Mike Tracy informed his players Friday that he is stepping down as football coach at Branford after four season.
Tracy took over in 2009 and compiled an 18-22 record. He’s been with the program in some capacity for 15 years.
Tracy, a physical education teacher at the school, gave three reasons for stepping down: his children, ages nine, six and four.
“I love coaching,” Tracy said. “But at the same time I want to be there for my kids when they’re growing up.”
Tracy will continue to oversee the program’s weight lifting activities until a new coach is officially hired.
“I’m not done coaching forever,” Tracy said. “I want to get back into coaching at some point.”to coaching at some point."


 Tracy is one of several state coaches who have stepped down since the end of the season.

OPEN SEATS

SCHOOL FORMER COACH

Abbott Tech (Chris Mascolo)
Avon (Brett Quinion)
Bacon Academy (Brian Enrique, has to re-apply for position)
Branford  (Mike Tracy)
Bridgeport Central (Dave Cadelina)
Bunnell (Craig Bruno)
Ellington/Somers (Keith Tautkus)
Fairfield Ludlowe (Matt McCloskey)
Fitch (Mike Emery)
Lewis Mills (Greg Todd)
Maloney (Bob Zito)
Masuk (John Murphy)
New Milford (Chuck Lynch)
Old Saybrook/Westbrook (Rudy Bagos)
Rockville (Rob Scholtz)
Stamford (Bryan Hocter)
St. Bernard/Norwich Tech (Scott Cook)
Torrington (Dan Dunaj)
Trinity Catholic (Peter Stokes)
Wilby (Gino Capuano, interim)
Woodstock Academy (Jesse Pimental)

NEW HIRES

East Lyme (Rudy Bagos) 
Naugatuck (Craig Bruno)

VIA PRESS RELEASE

New Haven, Conn. – As part of its 46th annual Weekend festivities, the Walter Camp Football Foundation will host a High School “Breakfast of Champions” on Saturday, January 12 at Anthony’s Ocean View in New Haven.  The sixth annual event will begin at 9 a.m. and be broadcast live at www.sportingnewsct.com.

 Hand, the Class L champion and state’s top-ranked team, will be honored along with the three other state champions – Xavier (Class LL), Hillhouse (Class M) and Ansonia (Class S).   In addition, the announcement of the 2012 Walter Camp All-Connecticut Team, presented by Achieve Athletics, will be made as will the presentations of four awards.

The state Coach of the Year award will be presented by Stadium System.  The three finalists include: Tom Brockett (Ansonia), Tom Dyer (Hillhouse), and Steve Filippone (Daniel Hand).

The three finalists for the state Player of the Year include:  Xavier senior quarterback Tim Boyle, Ansonia junior running back Arkeel Newsome and Daniel Hand senior linebacker/fullback Matt Walsh.

The Lifetime Achievement Award, which is presented by NFP Sports, will be presented to the family of the late Jack Hunt, the former head coach at Ansonia High School who won 88 percent of his games and seven state championships during his 19 seasons (193-26 record).

Walter Camp Award Winners

Joseph W. Kelly Award: Daniel Hand (Madison) High School
Connecticut Player of the Year: Bjoern Werner, defensive end (Florida State University/The Salisbury School)
Alumnus of the Year: Derrick Brooks (Florida State University)
Man of the Year: Herm Edwards (San Diego State)
Distinguished American:Tom Osborne (Hastings College/University of Nebraska)
Coach of the Year: Brian Kelly (University of Notre Dame)
Player of the Year: Manti Te’o, linebacker (University of Notre Dame)

EVENT SCHEDULE

Thursday, January 10

10 a.m. – STAY IN SCHOOL RALLY – Floyd Little Athletic Center – 480 Sherman Parkway

1 p.m. – CONNECTICUT CHILDREN’S CENTER VISIT – Hartford, CT

Friday, January 11

11 a.m. – MEDIA CONFERENCE/ALUMNI BRUNCH – Omni Hotel, Temple Street, New Haven, CT

1 p.m. – HOSPITAL VISITS – Easter Seals Goodwill Rehabilitation Center (New Haven), Feroletto Development Center  (Bridgeport), Gaylord (Wallingford), Veteran’s Administration (West Haven), and Yale-New Haven (New Haven)

4 – 7:30 p.m. – WALTER CAMP FAN FEST CLINIC & CARNIVAL
Floyd Little Athletic Center - 480 Sherman Parkway - Tickets: $10.00

Saturday, January 12

9 a.m. – High School “Breakfast of Champions” - Anthony’s Ocean View – New Haven

5 p.m. – 46th ANNUAL NATIONAL AWARDS DINNER***

Yale University Commons (New Haven) - DINNER is SOLD OUT.
The National Awards Dinner will be broadcast on ESPN3.

VIA PRESS RELEASE

The 37th Fred Jecusco's Sports Banquet for the Ansonia High football players, coaches, cheerleaders and dance team will be sponsored by the Holy Rosary Catholic Men's Club and be held on Monday, Jan.21
 at 6:30pm. at Holy Rosary Church Hall, 10 Father Salemi Dr. Ansonia.  

The Ansonia Gridiron Club will present their club annual awards at this dinner. A ziti and meatball dinner will be served. Tickets will be $7 per person. For ticket information and reservations contact Lou Macero at 203-736-9848,  Carmen Pitney at 203-735-6882 or Geri  Southard 203-736-5060, Ext. 303.

Asnonia won the Class S and NVL titles and finished the season at 14-0.