Foxborough, Mass. – Northbridge High School's Ken LaChapelle has been named this week's New England Patriots High School Coach of the Week after his record-breaking 324th career win, a new state record. The Rams defeated Clinton, 61-21, in the first round of the playoffs to improve to 8-0 and advance to the Division 5 Central semifinals. A former quarterback for Northbridge, LaChapelle has spent his entire coaching career at the school and is the only coach in state history to win 300 games at one school. The New England Patriots Charitable Foundation will donate $1,000 to Northbridge High School's football program in LaChapelle'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 LaChapelle and his team on Tuesday, Nov. 4, at Northbridge High School. The visit and check presentation will be featured on the team's weekly television show, "Patriots All Access," which airs on Friday, Nov. 7, at 7 p.m. on WBZ-TV in Boston and will be available immediately after on Patriots.com.
This is the 19th year in which the Patriots join 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.
"Congratulations to the Rams on their playoff win against Clinton and to Coach LaChapelle on becoming the winningest high school coach in Massachusetts history," Tippett said. "This is a wonderful milestone for Coach LaChapelle and the entire Northbridge community. What an impressive 39-year coaching career, with a 324-100-4 record and 10 Super Bowl titles. It was a pleasure to visit Coach LaChapelle and his team and be part of the celebration of this remarkable achievement."
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.
This is the fourth year that Tippett has taken the award on the road to visit the schools that benefit from the program. This year is also the fourth 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 to 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.
