Foxborough, Mass. (September 27, 2011) - Stoughton High School's Greg Burke has been named this week's New England Patriots High School Coach of the Week in recognition of his team's 8-0 victory over Mansfield High School on Friday, Sept. 24. The victory marked Stoughton's first win over Mansfield since 2000 and snapped Mansfield's 14-game winning streak. Stoughton's stifling defense, two field goals and a safety powered the Black Knights through a rain-soaked game. The New England Patriots Charitable Foundation will donate $1,000 to Stoughton High School's football program in Burke'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 Burke and his team on Tuesday, Sept. 27 at Stoughton 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. 30 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.
"We're happy to present this week's Coach of the Week Award to Coach Burke," Tippett said. "Facing Mansfield in the pouring rain last Friday, Coach Burke's team showed impressive focus and the ability to persevere and ultimately emerge with a win. It was a true test for the defense, which obviously played a major role in Stoughton's 8-0 win over Mansfield."
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.
