particularly low point—waking up at 4 a.m. on a park bench, facing the harsh reality of his situation.

"It was a wake-up call for me," Carton shared with the audience. "I had everything—a family, a career, a future—and I lost it all. I was facing the consequences of my own choices, and I didn’t know how I’d ever get back on my feet."

For Carton, the journey back wasn’t easy. He talked about the immense challenges of rebuilding his life, his career, and most importantly, earning back the trust of his family. His story of hitting rock bottom and working tirelessly to regain control of his life and career was one of resilience and accountability. Carton emphasized how crucial it was to own up to his mistakes and put in the work to rebuild, not just for himself, but for his loved ones.

"I had to earn everything back—my family, my job, my reputation. It wasn’t handed to me. It was a long, hard climb, but it was worth every step," he said. Carton credits his former colleague at WFAN for saving him and giving him the opportunity to come back to the profession that he truly loves.

The evening continued with a Q&A session, where the audience had the opportunity to ask Carton about his journey, the lessons he’s learned along the way, his belief in God during his struggles and his advice to young men facing their own challenges. One of the most powerful themes that emerged from the conversation was the importance of accountability when it comes to gambling and the dangers of online sports betting.

Carton emphasized the importance of financial responsibility when parents allow their sons to gamble on sports and signs to watch for when it comes to a gambling addition.  

The night concluded with a sense of inspiration and a shared understanding of the importance of perseverance, family, and the courage it takes to admit when things aren’t going well and seek help.

Delbarton's Fathers and Friends Night of Dialogue offered a rare opportunity for students and their fathers to reflect on the importance of family bonds, personal responsibility, and the power of redemption. Thank you to Mr. Chuck Ruebling for setting up an eventful evening and a big thank you to Craig Carton for stopping in to share your story with our young men.

It was an evening of learning, growth, and powerful insights—one that will no doubt resonate with those who were fortunate enough to be in the room.