BHS Football Notebook Cochrane Honored for Her Booster Club Efforts

By KEN HAMWEY, 

Bulletin Sports Writer

Last month’s annual football banquet was the final event for Joslyn Cochrane as president of the Bellingham Blackhawks Football Booster Club. Cochrane was a member of the organization for six years and spent the last four as its president.

The Blackstone native was honored for her commitment and the countless hours she gave for so many efforts to promote the grid program. Besides flowers, she was presented a stunning framed collage of past events and experiences and a TVL championship sweatshirt with her name attached.

“Serving as a booster club member and its president has been a very rewarding experience,’’ Cochrane said. “I made a lot of friends and have great memories. The players were like my own family, and I enjoyed working with all of the coaches.’’

Varsity coach Dan Haddad heaped plenty of praise on Cochrane and expressed his thanks for the way she handled a very important role.

“Nothing rattled Joslyn,’’ he emphasized. “She was always calm and cool under pressure and there was no drama during her years as a booster. She was the queen of the program and left an incredible mark on our program.’’

Emilee Whittaker and Jen Alger will now take the reins and serve as co-presidents of the club.

BLACKHAWK AWARD

Ryan Cochrane (Joslyn’s son) won the Blackhawk Award, which symbolizes a team-first attitude and a commitment to the program.

Cochrane’s was a two-time captain and spent five years in the program, playing cornerback, running back and wide receiver. A senior, he also was a two-time captain for the wrestling team, competing in the 138-pound class.

“I’m honored to win the Blackhawk Award,’’ he said, “and it feels pretty good. There was a lot of sacrifice involved.’’

Cochrane has been accepted at Roger Williams University in Rhode Island where he intends to compete in wrestling and will major in criminal justice.

GIFT FOR HADDAD

Dan Haddad received an unexpected gift at the team’s annual banquet. A football encased in glass and signed by all his varsity players was presented to him for his 10 years as head coach. His teams have qualified for seven tourney berths and won three TVL titles.

“I was blown away with that present,’’ he said. “I was shocked, surprised, pleased and humbled by the honor.’’

2025 CAPTAINS

Captains for next season were announced and they include Wyatt Callery (tight end/linebacker), Sam Sullivan (receiver/safety), Jacoby McCarthy (guard/tackle), and William Lahousse (guard/linebacker).

All four were honored at the annual Bellingham High football banquet last month. Callery was a co-winner of the Defensive Player of the Year Award; Sullivan was chosen the Defensive Linebacker/Back of the Year; McCarthy was selected as the Defensive Lineman of the Year and he also received the King of the Weightroom Award; and Lahousse earned Jayvee Lineman of the Year.

STATE HOUSE HONOR

State Representative Mike Soter, whose district includes Bellingham, Uxbridge, Blackstone and Millville, presented citations to all of the 2024 football team’s players and coaches.

The citations were presented in recognition of the Blackhawks’ winning the Tri Valley League’s Small Division Championship.