Detroit, MI—The Detroit Lions have named Ron Bindi of Charlevoix High School the week two recipient of the 2016 Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan High School Football Coach of the Week Program.
Bindi, currently in his 37th year in coaching and 4th as head coach at Charlevoix, led his Rayders to a 22-14 victory over Boyne City. Bindi has also been a head coach at Bellaire, reaching an 8-man football runner up berth in 2012, and U of D Jesuit, along with numerous assistant coaching positions during his career. Charlevoix, who is currently ranked number 2 in Division 6, is 2-0 and travels to Mancelona to take on the Ironmen in a Northern Michigan Football League-Leaders Division game.
In terms of player health and safety, the Charlevoix football program adheres to USA Football's Heads Up Football curriculum, designed to make the game better and safer for all involved. The Charlevoix Athletic Department also employs a full-time athletic trainer to attend all practices and games, in addition to providing baseline concussion testing for all high school student-athletes in contact sports such as football, basketball, soccer and wrestling. This baseline concussion testing and post-injury tests are computerized assessments that measure reaction time, memory capacity, speed of mental processing, and executive functioning of the brain.
High School Football Coach of the Week Program
Each week throughout the 2016 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 (WOOD Radio-106.9 FM, ESPN 96.1 FM-Fox 17/Grand Rapids), and James Cook (Traverse City Record-Eagle).
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, the NFL Foundation and presenting partner, Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan.
Each winning coach during the regular season will receive a $2,000 donation to his school's football program. At the conclusion of the 2016 Michigan High School Football season, the Lions will also select the High School Football Coach of the Year. This season's Coach of the Year will receive a $4,000 donation to his school's football program. All winners will receive a certificate signed by Lions' head coach Jim Caldwell and National Football League (NFL) commissioner Roger Goodell, a personalized game ball as well as acknowledgement at an upcoming Lions home game.
Currently in its' 20th year, the Detroit Lions High School Coach of the Week program has awarded $367,000 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 Football Education, at 313-262-2248.
About Farm Bureau Insurance: Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan was founded in 1949 by Michigan farmers who wanted an insurance company that worked as hard as they did. Those values still guide the company today and are a big reason why they are known as Michigan's Insurance Company, dedicated to protecting the farms, families, and businesses of this great state. Farm Bureau Insurance agents across Michigan provide a full range of insurance services—life, home, auto, farm, business, retirement, Lake Estate®, and more—protecting nearly 500,000 Michigan policyholders.
About the NFL Foundation: The National Football League Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of those touched by the game of football – from players at all levels to communities across the country. The NFL Foundation represents the 32 NFL clubs and supports the health and safety of athletes, youth football, and the communities which support our game.
