BEARS ANNOUNCE HIGH SCHOOL COACH AND ALL-STAR OF THE WEEK—WEEK 6

BEARS HIGH SCHOOL COACH OF THE WEEK

Dan Appino of Auburn High School in Rockford, IL was named the Chicago Bears High School "Coach of the Week" for Week 6.

Dan Appino was named the Chicago Bears High School "Coach of the Week" for Week 6.

Coach Appino and the Knights ended a 14-game losing streak to Guilford High School last Friday by posting a 19-14 victory over their cross-town rivals. The win improved Auburn's record to 3-3 and also gave Appino the 100th victory of his career.

After leading Boylan High School in Rockford to back-to-back state titles in 2010 and 2011, Appino took over as head coach at Auburn last spring and inherited a 35-game losing streak. The Knights won their first game of the season, and their first in four years, to snap the streak and continue to show steady progress under their new coach.

Coach Appino will be invited to the Bears vs. Seahawks game on Sunday, December 2 and will be recognized during an on-field ceremony. He will also receive a framed certificate and attend a Bears practice and "chalk-talk" with head coach Lovie Smith and other 2012 "Coach of the Week" honorees.

The Chicago Bears "Coach of the Week" program is in its 17th season. The program honors outstanding Illinois high school coaches who develop players' football skills and knowledge, character, leadership, discipline and teamwork abilities. Other criteria considered include unique coaching methodology, community and off-field components, school and community support, volunteerism and, most importantly, contributions to players' long-term success on and off the field.

The program will run for nine weeks from August 27 through October 22. Deserving high school coaches are nominated by a panel of local prep authorities and the winning "Coach of the Week" is selected each week. The Chicago Bears will make a $1,500 contribution to the football program at each winning coach's school. Since the program's inception, the Bears have donated over $210,000 to Illinois high schools in support of their football programs. The Chicago Bears "Coach of the Week" program is brought to you by FOX Chicago.

In addition to the "Coach of the Week" winners being honored at the Bears vs. Seahawks game on December 2, all eight IHSA football state champion teams will be recognized at this game. The Chicago Bears, in partnership with the Illinois High School Association and the Illinois Army National Guard, will invite representatives from each team to the game, and a special recognition of their state titles will take place during halftime.

BEARS HIGH SCHOOL ALL-STAR OF THE WEEK

Herman Senor of Springfield Southeast High School in Springfield, IL was named the "Bears High School All-Star" for Week 6.

Senor had a hand in the six touchdowns that Springfield Southeast scored during their win over cross-town rival Springfield Lanphier. The Spartans scored a school-record 60 points while cruising to a 60-14 victory last Saturday afternoon. A senior who plays quarterback and defensive back, Senor scored twice on defense by returning an interception for 26 yards and a fumble recovery for 14 yards. In addition, he threw three touchdown passes and scored on a 3-yard run.

The win moved Springfield Southeast, who finished 0-9 in 2011, to 3-3 on the season and kept the Spartans alive in the IHSA state playoff race.

Each week for nine weeks, an outstanding high school football player will be selected through the "Bears High School All-Stars" program. Each of the nine players will have the opportunity to direct a $1,000 monetary donation to the youth football program of his choice. In addition, the nine players will be guests of the Bears and the Illinois Army National Guard at the Bears vs. Seahawks game on Sunday, December 2 and will be recognized during an on-field ceremony. The nomination criteria for the program include on-field performance, community involvement and good sportsmanship.

The "Bears High School All-Stars" program, which is sponsored by the Illinois Army National Guard, will run from August 27 through October 22. Deserving high school players are nominated by a panel of local prep authorities, and the winning player is selected each week.

In addition to the "Bears High School All-Stars" being honored at the Bears vs. Seahawks game on December 2, all eight IHSA football state champion teams will be recognized at this game. The Chicago Bears, in partnership with the Illinois High School Association and the Illinois Army National Guard, will invite representatives from each team to the game, and a special recognition of their state titles will take place during halftime.

For more information, log on to www.chicagobears.com/community or call the Chicago Bears Community Relations department at (847) 739-5418.