Foxborough, Mass. – Auburn High School's Jeff Cormier has been named this week's New England Patriots High School Coach of the Week in recognition of his team's 42-8 Thanksgiving Day win over Oxford High School to complete an undefeated regular season with an 11-0 record. The victory extends the Rockets' winning streak to 19 games and is Auburn's 13th straight Thanksgiving Day win over Oxford. Auburn is seeking its fifth straight championship and plays Hudson High School tonight in a playoff game to earn the right to play in the MIAA Division III Super Bowl. The New England Patriots Charitable Foundation will donate $1,000 to Auburn High School's football program in Cormier'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 Cormier and his team on Tuesday, Nov. 27 at Auburn 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, Nov. 30, on WBZ-TV in Boston and will be available immediately after on Patriots.com.
This is the 17th 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.
"Coach Cormier and the Rockets have exhibited tremendous hard work, dedication and commitment throughout their current run of success," Tippett said. "These traits were on display during their most recent victory and were evident during my visit to Auburn High School today. The Patriots are pleased to reward Coach Cormier and Auburn High School with a donation to the football program and we wish them the best of luck in the playoffs."
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 2011, Tippett decided to take the award on the road so he could visit the schools that benefit from the program. In previous years, Tippett has invited the Coach of the Week and senior captains for a visit to Gillette Stadium. This year is also the second 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.
