Jolicoeur Earns Final Gold Helmet Award of 2016 Season
Windham, N.H. native recorded a team-high 13 tackles in Western New England's 44-27 win over Husson in NCAA first round
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (November 23, 2016) – Western New England University sophomore Kurtis Jolicoeur (Windham, Maine) has been selected as the Division II/III Gold Helmet award winner by the New England Football Writers Association, it was announced yesterday.
Jolicoeur recorded a game-high 13 tackles (eight solo), including one for loss in Western New England's 44-27 victory over Husson on Saturday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
The Windham, N.H. native is the second Golden Bear to earn this award in the last three weeks, as senior running back Nick Connell (East Marion, N.Y.) was recognized following his performance in the team's New England Football Conference (NEFC) clinching victory at Salve Regina on November 5.
Jolicoeur, a first team All-New England Football Conference (NEFC) selection in his first year as a member of the Western New England defense, ranks second on the team with 71 tackles, including 9.5 for a loss of 28 yards and two sacks to go with one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and two interceptions. He was named to the D3football.com Team of the Week on November 1 after collecting NEFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Jolicoeur becomes the 11th Golden Bear to receive the prestigious Gold Helmet Award, which recognizes the outstanding performances of one Division I and one Division II/III football player each week. He joins Connell, Kevin Cook (2014), Alex Miller ('12), Mike Graham ('11), Bryce Brown ('10), Justin Walz ('07), Jordan Capitanio ('06), Jon Tallerico ('06), Mike Laroche ('04), and Marvin Langley, who is the only player to earn the award multiple times ('01, twice in '00).
Jolicoeur will be presented with his Gold Helmet plaque at the New England Football Writers Association Banquet on December 8.
Western New England (11-0) will be on the road this Saturday for the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Alfred University in Alfred, N.Y.