A beloved Greenport coach has been honored in a big way by the New York Giants this week.
The Giants have selected Jack Martilotta of Greenport/Mattituck/Southold football as “The Lou Rettino High School Football Coach of the Week.”
According to the Giants website, the award was given just as the Porters' are enjoying a recent winning streak; they won their first four games in a row, grabbing the prize from the Port Jefferson Royals over the weekend with a score of 33-0.
Reflecting on the honor, Martilotta said it is a reflection on the coaching staff as a whole and on the players.
"We are very lucky to have an outstanding coaching staff, with Mike Miller as our defensive coordinator, Chris Robinson running the offense, Joe Delaposta and Tim McArdle with the JV squad, and Mike Sage and Chris Doucett with the junior high," he said. "They are all doing an outstanding job, and the award is shared by all."
Of the current winning streak, Martilotta said the team has been playing well and improving each week. "Our goal is to continue to improve each week and hopefully end the regular season in a good position for the playoffs."
As a coach, Martilotta said there is an opportunity to reach the students in a different way than just the traditional classroom.
"In athletics all coaches have the opportunity to teach hard work, discipline and commitment in a way that is difficult to do in a classroom setting," he said.
Martilotta will receive a certificate of recognition signed by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Giants head coach Tom Coughlin; a $1000 check will be awared to the Porters football program.
In addition, Martilotta will be acknowledged by a stadium announcement when the Giants host the Minnesota Vikings on Oct. 21 and an announcement will also be posted on the Giants website.
The Lou Rettino High School Football Coach of the Week Award is part of the Giants’ continuing effort to promote youth football. The award was named in memory of New Jersey's former Union High School coach, Lou Rettino.
Each week during the 2013 high school football season, the Giants will select one area high school head coach as the Coach of the Week winner, the Giants site said; the choice is based on the coach’s continuing commitment towards promoting youth football, developing motivated student-athletes and his overall community involvement.
At the conclusion of the 2013 season, the Giants will choose a Coach of the Year; the winner will receive $2000 for their school’s football program and will also be invited to a Giants dinner.
Martilotta, a graduate of Bates College, has been the head coach for the Greenport/Mattituck/Southold Porters for five years.
He served in the United States Army and is an Iraq war veteran. He is also in the US Army National Guard - SFC, 1-69 Infantry HHC, 27 BCT.
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