The following is a news release from the Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears announced Thursday that head coach Peter Panagakis of Wheeling High School in Wheeling has been named the Chicago Bears High School “Coach of the Week” for Week 1 and quarterback Hank Beatty of Rochester High School in Rochester was named the Chicago Bears “High School All-Star.”
The “Coach of the Week” and “High School All-Stars” programs are presented by Athletico Physical Therapy. The Bears will make a $2,000 donation to the Wheeling HS football program and direct a $500 donation to the youth football program of Beatty’s choice.
Congratulations to the @ChicagoBears Coach of the Week winner brought to you by @Athletico, Coach Panagakis of @Wheeling_Cats!@IHSA_IL x #CoachOfTheWeek pic.twitter.com/fyLGvN5Bdw
— Chicago Bears (@BearsOutreach) September 2, 2021
Peter Panagakis
Panagakis is in his first year as head coach for Wheeling, after being named to the position in August; he’d previously been an assistant coach for 16 years. He inherited a team that had lost 19 straight games and fielded approximately only 20 players, which he was able to quickly increase to nearly 40 in two weeks. The Wildcats won their first game of the season to snap the losing streak with a 27-15 victory over Round Lake. Panagakis also spent 30 years with the Wheeling Police Department. Wheeling will play at Barrington (0-1) on Friday.
The Chicago Bears announced today that head coach Peter Panagakis of Wheeling High School in Wheeling has been named the Chicago Bears High School “Coach of the Week” for Week 1 and quarterback Hank Beatty of Rochester High School in Rochester was named the Chicago Bears “High School All-Star.” The “Coach of the Week” and “High School All-Stars” programs are brought to you by Athletico Physical Therapy. The Bears will make a $2,000 donation to the Wheeling HS football program and direct a $500 donation to the youth football program of Beatty’s choice.
Congratulations to Hank Beatty of @Rocketnation1 for being chosen as our @ChicagoBears High School All-Star brought to you by @Athletico.@IHSA_IL x #HighSchoolAllStars pic.twitter.com/0Bs9SWa5Xl
— Chicago Bears (@BearsOutreach) September 2, 2021
Hank Beatty
The senior quarterback led Rochester to a 56-21 win in their season opener at Jacksonville. Beatty tallied two rushing touchdowns and threw for three touchdowns and nearly 200 yards. A two-time Central State Eight Academic All-Conference selection, Beatty has committed to the University of Illinois as a wide receiver. He has thrown 990 yards, rushed for more than 1,000 yards and caught 150 passes for more than 2,600 yards in his career; he is on pace to become the first player in Central State Eight Conference history with 1,000-plus rushing, passing and receiving yards. Rochester will host MacArthur (1-0) tomorrow.
About “Coach of the Week” & “High School All-Star”
The Chicago Bears “Coach of the Week” program was launched in 1996 and “High School All-Star” program in 2011. The “Coach of the Week” program honors outstanding Illinois high school coaches who develop players’ football skills and knowledge, character, leadership, discipline and teamwork abilities. The nomination criteria for the “High School All-Star” program includes on-field performance, community involvement and good sportsmanship. Deserving high school coaches and players are nominated by a panel of local prep authorities and the winning player is selected each week from August 27-October 23. Since the program’s inception, the Bears have donated more than $326,500 to Illinois high schools in support of their football programs. For more information, please visit chicagobears.com/community.
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