Conard Football Coach Receives Distinguished American Award from National Football Foundation

Conard's head football coach Rob Cersosimo has received another prestigious award.

On Monday afternoon, he was surprised in his office at Conard by representatives of the National Football Foundation, notifying him that he had been selected by the organization's Northern Chapter to receive the Distinquished American Award.

"I'm absolutely shocked and humbled to receive this award," Cersosimo said. He is the first head coach in the chapter's history to be given this honor.

According to a news release from West Hartford Public Schools, the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame's Northern Chapter annually "pays tribute to a select few with awards of excellence for exhibiting superior qualities of scholarship, citizenship and leadership. Additionally, the Foundation also recognizes individuals who demonstrate outstanding support for the NFF and its mission of promoting the game of amateur football."

The Distinquished American Award is given to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the betterment of amateur football in the U.S. according to the release.

Cersosimo, who had no idea that he was being considered for the honor until he was notified Monday, said that the prospect of winning an award like this was "probably the farthest thought from my mind."

"It's a tribute to Conard and all the people I've worked for and with," he said.

Cersosimo has been head football coach at Conard High School since 1984 and only the second coach to serve in that capacity. The first was his father-in-law, Bob McKee, in whose honor the stadium is named. Cersosimo will receive his award at the National Football Foundation Awards Dinner on Sunday, May 19, 2013, at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington. 

Cersosimo was inducted into the Connecticut High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame last fall. He was recognized during halftime of the UConn vs. Temple game in October and at a dinner at the Aqua Turf on Nov. 15, 2012.

The National Football Foundation also honors high school and college scholar-athletes as well as community leaders. , was honored as a scholar-athlete by the NFF last spring.

Seven U.S. Presidents, as well as countless military, business and community leaders have been recognized by the organization.