Malden’s Exilhomme receives Black Excellence on the Hill Award

Malden High School educator and football head coach cited by state legislature’s Black and Latino Caucus

  Malden’s Witche Exilhomme has been named a recipient of the 2023 Black Excellence on the Hill Award. The award recognizes black community leaders who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to improve their communities and the Commonwealth. Exilhomme, a longtime Malden resident who is a 2012 Malden High School graduate, also is in his third year as Football Head Coach at his alma mater, as well as serving as an educator in the History Department at MHS. The former three-sport MHS standout was nominated for the award by Malden State Representative Steve Ultrino (D-33rd Middlesex).

  The Black and Latino Legislative Caucus has bestowed the award on worthy nominees who, like Exilhomme, have made significant impact on their communities. Exilhomme recently joined other awardees from across the state at a ceremony held at the State House attended by Rep. Ultrino and other members of the Malden state legislative delegation.

  Exilhomme also was recognized in his hometown in an appreciation gathering on Friday at Malden High School, his “base of operations.” At that gathering, Malden High School Principal Chris Mastrangelo read the official citation from the state House of Representatives – signed by House Speaker Ronald Mariano – recognizing Exilhomme. It read: “Be it hereby known to all that the Massachusetts House of Representatives offers its sincerest congratulations to: Witche Exilhomme.

  “In honor of your recognition by the Legislature as a 2023 Black Excellence Honoree & your leadership and dedication to the Malden youth community, the entire membership extends its very best wishes and expresses the hope for future good fortune and continued success in all endeavors.”

  Exilhomme is a 2012 Malden High School graduate and 2018 graduate of American International College in Springfield, where he received a bachelor of science degree as well as a master’s degree in business administration. He taught and coached at Milford Academy in New York and then joined the Malden High School football coaching staff as an assistant in 2020. In 2021 he was appointed football head coach at Malden High and is now in his third year. Coach Exilhomme is also in his second year as an educator in the History Department at Malden High School.

  In addition to his teaching and coaching duties, Exilhomme is well-known around Malden for having immersed himself into the community as a mentor to many young people across the city – boys and girls in all grades.

  Even before he officially joined both the Golden Tornadoes football staff and then the Malden High School faculty as a History educator, he has been “all Malden, all the time,” according to Principal Mastrangelo. “Coach Exilhomme is a valued member of our MHS staff and so well-deserving of this award,” Mastrangelo said. “We are proud of his accomplishments and service to the youth of Malden as an educator and coach and look forward to much more in the future.”

  The MHS principal explained the significance of the award for Exilhomme to the group gathered, particularly the many students on hand, and also read the State House citation.

  Since being named Football Head Coach here for the 2021 season, Exilhomme has only stepped up his efforts to nurture and enhance the lives of young people throughout the city, according to Malden Public Schools Physical Education Director Charlie Conefrey. In addition to coaching the football team, Coach Witche is heavily involved with numerous other programs in and out of sports for Malden youth. “Coach Exilhomme is well-known as a mentor, advocate and he is an ‘always on call’ counselor for all of Malden’s youth who can take advantage of his knowledge and perspectives on life,” Conefrey said.

  Exilhomme said he is honored to receive the Black Excellence Award and pledged to continue to work with Malden’s young residents who need the most assistance. “Our young people deserve whatever we can offer them in guidance and advice,” Exilhomme said. “If we can get them to accept and follow some basic values as hard work, trust and compassion for others, it will only help them in the future.

  “I always tell my players and others, ‘work hard to make life easy,’” Exilhomme said. Words to live by.