FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - For the 16th season, the Patriots will 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. This year, Patriots Executive Director of Community Affairs and Pro Football Hall of Famer Andre Tippett will visit the school of the weekly winner to present a $1,000 donation to the coach's football program and film the visit for a weekly segment on "Patriots All Access," which airs on WBZ-TV at 7 p.m. on Fridays throughout the football season.
Tippett oversees the program as part of the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation's commitment to youth football initiatives. In past years he has invited the Coach of the Week and senior captains for a visit to Gillette Stadium, but wanted to try something new in 2011.
"We thought it would be fun this year to take the weekly award on the road and actually visit the schools that will benefit from this program," he said. "I look forward to the coaches being recognized by their team, their colleagues and others in the school community, and for all of those people to have a chance to be seen on 'Patriots All Access.'"
At the conclusion of the season, one high school coach will be named the New England Patriots High School Coach of the Year and receive an additional $2,000 contribution toward the school's football program.
Also new this season, 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.
