Foxborough, Mass. (November 30, 2011) – Pembroke High School's Bob Bancroft has been named the New England Patriots High School Football Coach of the Week after earning his 200th win with his team's 27-14 victory over Silver Lake Regional High School on Thursday, Nov. 24. The win gives the Titans the first 10-0 record in Pembroke's six-year history and is the program's first victory over Silver Lake. Pembroke came back from an early deficit to earn a spot in the EMASS Division III semifinal.
The New England Patriots Charitable Foundation will donate $1,000 to Pembroke High School's football program in Bancroft's name in recognition of his Coach of the Week selection.
Patriots and Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Andre Tippett, the team's executive director of community affairs, visited Coach Bancroft and his team on Tuesday, Nov. 29 at Pembroke High School. The visit and check presentation will be featured on the team's weekly television magazine show, Patriots All Access, which airs at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2 on WBZ-TV in Boston and later on Patriots.com.
This season marks the 16th year in which the Patriots have joined the National Football League in conducting the High School Coach of the Week program, which recognizes outstanding high school coaches and promotes youth football throughout New England. Tippett oversees the program as part of the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation's commitment to youth football initiatives.
"I enjoyed visiting with Coach Bancroft and the Titans after such a a meaningful victory for the coach, his players and Pembroke High School," said Tippett on Tuesday. "This victory was a result of the hard work, dedication and perseverance displayed by both the team and community in building this program. The Patriots are pleased to present this week's Coach of the Week Award and donation to Coach Bancroft and the Pembroke football program."
At the conclusion of the season, one high school coach will be named the New England Patriots High School Coach of the Year and will receive an additional $2,000 contribution toward the school's football program.
In previous years, Tippett has invited the Coach of the Week and senior captains for a visit to Gillette Stadium, but decided to take the award on the road in 2011 so he could visit the schools that benefit from the program. This year is also the first year the Patriots will accept nominations for High School Coach of the Week. Anyone who knows a high school football coach in New England who has a great week or reaches a personal career milestone is encouraged to submit a nomination at nominatecoach@patriots.com.
The New England Patriots Charitable Foundation is the non-profit through which the Patriots support charitable and philanthropic organizations throughout New England. This support comes in the form of direct grants, in-kind donations and player appearances. The foundation assists a variety of charitable organizations and programs throughout New England by supporting their educational, family and health initiatives. For more information, visit www.patriots.com/community.
