Orono, Maine -- Longtime University of Maine football head coach Jack Cosgrove, the Black Bears' all-time leader in wins, will be honored with the George C. Carens Award for lifetime contributions to New England Football.

The New England Football Writer's Association will honor Coach Cosgrove at the New England Football Writers Annual Captains and Awards banquet held on Thursday, Dec. 8 at the Montvale Plaza in Stoneham, Mass. Cosgrove is just the third with Maine ties to receive the honor as he follows former recipients George Hale (2007) and Jack Bicknell (2004).

Cosgrove, named UMaine's head coach on Feb. 22, 1993, has the most wins (129-135) in the history of the football program. Under Cosgrove's leadership over his 23 years, the Black Bears won three conference championships and made five NCAA postseason appearances.

After graduating from the University of Maine in 1978, Cosgrove spent two years as a graduate assistant with the Black Bears. Following a two-year stint at Boston College, Cosgrove returned to UMaine in 1987 as the coach for quarterbacks and receivers, helping guide the team to its first NCAA playoff appearance. Cosgrove was promoted to pass game coordinator in 1988 before being named Maine's offensive coordinator in 1989.

As a student-athlete, Cosgrove was a two-time second-team All-Yankee Conference quarterback and an ECAC All-Star for the Black Bears. Cosgrove currently ranks as the 10th all-time leading passer in Maine football history with 2,836 career yards.

Including his undergraduate years and his assistant coaching tenures at Maine, Cosgrove has dedicated 34 years to the University of Maine.

Aside from developing athletes on the field, Cosgrove remained focused on guiding students to success in the classroom. Over his final 10 years at the helm, the football program achieved NCAA Academic Progress Rates above 950, including a 980 mark in 2008-09. The Black Bears have produced numerous CAA All-Academic honors, CAA Student-Athlete of the Year selections in 2013 and 2008 and M Club Dean Smith honorees in 2013, 2008 and 2001.

Cosgrove earned his bachelor's degree and master's in educational administration from UMaine in 1978 and 1981, respectively. He then became the head football coach at Stoughton High School (Mass.), where he also taught American history from 1981–84.

Cosgrove, a Sharon, Massachusetts native, graduated from Sharon High School. He and his wife, Marilyn, are the parents of twins, Matthew and Carly, and daughters Sydni and Jeri.

The George C. Carens award was first adopted in 1952 as an honor presented to those individuals who have devoted great deals of time and effort into football in New England.

COSGROVE OVERVIEW:

• 23 seasons as head coach at UMaine
• 129 career wins, most in school-history
• 90 league wins, fourth most in league history
• 3 NCAA Playoff victories
• 264 games coached, more than any other head coach in program history
• 20 All-Americans coached
• 3 NFL Draft Picks
• 3 Buck Buchanan Award finalists (FCS Defensive Player of the Year)
• 2013 & 2004, defeated FBS opponents (UMass/Mississippi St.)
• 2002 — School-record 11 wins
• 2013 — Hosted first-ever NCAA playoff game at Alfond Stadium (vs. UNH)
• 2013 Maine Sports Hall of Fame Inductee
• 2013, 2008, 2001 Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year finalist
• 2013 — CAA Coach of the Year & American Football Coaches Association FCS Region 1 Co-Coach of the Year, Gridiron Club of Greater Boston Bowl/Championship Division Head Coach of the Year,
• 2013 & 2011 New England Football Writers FCS Coach of the Year
• 2001 — American Football Monthly I-AA National Coach of the Year
• 2001 & 1996 — Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year

-UMaine-