Foxborough, Mass. – Reading Memorial High School's John Fiore has been named this week's New England Patriots High School Coach of the Week in recognition of his team's 12-0 victory over Brockton High School on Friday, Sept. 14. A strong performance by the Rockets' running game coupled with a dominant defensive display helped Reading to its second straight win to begin the 2012 season. The New England Patriots Charitable Foundation will donate $1,000 to Reading Memorial High School's football program in Fiore's 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 Fiore and his team on Tuesday, Sept. 18 at Reading Memorial 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. 21 on WBZ-TV in Boston and immediately after on Patriots.com.
This season marks the 17th 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 Reading Memorial High School with Coach Fiore and the Rockets," Tippett said. "I can tell that each member of the team embodies the values of mental toughness, determination and hard work. Coach Fiore did a fantastic job preparing his team for their game last weekend. The Patriots are proud to be able to reward his team and Reading Memorial High School with a donation to the football program. We wish them the best of luck throughout the 2012 season."
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.
