VERNON, Conn. -- An assistant coach for the University of Connecticut men's basketball team was arrested Tuesday after causing a disturbance because he could not enroll his child in a town recreation program, police said.
Andre LaFleur of Manchester, an assistant coach with the UConn team since September 2004, was arrested Tuesday morning at a Vernon recreation department office and charged with breach of peace, Vernon police said.
LaFleur yelled at a worker after being told he could not register his child for a particular program because its slots had all been filled, police said.
Another department employee became nervous and called police to report the profanity-laced tirade, in which LaFleur cited his connection to the UConn program in an apparent attempt to get his child into the program, police said.
LaFleur was later released on $500 bond and is scheduled to appear in Rockville Superior Court on Aug. 15.
In a written statement, LaFleur said that his son had attended the Vernon program over the past three summers, and that he became upset when he learned the boy could not attend this year because of a policy change.
LaFleur apologized to his family, the university and the Vernon employee for the incident. He said he "spoke out of character, making remarks I clearly regret."
"As a camp counselor and coach myself, I have dealt with many frustrated parents over the years," he said in the statement. "Unfortunately, today I became one of those frustrated parents, which is not an excuse, and for that I personally apologize to the counselor involved."
LaFleur has been an assistant coach of the UConn men's basketball team since September 2004. Before becoming assistant coach, LaFleur was the team's head of basketball operations for three years.
Mike Enright, a spokesman for the university's athletic department, said Athletic Director Jeff Hathaway and head coach Jim Calhoun were aware of LaFleur's arrest.
"At this time we would have no further comment, as it is a pending matter," Enright said.
LaFleur played for three years under Calhoun, then Northeastern's head basketball coach. Calhoun left before LaFleur's senior year to become head coach at UConn.
LaFleur, who left Northeastern as the NCAA's all-time leader in assists, played basketball professionally in Australia for 11 years.
Andre LaFleur of Manchester, an assistant coach with the UConn team since September 2004, was arrested Tuesday morning at a Vernon recreation department office and charged with breach of peace, Vernon police said.
LaFleur yelled at a worker after being told he could not register his child for a particular program because its slots had all been filled, police said.
Another department employee became nervous and called police to report the profanity-laced tirade, in which LaFleur cited his connection to the UConn program in an apparent attempt to get his child into the program, police said.
LaFleur was later released on $500 bond and is scheduled to appear in Rockville Superior Court on Aug. 15.
In a written statement, LaFleur said that his son had attended the Vernon program over the past three summers, and that he became upset when he learned the boy could not attend this year because of a policy change.
LaFleur apologized to his family, the university and the Vernon employee for the incident. He said he "spoke out of character, making remarks I clearly regret."
"As a camp counselor and coach myself, I have dealt with many frustrated parents over the years," he said in the statement. "Unfortunately, today I became one of those frustrated parents, which is not an excuse, and for that I personally apologize to the counselor involved."
LaFleur has been an assistant coach of the UConn men's basketball team since September 2004. Before becoming assistant coach, LaFleur was the team's head of basketball operations for three years.
Mike Enright, a spokesman for the university's athletic department, said Athletic Director Jeff Hathaway and head coach Jim Calhoun were aware of LaFleur's arrest.
"At this time we would have no further comment, as it is a pending matter," Enright said.
LaFleur played for three years under Calhoun, then Northeastern's head basketball coach. Calhoun left before LaFleur's senior year to become head coach at UConn.
LaFleur, who left Northeastern as the NCAA's all-time leader in assists, played basketball professionally in Australia for 11 years.