Foxborough, Mass. - Norwood High School's John Sarianides has been named this week's New England Patriots High School Coach of the Week in recognition of his team's 27-14 victory over Natick High School on Saturday, Sept. 17. Touchdown drives on all four of their first-half possessions powered the team to the program's first victory over Natick since 2005. The New England Patriots Charitable Foundation will donate $1,000 to Norwood High School's football program in Sarianides' name in recognition of his Coach of the Week selection.
Patriots and Hall of Fame linebacker Andre Tippett, the team's executive director of community affairs, visited Coach Sarianides and his team on Tuesday, Sept. 20 at Norwood 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, Sept. 23 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 am thrilled to kick off another season of the New England Patriots Coach of the Week award at Norwood High School with Coach Sarianides and the Mustangs," Tippett said. "After meeting with the team, I can see that they embody the values of perseverance, mental toughness and hard work. Coach Sarianides did a tremendous job preparing his team, both mentally and physically, for their matchup last weekend. The Patriots are proud to be able to reward his team and Norwood High School with a donation to the football program and we wish them the best of luck going forward."
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.
