(Updated with additional background and quotes at 7:17 p.m.)
Walt Czekaj, the winningest football coach in Stratford history, died Monday night. He was 72.
During his 15-year tenure at Stratford, Czekaj went 117-44 and took the Red Devils to four state championship games. Stratford, led by current coach Duane Shirden at tailback, won the 1988 Class SS championship with a 42-2 victory over Sacred Heart of Waterbury.
A graduate of Stratford and the University of Bridgeport, where he played quarterback and linebacker, Czekaj served as an assistant coach under McMahon’s Jack Casagrande and Trumbull’s Jerry McDougall. He also spent six years at Norwalk from 1977-1982 before returning to his alma mater for one year as an assistant under Vincent Lombardo.
Czekaj was also the first wrestling coach in Trumbull’s history. He later coached Norwalk’s wrestling team to two FCIAC championships and a state runner-up finish.
“He was number one, a premier teacher, a master coach as well, and one of the warmest people I’ve ever met in my life,” said McDougall, one of Czekaj’s closest friends who hired him away from McMahon in 1968. “”He loved what he did all of his life. He was a great peer example to the thousands of kids he touched both in physical education and in coaching.”
Czekaj coached under McDougall for eight years and left for Norwalk after Trumbull’s 29-7 loss to Fitch in the first CIAC Class LL state championship game in 1976.
Czekaj was 16-39-1 at Norwalk. When hired at Stratford on July 17, 1984, the program had gone through two coaches in two years. Czekaj’s goal was, “to get some continuity and stability into the program,” Czekaj told the Connecticut Post. “The kids have gone through two coaches in two years, so hopefully I’ll be there for a while.”
Czekaj, who retired in 1998, after a 15-12 loss to Darien in the Class M semifinals, had recently been admitted to Bridgeport Hospital due to complications from a stroke.
“I had very high respect for Walt,” McDougall said. “Like many of the people that I came across in the teaching and coaching eras, I can say Walt Czekaj was at the top of ladder. Loved him dearly as a friend and a confidant.”
Funeral arrangements were not immediately known Tuesday evening.
(Note: This entry was updated with quotes from Jerry McDougall at 6:44 p.m. and additional information at 7:17 p.m.)
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Walt was the grandfather of two boys, who happen to be my twin boy’s good friends. I met Walt at one of his grandson’s birthday parties. He adored his grandsons. When I found out who he was, I introduced myself and we had a long conversation on his high school coaching career. I found out he was an assistant coach under Jerry McDougall at Trumbull HS in 1976. I am an alumnus of Wilton High School ( I did not play football but uwas a big fan). Wilton finished 8-1 that year, the only loss being to Trumbull. We lost 22-0 in a Hurricane…the only game played in the state that Saturday. He told me that Jerry asked him if they should play the game…he said yes…you can’t run the wishbone in the rain. He called his good friend Tom Fujitani, HC of Wilton at the time..and the game was played. He was especially proud of the 1988 State Champion Stratford Red Devils. I went to the Masuk-Stratford Game this year and sat next to some old-timers. They were talking about Walt and his recent admission to a hospice. They were saying that he was a wonderful guy and a great coach. I did not know him well, but he was so friendly and more than willing to talk about HS Football with me. I was looking forward to the next birthday party so I could grill him again concerning high school football.
Comment by master of meaningless information — October 14th, 2008 @ 7:30 pm
A great coach and an even better person.he was at ths when i was there [72-74]he was compassionate…yet stern…he was someone you could talk to but you knew he was in charge…teamed great with coach mac…he is with God now….hope to see ya in the future kach
Comment by Vin Laczkoski — October 15th, 2008 @ 11:36 am
Words can’t describe how much your going to be missed COACH. You’ve touched so many lives in your own special way. While visiting you at the hospital during your last few days..God whisphered to by soul and told me..”his legacy will carry on though those he touched” Thank you for helping mold the man I am today!!
Charles Staples Jr CLASS OF 97′
Football Captain # 3
Comment by Charles Staples Jr — October 16th, 2008 @ 1:40 am
Walt was a Gentleman and a Terrific Coach. Respected by many, especially Officials who worked his games. Heaven has a good man in the house.
Comment by Mike Fagan( Official) — October 25th, 2008 @ 8:11 am
our son was one of the captains back in 76 for trumbull….we lost kevin in 1991..I am sure they are both on that football field in the sky…remembering old times……
Bill and Anita collins….
p s that was one hell of a game…!!!!
Comment by bill collins — October 25th, 2008 @ 8:51 am