Colts honor LaPorte coach for leading team after Jake West dies
From the Indianapolis Colts and staff reporting:
Bob Schellinger of LaPorte High School has been named the Colts/NFL Coach of the Week, a program presented by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Coach Bob Schellinger has been honored with this distinction for admirably gathering his players to compete in a game just two days after the Slicers tragically lost teammate Jake West.
According to nwitimes.com, West, a linebacker, had an enlarged heart and died after collapsing during practice. More details are in this article.
“The strength and courage that Coach Schellinger and his entire team have shown following the tragic loss of their beloved teammate is truly inspiring,” said Pete Ward, Indianapolis Colts COO. “The entire Colts family stands behind the team and the community as they grieve the loss of Jake West and work to carry on his legacy.”
The 2013 season marks the fourteenth year the Indianapolis Colts will be recognizing outstanding Indiana High School football coaches through the Colts/NFL Coach of the Week program, presented by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield.
All high school head coaches in the state of Indiana are eligible regardless of their school size, league or division. Coaches are evaluated on various factors including the coach’s impact on his team, school and community, as well as performance of the team. The honorees are selected by a panel of high school football media, former athletic directors and other football representatives from all regions of the state. Each Monday, following a high school football game weekend, one head coach will be announced.
At the conclusion of the high school football season, each winning coach will receive a framed certificate signed by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Colts Head Coach Chuck Pagano, Colts General Manager Ryan Grigson and Colts Youth Football Commissioner Mike Prior, as well as a $1,000 donation from the NFL Foundation. In addition, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield will contribute $1,000 for the school’s athletic fund.
The following coaches were recognized as honorable mentions for Week 6:
| Region 1- Winner | Region 6- Chris Barrett – Terre Haute North |
| Region 2- Brian Stultz – South Bend Riley | Region 7- Derek Moyers – Pike |
| Region 3 – Robert Brown – Ft. Wayne Wayne | Region 8- Kyle Ralph – New Palestine |
| Region 4 – Mike Zehner – Rochester | Region 9- Andre Thomas – Evansville Bosse |
| Region 5 – Mark Hartman – Maconaquah | Region 10- Bob Gaddis – Columbus East |
