East Rutherford, NJ – The New York Giants have selected Coach Leigh Stevens of Shaker High School in Latham, NY as the High School Girls Flag Football Coach of the Week for week 3 of the 2026 season.

The High School Girls Flag Football Coach of the Week Award is part of the Giants' continuing effort to support local high school flag football programs. Each week during the high school girls flag 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 contributing overall to their community.

In recognition of Coach Stevens' selection as Coach of the Week, a $2,000 check from The Giants Foundation will be given to the Shaker High School girls flag football program. Coach Stevens will also receive a certificate of recognition signed by Giants Head Coach John Harbaugh and will be honored at a 2026 Giants preseason home game.

Coach Stevens was named the inaugural Shaker High School girls flag football coach in 2024 and has made the Bison one of the top teams in Section 2 with just two full seasons under her belt. Under Stevens' leadership the Bison have started off their third season with a 3-1 start while outscoring opponents 77-47. Stevens, who is also the Section 2 Flag Football Coordinator, has used her experience playing flag football at the intramural level in college to cultivate a team that competes with every team they line up against while finding fun and enjoyment playing a game that they love.

Stevens is a physical education teacher in the North Colonie School District and has been around sports her whole life. She grew up not far from where she currently teaches and coaches and attended Bethlehem High School. After being a multi-sport athlete in high school, playing both softball and baseball, she then went on to play softball collegiality at Coastal Carolina and SUNY Cortland. In her time after college Stevens has coached several sports including volleyball, softball, basketball and now flag football. Not only has she grown the game at the high school level, Stevens has also helped develop flag football in her community by growing the game at both the modified and youth level.

"Coach Stevens is truly a trailblazer in our section, as the only head female flag football coach in Section 2 Athletics, while also serving as our Section 2 Flag Football Coordinator," said Sean Colfer, Director of Physical Education, Health and Athletics at North Colonie Central School District. "Leigh is a passionate advocate for girls athletics and consistently works to expand opportunities for female student-athletes. She serves as an outstanding role model for our players, demonstrating leadership, dedication, and a commitment to growing the sport at every level. In her first year as our Varsity Girls Flag Football coach, Leigh has already made a significant impact beyond the high school level. She played an instrumental role in establishing a 5th/6th grade girls flag football program in partnership with the North Colonie Jr. Bison football program, helping to build a strong pipeline for the future of the sport in our community. We are incredibly proud of Coach Stevens and grateful for the energy and vision she brings to our program."