The New York Giants have selected Mr. Tom O'Hare of John Jay High School (Hopewell Junction, NY) as "The Lou Rettino High School Football Coach of the Week" presented by BP for the week of October 3, 2011. Coach O'Hare and the Patriots shut out undefeated New Rochelle this past weekend 14-0.
In recognition of Coach O'Hare's success and commitment, he will receive a certificate of recognition signed by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Giants Head Coach Tom Coughlin and a $1,000 check will be granted to the Patriots football program. Coach O'Hare will be acknowledged by a stadium announcement when the Giants host the Seattle Seahawks on October 9th and an announcement will also be posted on the Giants web site, **www.giants.com**.
The Lou Rettino High School Football Coach of the Week Award presented by BP, is part of the Giants' continuing effort to promote youth football. The Giants elected to name the award in memory of former Union High School (NJ) coach, Lou Rettino, for his fine commitment to the game of football, his community and the betterment of his athletes' lives.
The Coach of the Week program is supported by BP, a proud sponsor of the Giants. This year, BP is expanding its New York area football sponsorship beyond the stadium to support local youth football leagues, coaches and parents. In addition, BP is also making equipment donations to leagues in need and providing opportunities for youths to participate in unique Giants-related experiences including hospitality suite access at MetLife Stadium and practices at a Giants facility.
Each week during the 2011 high school football season, the Giants will select one area high school head coach as the Coach of the Week winner. The selection is based on the coach's continuing commitment towards promoting youth football, developing motivated student-athletes and his overall community involvement. At the conclusion of the 2011 season, the Giants will choose a Coach of the Year. That coach will receive $2,000 for their school's football program. They will also be invited to attend a dinner hosted by the Giants and BP.
Coach O'Hare served as the Head JV Football Coach at John Jay High School from 2003-2008. In 2009, he was promoted to Assistant Varsity Football Coach and served as Defensive Coordinator under Brian Walsh. Shortly after, he moved up to become the Head Varsity Football Coach. In addition to football, he has also been the Head Varsity Baseball Coach since the spring of 2004.
Coach O'Hare is a 1998 graduate of John Jay High School where he played varsity football in 1996 and 1997. He went on to earn his Bachelor's degree in Physical Education at SUNY Cortland where he played three seasons of football under Coach MacNeill as an Offensive/Defensive Lineman from 1999-2001. In addition, he received his Graduate degree from Mercy College in Secondary Education in 2006. Coach O'Hare is in his ninth year of teaching in the Wappingers Central School District as a Physical Education teacher, having taught at the elementary, middle and now high school level.
Coach O'Hare is happy every day to work at his Alma Matter and give back to the community and programs that gave him his roots.
