The Detroit Lions have named Steve Uganski of Jenison High School the week five recipient of the 2015 Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan High School Football Coach of the Week Program.
On September 25, Coach Uganski directed his Wildcats to a surprising 28-7 victory over previously unbeaten and 5th ranked East Kentwood. At 3-2, Jenison’s three wins this season surpasses the win total of the program for the previous three seasons combined. Currently in his 2nd season at Jenison, his alma mater, Uganski has coached football for 17 years, having also been a head coach at Wyoming Park for two seasons. This Friday during Homecoming, Jenison hosts the 1-4 Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central Rangers in a Ottawa-Kent Conference White Division battle.
In terms of player health and safety, the Jenison Athletic Department abides by the player health and safety standards set by the Michigan High School Athletic Association and continues to educate all those involved in the student-athletes sports experience by addressing these important topics during the respective sports’ “Meet the Team” night.
High School Football Coach of the Week Program
Each week throughout the 2015 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), James Cook (Traverse City Record-Eagle) and Scott Brandenburg (Mlive.com/Muskegon).
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 2015 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’ 19th year, the Detroit Lions High School Coach of the Week program has awarded $345,000 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.
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.
