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Big New England Football Clinic’s Youth Coach of Distinction Awards: RI’s CLCF Chiefs Cook
Six individuals were honored at the Youth Coach of Distinction Awards at the 50th annual Big New England Football Clinic, March 1st at the Newport Marriott Hotel in Newport, including Michael Cook, CLCF, representing Rhode Island’s best.
Recognizing that youth coaches mentor players through a critical stage of growth and development, the BNEFC established the Youth Coach of Distinction Award in 2020, presenting it annually to one youth football coach from each of the six New England states “who has a deep love of the game of football and who is dedicated to the betterment of the game and the development of its young athletes.” Through an online nomination process, the BNEFC encourages the football community to identify worthy candidates in their youth programs who are “inspiring and encouraging, as well as patient and compassionate.” The award recognizes coaches “who serve as a role model, who teach the game with dignity and sportsmanship, and who ultimately leaves an indelible mark on the lives of the players he or she mentors.”
The 2024 winners, as selected by the BNEFC Awards Committee:
· Connecticut – Fernando Solis, East Hampton Hawks
· Maine – Jason Largay, Hermon Youth Football
· Massachusetts – Tony Hurston, Dorchester 14U HFC
· New Hampshire – Randy Frederick, Manchester South Sabres
· Rhode Island – Michael Cook, CLCF Chiefs
· Vermont – Steve McLaughlin, Chittenden East Wolverines
Rhode Island Winner, 2024 BNEFC Youth Coach of Distinction Award – Michael Cook, CLCF Chiefs
A coach in the CLCF Chiefs youth football organization for five seasons, Mike Cook’s teams have enjoyed a great deal of success under his guidance. His 13U Chiefs captured their third Rhode Island Super Bowl Championship last fall, then won the American Youth Football New England Regional Championship, earning a trip to the AYF Nationals. However, “his winning record is not the only thing that makes him a great coach. It’s the impact he has on his players,” one nomination said of Cook. “He is extremely dedicated when working with young athletes all season with private workouts, practices no matter the weather, never misses a game or practice . . . He loves football and does everything he can to make sure kids succeed.”
UMass Head Coach Don Brown will be presenting this year’s awards to the six New England recipients at the 50th Big New England Football Clinic, during the opening comments segment of the two-day clinic at approximately 4:15 p.m. on March 1 at the Newport Marriott in Newport, R.I.
The winning coaches have also each received a complimentary registration to the Big New England Football Clinic. Presented by Perform Better, the BNEFC will feature 50-plus hours of lectures and live demonstrations, March 1 and 2 at the Newport Marriott. Along with Brown, the outstanding lineup of clinicians will include coaches at all levels of play from across the country, including former New England Patriots offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia, newly-appointed Boston College Head Coach (and former Patriots Offensive Coordinator) Bill O’Brien and many others.
To view the complete 2024 BNEFC schedule and to register for the clinic, visit: bignewenglandfootballclinic.com
Other winners from New England are:
Connecticut Winner, 2024 BNEFC Youth Coach of Distinction Award – Fernando Solis, East Hampton Hawks
Fernando Solis grew up playing football in Texas until his family moved to Connecticut, where he played for Sheehan High School in Wallingford, Conn. When his nephew started playing football, Solis began passing on his love and knowledge of the game as an offensive line coach and defensive coordinator for the Middletown Junior Blue Dragons in 2017 and helped guide the 10U team to the 2018 CTYFC State Championship. Last year, Solis’ best friend’s son asked him to coach his East Hampton youth football team, and he has already been having a positive impact on the players in the Hawks organization. “One of his biggest attributes is his ability to connect with his players,” East Hampton Hawks vice president Kelly Ellis wrote in the award nomination for Solis. “He has great rapport with all of his players because he truly cares about each and every one of them. His preparation is phenomenal and his ability to teach is unmatched.”
Maine Winner, 2024 BNEFC Youth Coach of Distinction Award – Jason Largay, Hermon Youth Football
When Jason Largay began coaching in the Hermon Youth Football program in 2018, the program consisted of one 5/6 and one 7/8 team and a total of 40 players. Since then, under Largay’s guidance as the organization’s Youth Football Director of Competition, Hermon Youth Football has grown to more than 200 kids in grades K through 8 competing on two flag football divisions, two 3/4 teams, two 5/6 teams and a middle school team. “He did this through love of his community, the players. Pouring countless hours into revamping the program and stopping at nothing to continue to build it year to year,” Kyle Gallant wrote in his nomination of Largay. “Team dinners, team bonding moments at UMaine football games, tailgating with his team at the high school games, and reforming our Youth Leagues to be a better running machine, he has done it all!”
Massachusetts Winner, 2024 BNEFC Youth Coach of Distinction Award – Tony Hurston, Dorchester 14U HFC
Tony Hurston has been positively impacting the lives of his players in the Elite Dorchester Eagles Pop Warner football program for nearly three decades. Due to some tremendous personal losses, he and fellow Dorchester coach Terry Cousins nearly didn’t coach last fall. They reconsidered, though, dedicating their seasons to their parents’ memories. Hurston’s 14U Eagles capped off their season by becoming the first Boston team to win the Pop Warner National Championship, defeating Delaware County Pennsylvania, 20-0, in the Super Bowl last December in Florida. Over the last 28 years, Hurston’s teams have finished second at nationals six other times and have also won 25 State Championships and 19 New England Regional Championships.
New Hampshire Winner, 2024 BNEFC Youth Coach of Distinction Award – Randy Frederick, Manchester South Sabres
Wanting to give back to the sport, Randy Frederick began volunteering with the Manchester South Sabres in 2014. He was soon asked to serve as head coach of a very young and inexperienced team. The squad went 0-8 that season, but Frederick continued to hone his skills as a coach at clinics, recruited some players and years later turned that same team into a playoff contender. “Flash forward to 2023 and he celebrated an undefeated New Hampshire State Championship with his 13U team,” Manchester West High School Head Coach Andrew Provencher wrote in his nomination of Frederick, now on the Sabres’ Board of Directors as its Football Coordinator. “Coach Frederick is known for being a mentor, driver, gym instructor, Halloween chaperone and so many other things for his players. He is a great example of the power of youth football and mentorship.”
Vermont Winner, 2024 BNEFC Youth Coach of Distinction Award – Steve McLaughlin, Chittenden East Wolverines
Steve McLaughlin is the definition of a transformational coach. Since he and his wife Eva took over the Chittenden East Wolverines youth football program two years ago, the couple has rebuilt the feeder system, which includes Grades 1-4 flag football, 5/6 intro to tackle and a 7/8 competitive tackle program. As head coach of the Wolverines’ 7/8 team, McLaughlin has guided the squad to back-to-back Division 1 semifinal appearances. “Prior to Coach Steve, numbers in the program were dwindling but he now has a robust roster of 80-plus kids in the program,” Nick Michaud wrote in his nomination. “He has raised a substantial amount of money to purchase all new equipment and new game jerseys. We are very honored to have Coach Steve and Eva in our community making a direct impact on young people, not only on the field as a 7/8 football coach but also working for the state of Vermont as a case manager for the youth.”