Date: Fri 22-Jan-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: KIMH

Quick Words:

Zito-Coaching-Stratford

Full Text:

Bob Zito Leaves Newtown For Stratford

(with photo)

BY KIM J. HARMON

Bob Zito is going home.

"We should all be as lucky as Bob Zito," said John Larkins, an assistant

football coach at Newtown High School for five seasons. "He's got a unique and

special situation to be going back home, back to his parents and the community

he loves."

Zito is leaving Newtown High -- possibly as early as February 1 -- to teach

and coach football at Stratford High School.

Although this move has existed in rumor for a few years now, it didn't become

a reality until just a few weeks ago when the Stratford superintendent of

schools called Zito and told him of the situation at the school -- that Walt

Czekaj, a teacher and coach for 15 years would be stepping down -- and asked

Zito to become a Red Devil.

Zito made his decision a few days ago and had to stand up in front of his

players on Tuesday afternoon and tell them all pretty much what they had

feared.

"The reality of it all set in (Tuesday)," he said. "That was the toughest

speech I've ever had to give. I tried to explain that it was a career move for

me, that sometimes this happens, and that it had nothing to do with them. Our

careers will go on next year and we'll all be doing something we love."

Zito, 45, was an assistant at Stratford, under Czekaj, from 1984 to 1989. In

1990, he arrived in Newtown and promptly lost his first game as a head coach

to New Fairfield.

All he did then was lead the team to a 9-1 record and the CIAC Class MM state

championship.

Newtown then won conference championships in 1991, 1992, 1996 and 1997 and

another state championship in 1992.

And with a 6-3-1 record in 1998, one of the strongest and most consistent

football programs in the state over the last decade has come to a fork in the

road.

"I was turning it over, back and forth, for a long time," said Zito. "But I'm

happy with my decision. Now I can sleep at night."

Because of some controversy in coach Czekaj's status at Stratford a few weeks

ago, the story came out at the Red Devils were interested in Zito (as it turns

out, Ridgefield was also very interested in Zito and attempted -- very

strongly -- to attract him).

Then there was the matter of waiting for the other shoe to drop.

"I'm not shocked," said coach Larkins. "I've been a friend of Bob's for more

years than he's been a coach and mentor and I've always wanted my friends and

family to do what's best for them."

It's best because Zito's parents, Casper and Gloria, live in the area and his

wife, Elaine, is comfortable with the community. The Zitos have two children

-- Jessica, 21, and Greg, 18. Greg attended Newtown High last year and played

football for his father.

"It will be real nice to spend some more time with (my parents)," said Zito.

But it didn't make the decision to leave easy. Coach Zito didn't really want

to have to tell his players what he was doing.

"The reason you come to work every day is the kids," he said. "And I didn't

want them to feel like I was going back on my commitment to the team."

Coach Zito has achieved great success with the Newtown High School football

team in nine seasons -- more success than most programs every get to enjoy.

But, as coach Larkins puts it, "the challenge now will be to see if he can go

for it (SWC or state championships) again."

Judging by coach Zito's track record -- it's a good bet.