The Arizona Cardinals Football Club and U.S. Army have named Corona Del Sol's Gary Venturo as the Cards "High School Coach-of-the-Week."
The Cards and U.S. Army "Coach-of-the-Week" award is selected by a local sports panel consisting of Cardinals Director of Community Relations Luis Zendejas, Community Relations Coordinator Sheldon Meeks, Sports 620 AM anchor Paul Calvisi, NBC-12 sports reporter Bruce Cooper, 16-year Arizona high school football official Bob Ferreira, Cardinals radio analyst and Sports 620 AM talk show host Ron Wolfley, AIA Director of Media Marketing Brian Bolitho, former Arizona high school coach Emil Nasser, 1060 AM radio host Dan Manucci, and U.S. Army representative Sergeant James Minter.
Venturo and his Aztecs won their seventh consecutive game to start the season as they defeated fifth-ranked Chandler High School 35-27 last Friday night. Running back Michael Lange had 175 yards on 25 carries and three touchdowns in the victory.
The award will be presented to Venturo and the Corona Del Sol High School football team on Friday, October 24 at 9:00 a.m. at the Homecoming Pep Assembly in the school gym (1001 E. Knox Road, Tempe). The Aztecs host Mountain Pointe High School on Friday night at 7 p.m.
The Cardinals 14-year "Coach-of-the-Week" program presents a selected high school coach with a certificate signed by Cardinals President William V. Bidwill and Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt. Cardinals Charities provides t-shirts for team members and awards the school $2,000 to support its football program.
A Cardinals player or alumnus, team mascot Big Red, and Community Relations Coordinator Sheldon Meeks will present the award.
2008 Winners
Week 1: Charlie Ragle, Chaparral H.S.
Week 2: Richard Taylor, Centennial H.S.
Week 3: Dennis Bene, Salpointe Catholic H.S.
Week 4: Jon Becktold, Phoenix Washington H.S.
Week 5: John Sanders, Saguaro H.S.
Week 6: Derek Wahlstrom, Northwest Christian H.S.
Week 7: Gary Venturo, Corona Del Sol H.S.
