Detroit, MI—The Detroit Lions have named Shane Fairfield of Muskegon High School the week three recipient of the 2012 High School Coach of the Week Program presented by the Michigan Army National Guard.Fairfield led his Big Reds to a 21-9 victory over Rockford on September 7 to run their record to 3-0. Now in his 3rd season as a head coach at Muskegon High School, Fairfield has a record of 19-7 and has led Muskegon to the state playoffs in each of his first two seasons. Fairfield was head coach for five seasons at Holton High School (26-23 record), where he took over a program that had won only one game in two seasons prior to his arrival and led them to the state playoffs in his last two seasons. He was also an assistant coach at Muskegon Catholic Central and Muskegon High School for a combined 14 seasons. This Friday, Muskegon (No. 2 ranking/Division 2) will look to improve to 4-0 as they take on Lowell (No. 1 ranking/Division 2) at home at 7 p.m. in a battle of two Michigan high school football powers.
In terms promoting player health and safety within the school, the Muskegon High School Athletic Department provides ImPACT testing (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) to all its’ student-athletes. The purpose of ImPACT testing is to provide useful information to assist qualified practitioners in making sound return to play decisions following concussions.
Coach of the Week Program
Each week throughout the 2012 nine-week high school football regular season, one coach that best develops his players’ character, discipline, and football skill in addition to emphasizing player health and safety in their program, will be recognized for his commitment to the team, school, and community. The winner is selected by a panel of high school football media members—Mick McCabe (Detroit Free Press), Hugh Bernreuter (Saginaw News), Bret Bakita (107.3 FM-WBBL, Grand Rapids), and Scott DeCamp (Mlive.com/Kalamazoo). This season’s program will award $22,000 to aid in the development and promotion of high school football in the state of Michigan thanks to contributions from the Detroit Lions and the National Football League and presenting sponsor, Michigan Army National Guard.
Each winning coach throughout the regular season will receive a $2,000 donation to his school’s football program. All weekly winners will be honored at an awards ceremony during the Lions-Bears game at Ford Field on December 30. During the ceremony, the Lions will also introduce the High School Coach of the Year. This season’s Coach of the Year will receive a $4,000 donation to his team’s football program.
In addition to the monetary award, all winners receive a certificate signed by Lions’ head coach Jim Schwartz and National Football League (NFL) commissioner Roger Goodell. Winning coaches also receive a personalized game ball and a Detroit Lions “Coach of the Week” hat.
Currently in its’ 16th year, the Detroit Lions High School Coach of the Week program has awarded $290,000 to high school football programs throughout the state of Michigan. For more information on the Detroit Lions High School Coach of the Week program, contact Chris Fritzsching, Lions’ Director of Youth Football, at 313-262-2248.
