Lebeau Named New England DIII Assistant Coach of the Year by the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston

Belchertown, Mass. native and former Golden Bear player directed NEFC's second ranked offense this fall

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (November 17, 2016) – Western New England University offensive coordinator Jason Lebeau has been recognized as the New England Division III Assistant Coach of the Year by the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston, the organization announced today.

Lebeau earns this prestigious honor after directing a Western New England offense that ranked second in the New England Football Conference (NEFC) in both scoring (41.0 PPG) and total offense (460.5 YPG) during the Golden Bears' 10-0 (7-0 NEFC) regular season. Western New England compiled 400+ yards in all but two games, surpassing the 500-yard mark five times. Seven Golden Bears were recognized with All-NEFC offensive honors, including five first team selections.

Now in his seventh season on the Western New England coaching staff and fifth as offensive coordinator, Lebeau joined head coach Keith Emery's staff as an offensive line coach in 2010 before being promoted to his current role in 2012. Last fall, the Belchertown, Mass. native was responsible for one of the nation's most prolific offensive units, as the Golden Bears ranked 24^th in NCAA Division III in total offense (479.9 YPG) and tenth in rushing (272.7 YPG).

A 2010 Western New England graduate, Lebeau was a three-year starter on the offensive line for the Golden Bears and the team's offensive MVP during his senior season. He was also selected to the 2009 All-NEFC Boyd Division First Team and was a three-time NEFC Academic Team selection. Lebeau earned his undergraduate degree in sport management before going on to receive his master's in business administration earlier this year.

Lebeau will be recognized with the rest of the award winners at the Gridiron Club's annual awards banquet, which will be held at the Burlington Marriott Hotel on Thursday, December 15.

Western New England, which earned the NEFC's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, will host its first-ever NCAA game this Saturday (Nov. 19) against Husson University at noon.

About the Gridiron Club, "Keepers of the Flame"
Founded in 1932, the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston (www.gridclubofgreaterboston.com) promotes the game of football at all levels and nurtures the ideals of citizenship, sportsmanship, leadership, and athletic and academic achievement. Through its annual dinners and golf tournament, the club carries on its tradition of honoring exemplary players, coaches and officials at all levels of the sport, and supporting worthy charitable causes, especially those that assist children.