Derek Updike, of Arcadia (Wis.) High School, has been named Green Bay Packers High School Coach of the Week, the organization announced Tuesday.
Updike's Raiders improved to 10-2 after defeating fourth-ranked Osseo-Fairchild 34-18 in the third round of the Division 5 WIAA state playoffs. Prior to Saturday's victory, the Raiders upset both the No. 2 and No. 3-ranked teams in their bracket. Updike's team now travels to Stevens Point to face the undefeated Brillion Lions on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m., with the winner advancing to the state championship game at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison on Nov. 19.
"It's been a great ride and we've had a fantastic season from start to finish," Updike said. "It helps when you have a great core of juniors and seniors that work well together. We're really looking forward to Saturday's contest against a well-coached Brillion team and hopefully we can come out of there with a victory."
Updike began his coaching career as an assistant to Dick Fredrickson at Arcadia High School in 1995. After four years as an assistant, Updike then held the head coaching position from 1999-2002 before taking a six-year hiatus from the game to complete his master's degree in school administration. Updike was renamed the head coach of the Raiders before the start of the 2009 season.
Updike and his staff oversee a program that features 65 players, including a varsity squad of 35. He is assisted by Jim Garofalo, Bruce Hoesley, Paul Loesel, Brandon Sonsalla, Gerald Sonsalla, Bill Steinke, and Ryan Ziegler.
A native of Boscobel, Wis., Updike attended Boscobel High School where he played quarterback under head coach Ray Lacina. He is a 1993 graduate of Winona State (Minn.) University and is currently a fifth-grade teacher at Arcadia Elementary and Middle School.
Updike and his wife, Ledys, have a daughter, Kiara, and a son, Kaden.
*The Packers will recognize one outstanding high school coach as their 'Coach of the Week' winner during the 2009 high school football season. Winners are awarded several items and privileges, including a $1,000 donation to the school's football program from the Green Bay Packers and the NFL, as well as recognition of the award on packers.com.
Nominations for Coach of the Week should be submitted by 9 a.m. every Monday to Tim Schroeder, community outreach coordinator, at coachoftheweek@packers.com (e-mail) or by fax at (920) 569-7302. Please include the nominee's name, address, school, phone number, and reason he/she is deserving of the award.*
