Culver Community High School Head Coach Andy Thomas has been named the Colts/NFL Coach of the Week, a program presented by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield.
Thomas was selected after he led his Cavaliers to a 24-20 win over Bremen High School play Friday night. Culver is off to their 5-0 start in school history.
The 2010 season marks the eleventh year the Indianapolis Colts will be recognizing outstanding Indiana High School football coaches through the Colts/NFL Coach of the Week program, presented by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield.
Collin Stevens threw two touchdowns to Micah Budzinski, including a 26-yard strike in the fourth quarter, which lifted the Class 1A #6 Cavaliers to a 24-20 win over Bremen in Northern State Conference football play Friday night. Sixth ranked Culver is 5-0 for the first time in school history.
Coach Thomas has turned this program around, prior to his arrival at Culver in 2006, the Cavs record was 1-29 between 2003 and 2005. Thomas' efforts have been noted before, as he was selected the Coach of the Week in week three in 2006.
The Coach of the Week program was designed to recognize high school coaches who transform, through their hard work and dedication to young people, the best available athletes into high potential football players.
All high school head coaches in the state of Indiana are eligible regardless of their school size, league or division. Coaches are evaluated on various factors including the coach's impact on his team, school and community, as well as performance of the team. The honorees are selected by a panel of high school football media, former athletic directors and other football representatives from all regions of the state.
Each Monday, following a high school football game weekend, one head coach will be recognized and announced. Coach Caldwell will also announce each week's winner in his weekly press conference.
At the conclusion of the high school football season, each winning coach will receive a framed certificate signed by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Colts Head Coach Jim Caldwell, Colts President Bill Polian and Colts Youth Football Commissioner Mike Prior, as well as a $1,000 donation from the NFL Youth Football Fund. In addition, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield will contribute $1,000 for the school's athletic fund.
The following coaches were recognized as honorable mentions for Week 5:
Region 1- Mark Hoffman, Valparaiso
Region 6 – Mark Bless, Avon
Region 2 – Winner
Region 7 – Jayson West, Lawrence Central
Region 3 – Lee Etzler, Churubusco
Region 8 – Andrew Kramer, Guerin Catholic
Region 4 – Darren Rodriquez, West Central
Region 9 – Terry Wagner, Forest Park
Region 5 – Randy Sehy, Marion
Region 10- Eric Lows, South Dearborn
For more information, please contact Casey Bolsega of the Indianapolis Colts at (317) 808-5149. Andy Thomas is also available for questions/comments at (574) 842-339.
