The New York Giants have selected Mr. Kip Lukralle of Northport High School (Northport, NY) as "The Lou Rettino High School Football Coach of the Week" for the week of November 5, 2012. Coach Lukralle and the Northport Tigers defeated the Ward Melville Patriots 49-19 to receive their sixth straight win.
In recognition of Coach Lukralle'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 Tigers football program. Coach Lukralle will be acknowledged by a stadium announcement when the Giants host the Green Bay Packers on November 25th 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 2012 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 2012 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.
Coach Lukralle entered his 27th year as the Head Varsity Football Coach at Northport High School and his 35th year overall as a Varsity Football Coach. His coaching career began at Jericho High School as a Varsity Assistant for three years before assuming the Head Coaching position for three seasons from 1981-1983. During that time, the Jayhawks won 3 League Championships in 1979, 1980 and 1983 and Coach Lukralle was honored as Coach of the Year in 1983. His career further extended to Harborfields from 1984-1985 where the Tornadoes won the League Championship in 1985 and Coach Lukralle was again honored as Coach of the Year. In 1986, Coach Lukralle became the Head Football Coach at Northport High School where he continues to establish a winning tradition. The Tigers won League Championships in 1988, 1989, 1991, 1996, 2002, 2005, 2008 and 2012 and the Rutgers Cup Trophy in 1991. Coach Lukralle was again honored as Coach of the Year in 1991 and 1996 and won his 100th game in a 40-15 win over Hauppauge High School in 2002. Under Coach Lukralle and his staff, the Tigers have won numerous League Championships, Scholar/Athlete Team Awards and County Sportsmanship Awards. His overall record is 150-105-1.
Coach Lukralle also coached Varsity Lacrosse at Harborfields for 19 years where he amassed 225 wins. The last 7 seasons he has returned to his alma mater Huntington High School and helped lead the Blue Devils Lacrosse Team to perfect 21-0 and 22-0 (43 game unbeaten streak) seasons and back to back New York State Class "B" Lacrosse Championships (2005, 2006). In 2007, the Blue Devils went 20-1 (extending their unbeaten streak to 63 games over 3 seasons) winning the Suffolk County and Long Island Championship for the 3rd consecutive year. This past season, he coached Varsity Lacrosse at Northport HS.
Coach Lukralle is a graduate of Huntington High School, Cortland State College and Adelphi University. He currently teaches Physical Education at the high school and is the High School Athletic Coordinator. His greatest accomplishment has been establishing Class, Character, and Commitment in Northport Football.
