Coach of the Year
Bill Belichick '71 was honored Jan. 3, 2004, by being named the 2003 Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year. He was selected by a national panel of 50 sportswriters and broadcasters who cover the league. Read about the coach's visit to Andover in February 2002 for "Coach Bill Belichick Day."
| On the occasion of exuberant appreciation for the coaching achievement of New England Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick, Phillips Academy Class of 1971, 2002 champion of NFL Super Bowl XXXVI |
A Proclamation By Barbara Landis Chase, 14th Head of School, Phillips Academy |
Delivered by Whereas football is the pastime, obsession and de facto religion of a brave, stout-hearted and competitive nation; and Whereas New England in winter is a cold, barren region on which the warm joy of football success seldom shines; and Whereas the New England Patriots have long ranked only alongside the Boston Red Sox as a team of unfulfilled potential; and Whereas the New England Patriots, led by Head Coach Bill Belichick, Phillips Academy Class of 1971, fully achieved their potential during the 2001-2002 NFL football season and in Super Bowl XXXVI; and Whereas Coach Belichick had help in that endeavor from capable Phillips Academy alumni Ernie Adams, Class of 1971, and Ned Burke, Class of 1991; and Whereas, great coaches rank among life's greatest teachers; and Whereas Oakland Raiders Coach Jon Gruden, Pittsburgh Steelers Coach Bill Cowher and St. Louis Rams Coach Mike Martz are now all graduates of the University of Belichick; and Whereas Coach Bill Belichick has taught a skeptical nation the importance of hard work, perseverance and the true meaning of the word "team" in achieving excellence, not to mention that the best offense is a great defense; and Whereas Phillips Academy students have participated with considerable success since 1878 in their own annual Super Bowl against esteemed rival Phillips Exeter Academy and therefore appreciate the value of perseverance and teamwork in achieving victory; and Whereas the faculty, staff, students and alumni of Phillips Academy are enormously proud of Bill Belichick, coach of the world champion New England Patriots, graduate of this great and ancient high school, and father of Stephen, Brian and Amanda, Class of 2003; Therefore we proclaim this day, Wednesday, February 27, in the year two thousand and two Coach Bill Belichick Day at Phillips Academy! Given under my hand and seal on Feb. 27, 2002, Barbara Landis Chase |
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The 1,100-seat Cochran Chapel was filled to capacity with cheering students to welcome Belichick, who graduated from Phillips Academy in 1971. English instructor Paul Kalkstein, who coached Belichick in lacrosse, presented his former student with a proclamation, signed by Head of School Barbara Landis Chase. "Coach Bill Belichick has taught a skeptical nation the importance of hard work, perseverance and the true meaning of the word ‘team’ in achieving excellence. Great coaches rank among life’s greatest teachers," declared the proclamation. Phillips Academy Varsity football coach Leon Modeste presented Belichick with an Andover letter jacket and called the Patriots’ coach "the man who orchestrated the biggest upset since David slew Goliath." Belichick, who played guard on the 1970 Andover "Big Blue" football team during an undefeated 7-0-0 season under legendary coach Steve Sorota, said, "There’s no greater honor than to be recognized by your school." He urged the students to appreciate and take advantage of the opportunities at Phillips Academy. "Never underestimate the power of people who are united and committed to working together," he said. Phillips Academy students have participated with considerable success since 1878 in their own annual Super Bowl against rival Phillips Exeter Academy. Phillips Academy, also known as Andover, is a coeducational independent high school of 1,070 students, known for its academic program and the diversity of its student body. Located 25 miles north of Boston, the academy was founded in 1778 and is the nation’s oldest incorporated boarding school. Other notable alumni include President George W. Bush, former President George Bush, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Dr. Benjamin M. Spock, John F. Kennedy Jr. and Jack Lemmon. |
