Wallingford Native Suspended Amid Hazing Probe

Wallingford native Chris Eckert has been placed on paid administrative leave from his position as the head football coach of the Cromwell-Portland co-op football team as officials investigate allegations of hazing within the program, according to multiple reports.

NBC Connecticut reports that it received emails from parents, who wished to remain anonymous out of fear of retaliation against their children, that Cromwell football players were hazing teammates in the boys’ locker room.

The unnamed parents told NBC that one senior lined up freshmen and hit them with a belt, while others blocked the doors and windows and turned off the lights.

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NBC reports that a juvenile has been arrested in connection to the case, citing a source within the police department.

Eckert, 33, graduated from Sheehan High School in 2000 and played football there before moving on to Southern Connecticut State University, according to the Meriden Record-Journal. He became Cromwell’s head coach in 2011.

Cromwell Superintendent of Schools Paula Talty told WFSB 3 that the investigation was launched on the first day of school last week after a parent filed a complaint with the police department.

The state Department of Children and Families is also looking into the case, according to WFSB 3.

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