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Scot Shaw of Three Rivers named high school coach of the year

Detroit Lions Press Release
November 3, 2003


The 2003 Lions Coaches of the Week
ALLEN PARK, Mich. - The Detroit Lions have named Scot Shaw of Three Rivers High School this year's Detroit Lions High School Coach of the Year.

Shaw and the Wildcats captured the Division 4 Michigan State Championship this past weekend with a 24-6 win over DeWitt.

"It's a fantastic feeling," said an excited Shaw. "It's Wednesday (Dec. 3) and I still haven't come down yet. You try to imagine it before you ever get there, but after getting to the finals and winning you can't even begin to describe the feeling. I thought the kids might be awestruck playing at the Silverdome but they realized the magnitude and importance of the game and handled it great."

The Wildcats concluded the 2003 season with a 13-1 record and got the job done on both sides of the ball during Friday (Nov. 28) night's State Final game at the Pontiac Silverdome. Three Rivers outrushed the Panthers of DeWitt 280 yards to 5 while the Wildcat defense also recorded five interceptions.

"I was amazed by how many people were waiting in the gym back in Three Rivers for us. The place was packed," said Shaw. "We had a pep rally and the community has been great. The celebration will continue for a few weeks and I'm just happy for these kids. They deserve it."

The championship marks the school's first football state title. They have appeared in 11 playoff appearances under Shaw and lost in the state semi-finals in 1991, which was the closest they have been to a state title. Shaw has amassed a career record of 152-34 and captured 15 Wolverine Conference titles in 18 years of coaching at Three Rivers. He also serves as the Three Rivers men's head track coach.

Each week throughout the 2003 nine-week regular season, one coach that best developed his players' character, discipline and football skill was recognized for his commitment to the team, school and community. The winners were selected by a panel of three newspaper writers -- Mick McCabe (Detroit Free Press), Jane Bos (Grand Rapids Press) and Hugh Bernreuter (Saginaw News).

This season's program awarded $12,000 to aid in the development and promotion of high school football thanks to contributions from the National Football League and the Detroit Lions.

Each winning coach throughout the regular season received a $1,000 donation to his school's football program. Shaw and all of the weekly winners will be honored at an awards ceremony during the Lions-Rams game on December 28. During the ceremony, the Lions will also honor Shaw, the Detroit Lions High School Coach of the Year. Shaw will receive a $3,000 donation to his team's football program.

In addition to the monetary award, all winners receive a framed certificate signed by Lions' head coach Steve Mariucci, National Football League (NFL) Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, as well as former Detroit Lion and current NFL Director of Football Development, Gene Washington. Winning coaches also receive a personalized game ball, and a Detroit Lions "Coach of the Week" hat.