Jim Bylsma of Cambria-Friesland High School has been named Green Bay Packers Coach of the Week, the organization announced Friday.
Bylsma is in his 25th season as head coach of the Cambria-Friesland program. Winners of 179 games in that period, the Hilltoppers won the 2006 Trailways-Small Conference championship. They host Hilbert on Saturday in the WIAA Level 3 playoffs.
"I'm very appreciative of this honor, and it speaks highly of our program," Bylsma said. "I've been blessed with a lot of fine young men who have a great work ethic."
Despite an enrollment of 140, Bylsma and his staff oversee a program of 54 players, 36 of whom compete for the varsity squad. He is assisted by Jim Knudson, Scott Wotruba, Matt Pekarske, Phil Tallman and Kevin Fude.
Bylsma is a 1972 graduate of Randolph (Wis.) High School, where he lettered under Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame member John Kuenn. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in 1976 and began his coaching career in 1977 at Fennimore (Wis.) High School. Bylsma became an assistant coach at Cambria-Friesland in 1981 before being named head coach the following season.
Bylsma, a middle school science teacher, and his wife Pam have three children, Jamie, Jodi and Jon.
The Packers will recognize one outstanding high school coach as their 'Coach of the Week' winner during the 2006 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 www.NFLHS.com, the NFL's high school football Web site.
Nominations for Coach of the Week should be submitted by 9 a.m. every Monday to Cathy A. Dworak, manager of community relations, 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.
