EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - The New York Giants have selected Mr. John Passero of Hawthorne High School (Hawthorne, NJ) as "The Lou Rettino High School Football Coach of the Week" presented by BP for the week of November 1, 2010. Coach Passero led his team to victory this past weekend as the Hawthorne Bears beat the Glen Rock Panthers 34-20.
In recognition of Coach Passero's success and commitment, he will receive a certificate of recognition signed by the NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and the Giants Head Coach Tom Coughlin. A $1,000 check will be granted to the Bears football program. Coach Passero will be acknowledged by a stadium announcement when the Giants host the Dallas Cowboys on November 14th. 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 the New Meadowlands Stadium and practices at a Giants facility.
Each week during the 2010 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 2010 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 luncheon hosted by the Giants and BP.
Coach Passero started his coaching career as an Assistant Football and Baseball coach at Hawthorne High School in 1996 and was named Head Football and Baseball Coach in January of 2001. In 2007, he led his team to win the school's first division title since 1987. Coach Passero coached Hawthorne in an undefeated regular season in 2007 and finished with a 10-1 record, losing in the state semis to New Milford. Currently, the Bears are 7-1 and will be making their 3rd playoff appearance this year. Although they started the season losing to Pascack Hills, they have since won their last 7 games in a row, including wins over then undefeated Emerson and 4-2 Glen Rock this past weekend. Coach Passero was named Passaic County Baseball Coach of the Year in both 2002 and 2008 after leading the Bears to the Passaic County Championships.
Coach Passero graduated from Hawthorne High School in 1992 where he played football, basketball and baseball. He went on to attend Albright College in Reading, PA where he earned 7 varsity letters playing football and baseball. He graduated from Albright in 1996.
Coach Passero would like to thank his coaching staff that has been with him for the last five years straight - Billy Lynn, Joe Oliva, Joe Ross, Amir Saadah and Paul Wojciechowski. Without them, Hawthorne Football would not be where it is today.
