Written by Communications Department Intern Kara Lindenmuth
Maine South girls flag football coach Carlos Panizo was selected as the Chicago Bears Girls Flag Football Coach of the Week by Dunkin’. This award recognizes excellence in team commitment and strong guidance highlighting the efforts to expand girls’ flag football throughout Illinois. Along with the award, the Chicago Bears will be donating $2,000 to the Maine South flag football program and will recognize Panizo during halftime at a Bears game in November.
Starting as a club that met in the cafeteria, Panizo has helped grow the Maine South girls flag football team into one that has competed in the NFL flag championship. Panizo led the Hawks to an impressive 24-3 record last season. The program has achieved several major milestones recently including winning the Chicago Bears NFL Flag Regional Tournament last October and representing the Bears at the NFL Flag National Championship this past July.
Reflecting on the honor, Pazino shared, “I’m very honored and humbled to win this award. It’s a direct reflection of all the hard work our coaches and players have put into this great new sport.”
“Carlos Panizo exemplifies everything we value in a coach: his care for students, his boundless commitment and his tireless work to lift Maine South’s girls flag football program,” expressed Maine South Principal Dr. Antwan Babakhani. “Carlos is very deserving of this recognition. We are incredibly fortunate to have him on the field and in our community.”