Don Drust, who led Cheshire to a 6-4 record this season as interim coach, has officially been hired on a full-time basis it was announced Friday. Drust took over for Mark Ecke, who resigned this past spring after an off-field altercation. Below is the press release on Drust sent by Cheshire High officials.

 

Cheshire High Principal Jeff Solan and Athletic Director Steve Trifone are pleased to announce the naming of Don Drust as Head Football Coach at Cheshire High School effective immediately.  

The decision to hire Mr. Drust was grounded in his commitment to the development of students as learners, citizens, and athletes.  Mr. Trifone indicated that “Don is fully vested in our athletes not only as football players, but as students and community contributors”.  Mr. Solan added that “Mr. Drust serves as an outstanding role model for our student-athletes on and off the field of competition and Cheshire High School is honored to make him part of our team”.  

 

With the identification of a head coach, Mr. Drust and the athletic department will begin to post available assistant coaching positions.  

Anyone interested in joining the football coaching staff should contact Athletic Director, Steve Trifone at strifone@cheshire.k12.ct.us.

WEST HAVEN — A stout defense has been the difference in many football contests.

New Haven County is hoping that’s the case against Fairfield County in the 16th Hall of Fame Classic, set for 5 p.m. Saturday at Ken Strong Stadium in West Haven.

The squads have split the last four meetings, but New Haven County holds a 10-5 series lead. Fairfield County, though, won 34-14 last year.

New Haven County coach Mark Ecke believes defense is, unquestionably, his team’s strength.

Read more here.

Stopped up to the New Haven County practice on Monday at West Haven High.

NHC coach Mark Ecke said the team is coming along. Defense has been a strength led by Xavier corner back Ryan Murphy and linebackers Joe Ortoli (Shelton) and Tim Dube (Hamden).

We'll run a few stories this week in advance of the game, most likely Wednesday, Friday and Saturday in both print editions of the Register and on-line.

16TH HALL OF FAME CLASSIC 

What: New Haven County vs. Fairfield County
When: Saturday, 5 p.m.
Where: Ken Strong Stadium, West Haven
Tickets: $7 at the door, $5 in advance by calling Paul at (203) 231-3992
Last year’s result: Fairfield County 34, New Haven County 14
Series history: New Haven County leads 10-5.
Coaches: New Haven County: Mark Ecke; Fairfield County: John Svatik
For more information: Visit www.newhavenfootballfoundation.com.

Mark Ecke said Tuesday that lack of support from school officials played a role in his decision to resign as Cheshire’s football coach.

Ecke said in an e-mail to media outlets Monday that he is stepping down.

His decision comes almost two weeks after being suspended due to an incident at a junior varsity lacrosse game in Glastonbury involving his son Tucker on May 3 in which police were called to the field.

Ecke, the head coach at Cheshire since the 1995 season, was awaiting a hearing that had yet to be scheduled by Cheshire’s Board of Education.

“It’s not a decision I wanted to make, but a decision that had to be done,” Ecke told the Register on Tuesday. “I was told by (Cheshire superintendent Greg J. Florio) that I would not enjoy the support of the administration if it went to a hearing. I kind of was boxed into a corner.”

Read more here.




Chip Malafronte weighs in on the Ecke issue. Read it here.

Here is a press release Ecke sent this evening.

5/21/12

I am contacting you this evening to let you know that I have decided to step down from my duties as head football coach at Cheshire High School. It was a difficult decision, but one that I believe best serves my family, the football program and my players.

It has been my honor to coach our players over the last 24 years, players that have gone on to all levels of success not just in football but in life. I will always have great memories of the big wins, and still lose sleep over the heartbreaking defeats. To me, however, the wins and losses pale in comparison to the opportunity that I’ve had to be a positive influence on so many student-athletes’ lives. I have had the chance to coach players that have honored our country with service in the military, players that have attended all the service academies, nearly every Ivy League Institution and NESCAC school and other great schools around the country. Our program has alumni that are doctors, lawyers, teachers, police officers, and many that run their own successful businesses. It is always a thrill to get together with them and reminisce about our time together.

If you speak with any of our players or coaches, I believe they will share with you that I am passionate about the game of football, I am passionate about our program and our players, and I am most passionate about my family. I feel very protective of each of them, and, if I feel one of them is not being treated properly, I am vocal about it. 

I look forward to new challenges for myself, and plan to coach again. I leave behind a tremendous group of seniors that I have grown very close to. I know that they will rise to the challenge that is being placed before them and I wish them well. 

I would like to thank everyone for the countless e-mails, phone calls, and texts, as well as those that have approached me offering support over the last few weeks. I would also like to thank my peers in the high school coaching community. Your thoughts and words of encouragement have meant a lot to me and my family. I would also like to thank the community, parents and the longtime supporters of Cheshire Football for all your support over the last 24 years. It has been my honor and pleasure to work with all of you.

See you in the Fall,

Mark.

A spokesman for the Glastonbury Police Department confirmed Monday that Cheshire High School football coach Mark Ecke did not have to be forcibly escorted from a junior varsity lacrosse game at Glastonbury High School on May 3rd.

Ecke was suspended last week by school officials for unspecified conduct issues associated with an incident at a Cheshire-Glastonbury game which he was attending as a parent. Ecke admits that he angrily berated a game official for not calling a penalty when his 15-year-old son Tucker was injured when a Glastonbury player made helmet-to-helmet contact with the boy, but said he was not arrested and left the game with the teenager to seek medical attention.

Glastonbury Police Sergeant Richard McKeon, a police spokesman, confirmed that Ecke was not arrested. McKeon said officers were summoned to the game because of reports of an “unruly parent.”


Read more from Luther Turmelle here.

Cheshire High School football coach Mark Ecke has been placed on suspension from his position pending a hearing due to unspecified conduct issues, Gerry Brittingham, chairman of the Cheshire Board of Education, said Friday.

Brittingham declined to comment on the circumstances surrounding the suspension or when it initially took affect. Brittingham also said the hearing has not been scheduled yet.

“We are waiting to get the schedule of (board labor attorney) Floyd Dugas,” he said.

Multiple sources have told the Register that the incident occurred at a May 3 Cheshire junior varsity lacrosse game at Glastonbury in which his 15-year-old son, Tucker, was playing.

Read more here.