EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - The New York Giants have selected Mr. Bryan Hocter of Stamford High School (Stamford, CT) as "The Lou Rettino High School Football Coach of the Week" presented by BP for the week of October 25, 2010. Coach Hocter coached his team to victory this past weekend as the Stamford Black Knights beat the Trumbull Golden Eagles who were 5-0. The final score was 27-19.
n recognition of Coach Hocter'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 Black Knights football program. Coach Hocter 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 Hocter has been lucky enough to coach at Stamford High School for 8 years. For the 7 years before this year, he was the Assistant Coach for the Black Knights football program. For the last 4 years, aside from being the Assistant Coach, he was the Defensive Coordinator as well. Now, Coach Hocter has moved up to Head Coach but remains the Defensive Coordinator and coaches the Defensive Line. Coach Hocter is certified through the National Strength and Conditioning Association and has overseen the Black Knights strength and conditioning program for the past 8 years as well.
Coach Hocter played football at Westhill High School, the Stamford High School city rivals, for all 4 years. However, due to a knee injury in high school, he devoted his energy into the sport of power lifting and competed on a national level for a number of years.
Coach Hocter has been fortunate to have coached Vlad Ducausse who was the New York Jets 2010 2nd round draft pick. He has also coached Alex Joseph who is now with the Oakland Raiders and Khari Fortte who is now a freshman playing at Penn State University.
