The Arizona Cardinals Football Club and U.S. Army have named Salpointe Catholic's Dennis Bene 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.
Bene and his Lancers won their third consecutive game over a ranked team when they defeated second-ranked and defending 5A-Division 1 champion Brophy High School 17-9 last Friday night.
The award will be presented to Bene and the Salpointe Catholic football team on Thursday, September 24 at 3:30 p.m. at the school (1545 E. Copper St., Tucson). The Lancers visit Sunnyside 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.
