Capasso resigns as Waterford girls' basketball coach

Mark Capasso thought about his decision every day since the girls' basketball season ended on March 13 in the Class M state tournament semifinals. “Driving my wife absolutely crazy,” he said. This week, Capasso made it official, submitting his resignation as Waterford High School's girls' basketball coach. He informed athletic director Dave Sousa and his players by email of his decision. The Lancers were 20-6 last season with a berth in the state semifinals and an Eastern Connecticut Conference Division II title.

Capasso was the head coach for two seasons, leading many of the players that he previously coached at Clark Lane Middle School, where he is a math teacher.

Capasso said he is nearing retirement from teaching and is looking to the future. He's also getting ready to become a grandfather again, he said, and wishes to spend more time with his family, including his wife Ellen.

“I talked to Dave about it and he said, ‘Hold off, you might change your mind,'” Capasso said Friday. “I love the coaching. I hate to leave there. It's just a great situation right now . ... They're such good kids and good players.

“I know I'm going to miss it … very badly. There was a lot of competition. It was a lot of fun. I'm going to miss all that. Saying goodbye to these kids yesterday was a very emotional day. I sent a long email through a lot of tears.”

Capasso said the only thing missing was the state championship at the end of the deep tournament run. The Lancers lost to eventual champion New Fairfield 46-43 in the semis.

“I would have loved to have the ending,” Capasso said. “It was the right group for it. They were into basketball. Sometimes at the end of the season you see kids mentally moving on; I didn't see that at all. They wanted the season to keep going.”

— Vickie Fulkerson