East Rutherford, NJ – The New York Giants have selected Mr. Don Smolyn of Lenape Valley Regional High School (Stanhope, NJ) as "The Lou Rettino High School Football Coach of the Week" presented by Chase for the week of October 20, 2014. Coach Smolyn reached his 300th career win this past weekend when the Lenape Valley Patriots defeated the North Warren Patriots 24-8.
In recognition of Coach Smolyn'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, to be matched by Chase, will be granted to the Patriots football program. Coach Smolyn will be acknowledged by a stadium announcement when the Giants host the Indianapolis Colts on November 3rd and an announcement will also be posted on the Giants website, www.giants.com.
The Lou Rettino High School Football Coach of the Week Award 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.
Each week during the 2014 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 2014 season, the Giants will choose a Coach of the Year. That coach will receive $2,000, to be matched by Chase, for their school's football program. They will also be invited to attend a dinner hosted by the Giants and Chase.
In 2014 alone, Chase committed over $17 million in charitable donations in the tri-state area. Investing in the communities it serves is central to how Chase does business, and the firm is committed to supporting programs like youth football that provide young people with access to a positive extracurricular activity.
Coach Smolyn is currently in his 39th season coaching football. His current record is 300-117-13 and has helped lead his team to 7 State Championships and 9 Conference Championships. Aside from being the Head Football Coach at Lenape Valley Regional High School, he was also the US Army All America Bowl Assistant Coach in 2011. Coach Smolyn received the NJSIAA Award of Honor in 1993, the John Bateman Winners for Life Award in 2004 and was the National High School Football Coach of the Year in 2003. Additionally, he was named to the Sussex County Sports Hall of Fame in 1994 and the New Jersey Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 2009.
Coach Smolyn graduated from Johnson Regional High School (Clark, NJ) in 1965 and went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts Degree at Adams State College in 1970 and a Masters Degree at Kean University in 1977. He was a teacher from 1971-2012 and was the Director of Athletics from 1986-2012. Coach Smolyn and his wife Joan have two children, Alexis and Christopher and three grandchildren, Lauren, Kaitlyn and Henry.
