Charles Raykovich, head coach at Chippewa Falls High School, has been named Green Bay Packers Coach of the Week, the organization announced Thursday.
"This is a great honor that has been bestowed upon us," Raykovich said. "I have nothing but the highest praise for our assistant coaches here at Chippewa Falls High School, and it goes through to the middle school and the youth program. We work our kids hard, expect a lot out of them, and their parents back us. I’m extremely proud of the town of Chippewa Falls."
Tonight, Chippewa Falls hosts Eau Claire Memorial with a shot at its first outright Big Rivers Conference title since 1999. They clinched at least a share of the conference title with a hard-fought, 14-13 victory over Menomonie last week, snapping the Indians’ 47-game conference winning streak.
Raykovich has headed up the Chippewa Falls program since 1987 and oversees a high school program of 132 players. He is assisted by Ed Watkins, Bart Olson, Mike Thompson, Jon Sylte, Tim Leis, Barret Brenner, Tim Pomietlo, Chad Burger, Dan Loomis, Nick Gagnon, Brian Stegner and Jim Vangorden.
Raykovich is a 1970 graduate of Bloomer (Wis.) High School and lettered four years at running back at University of Wisconsin-Superior under Monty Charles and Ed Bender. He began his coaching career in 1974 as the head coach at Crandon (Wis.) High School before moving to UW-Stout for two seasons as offensive coordinator (1983-84). Raykovich returned to Crandon for two seasons before taking over the Chippewa Falls program.
Married to Roxanne, he is the son of 1992 Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame inductee Joe Raykovich.
The Packers will recognize one outstanding high school coach as their 'Coach of the Week' winner during the 2007 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 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.
