DiChiaro has been part of the Giants efforts to spread awareness about the importance of everything flag football has to offer. DiChiaro was part of a Women's History Month panel hosted at the team facility to educate staff on the progress being made in flag football. Additionally, the Giants and the NFL surprised Coach DiChiaro and Jenn Kisslinger with tickets to Super Bowl LVII in Las Vegas to recognize the contributions they have made to the game of flag football. DiChiaro also helped lead fundraising efforts for Section 1 girls flag football through a partnership with the Giants and Kendra Scott, a woman owned jewelry company working to empower females, and shared the importance of their support on an episode of the Her Playbook podcast presented by Kendra Scott.
Coach DiChiaro instills confidence within her athletes that translates to every aspect of their life. As a role model in the community of Somers, she has created a pathway for high school athletes to be successful in anything they do and set goals that were not possible 5 years ago. She has created connections within families that allow everyone to be involved in the game of flag football whether it is through playing, coaching or supporting. Thanks to her efforts, student-athletes are now looking to compete in flag football at the college level and have set their sights on becoming an Olympian. DiChiaro continuously uses football to bring communities and families together and there is no better person to be the inaugural recipient of the New York Giants High School Girls Flag Football Coach of the Year.
"Katie has brought so much passion and love for the sport of flag football and women's sports to Somers and across New York State. She is an amazingly kind, caring, and wonderful person. We are so fortunate to have her as part of our athletic department, and she is the perfect choice for the first ever recipient of the 2025 NY Giants Coach of the Year Award," said Marc Hattem, Director of Athletics, Health and Physical Education at Somers High School.
**2025 High School Girls Flag Football Coach of the Week Honorees**
Week 1—Kristen Patnode, Northeastern Clinton High School, Champlain, NY
Week 2 – Frank Rogers, Troy High School, Troy, NY
Week 3 – Nuryel Benitez, Yonkers' High School, Yonkers, NY
Week 4 – Melissa Menges, Holmdel High School, Holmdel, NJ
Week 5—Mikey Carr, Union-Endicott High School, Endicott, NY
Week 6 – Rita French, Enfield High School, Enfield, CT
Week 7—Rany Kalman, Rumson Fair Haven Regional High School, Rumson, NJ
Week 8 – Terrell Huff, Windsor High School, Windsor, CT
Week 9- John "Rusty" Virkler, Owego Free Academy, Owego, NY
Week 10 – Craig Cavotta, Columbia High School, East Greenbush, NY