Chapter Network. The National Football Foundation s

Transcription

1 The National Football Foundation s Chapter Network AUGUST 11, 2008 VOL. 4, ISSUE 17 BUILDING LEADERS THROUGH FOOTBALL St. Louis/Tom Lombardo Chapter Eclipses $250,000 in Scholarships Hall of Famers Wehrli and Roland, and Missouri Head Coach Pinkel Headlined Event With more than 600 people in attendance, 15 scholarathletes claimed honors at the 16th Annual St. Louis/ Tom Lombardo Chapter Awards Banquet May 4 at the Washington University Field House. Behind the dynamic leadership of President Bob Bunton, a very strong board of directors, and key support of the St. Louis Rams, the chapter presented $21,500 in scholarships at the event, bringing its all-time total to $250,000. The chapter s 15 scholar-athletes this year included 11 high school players, three denizens of the youth gridiron, and one collegiate scholar-athlete. In addition to its scholar-athlete program, the highly-active chapter annually recognizes three outstanding high school programs; eight adults for their contributions to the game; and two winners of the Most Inspirational Award. The 2008 honorees included Missouri head football coach Gary Pinkel who received the chapter s prestigious Tom Lombardo Leadership Award, and Roger Wehrli, a College Football Hall of Fame inductee from Missouri, who claimed the chapter s Don Faurot Distinguished American Award. Wehrli, who played 14 years in the NFL with the St. Louis Cardinals, earned induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007 while Pinkel bought national attention to the Tigers program in 2007 with a 12-2 record, a Big 12 North Title, a victory in the AT&T Cotton Bowl, and a final AP ranking of No. 4. Named in the memory of Tom Lombardo, the award memorializes the national hero who captained Coach Red Blaik s 1944 undefeated Army team before heading to serve in the Korean War where he was killed in action. College Football Hall of Famer Johnny Roland of Missouri and former NFL head coach Jim Hanifan presented the honorees plaques, including Roland s grandson Adam Roland, who accepted honors for his youth play with the Oakville Junior Tigers program. College Football Hall of Famers Roger Wehrli (l) and Johnny Roland presented awards to chapter honorees. Missouri head coach Gary Pinkel who led the Tigers to one of their most successful seasons in school history was the recipient of the chapter s Tom Lombardo Leadership award. Mike Allen of Vianney HS was honored as one of 11 high school scholar-athletes chosen from more than 200 schools in the area. Former NFL Coach Jim Hanifan presents the Gene Barth Officiating Award to Steve Barth as Steve s wife Kim looks on. The award is named in honor of Steve s late father who officiated in the NFL for many years Chapter Scholar-Atheltes. Page 1 August 11, 2008

2 The National Football Foundation s Chapter Network Commonwealth Chapter Honors 16 Scholar-Athletes Celebrating its 10th Anniversary the Richmond-Based Chapter Annually Hosts 18 Events Busy and productive stand as two words that best describe the Commonwealth Chapter of Richmond, Va. The hyperkinetic chapter staged their 10th Annual Scholar- Athlete Banquet April 20 at the Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Glen Allen, Va., marking one of the more than 18 events orchestrated by the chapter each year. Nearly 200 people attended this year s scholar-athlete banquet, which saluted 16 area high school student-athletes for their accomplishments on and off the field. The chapter distributed a total of $3,000 in scholarships to the group, and Richmond coach Mike London delivered the keynote address. A 1983 graduate from Richmond, London spent the past seven seasons molding one of the nation s top defenses at Virginia before being named head coach on January 21. Retiring Commissioner of the Central Virginia Football Officials Association, Bubba Winston, claimed a Special Recognition Award for his ten years with the association and his 43 years of officiating high school football in the region. The chapter s busy agenda also includes a college all-star game, a coaching academy, Mothers in Sports Night, a fishing tournament and the Willie Lanier College Recruiting Night. Named in honor of the Pro and College Hall of Famer, the Willie Lanier College Recruiting Night has become a staple for the region. Lanier, a Richmond native, starred as a linebacker at Morgan State and with the Kansas City Chiefs, earning induction into both the Pro and College halls of fame. He has been a key supporter of the chapter, and he also serves on the National NFF Board. The chapter s success stems from the tireless leadership of several key individuals, Chapter Founder and Chairman Joe Miller, President Herb Waters, Scholar-Athlete Selection Committee Chairman Bill Wray and chapter board member Dave Kearney.. The Commonwealth Chapter Scholar-Athlete class. Since 2001, The Commonwealth Chapter has staged the East Coast Bowl, which features the top players from collegiate divisional ranks in an All-Star Game. HS Scholar-Athlete Waverly Washington served on the Cadet Honor Council at Fork Union Military Academy. HS Scholar-Athlete Dante Cook played four positions at Stafford. Newly appointed Richmond head coach Mike London gave the keynote address. August 11, 2008 Page 2

3 The National Football Foundation s Chapter Network Southeastern Ohio Chapter Marks its 5th Year Six Top High School Scholar-Athletes Honored The Ohio University Inn located in the rolling hills of Athens played host to the 5th Annual Southeastern Ohio Chapter Scholar-Athlete Luncheon May 4. Behind the leadership of founding President Scott Welsh, the chapter selected six high school scholar-athletes, chosen from candidates at 27 area schools, for recognition based on their allround excellence. The 2008 chapter scholar-athletes included: Morgan Pavol, Morgan HS; Mason Pesek, Federal Hocking HS; Kyle Rawson, Eastern HS; Mark Potter, Logan HS; Alex Howdyshell, New Lexington HS and David Thomas, Frontier HS. This year, with the assistance of several key sponsors, the chapter presented a $500 scholarship to each student-athlete. Dave Boston, Sr., former head football coach at Nelsonville- York HS, delivered the keynote address. A legend in the region and a highly successful coach for 28 years, the field at Nelsonville bears his name. Matt Barnes, the former host of Gridiron Glory on WOUB-TV, served as master of ceremonies for the second consecutive year. Past guest speakers at the event include current Ohio U. head coach Frank Solich, former Bobcats punter Dave Zastudil who now kicks for the Cleveland Browns and Ohio offensive coordinator Gerry Gdowski. A former quarterback for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Gdowski earned recognition in 1989 as an NFF National Scholar- Athlete. Ohio U. coach Frank Solich was a past chapter luncheon guest speaker. Founding chapter President Scott Welsh with Athens, OH native and former NFF executive Rick Walls. Southeastern Ohio Chapter 2008 scholar-athletes. Coaching legend Dave Boston, Sr. delivered the keynote address. New Lexington coach Bill Nutt presents a scholar-athlete plaque to his star lineman Alex Howdyshell. Page 3 August 11, 2008

4 The National Football Foundation s Chapter Network Vermont Chapter Attracts Capacity Crowd Green Mountain Chapter Distributes $10,000 in its 15th Year Before a capacity crowd of 230, the Vermont Chapter held its 15th Annual Scholar-Athlete Banquet May 5 at the Kenyon Arena on the campus of Middlebury College. Scouring every corner of the state to find the best, the chapter paid special tribute to six exceptional high school and two collegiate scholar-athletes while presenting $5,000 in scholarships and awarding an additional $5,000 to deserving local high school and youth programs. The scholar-athletes were Ethan Clark, Essex HS; Phillip Hall, Union 32 HS; Logan Macomber, Lyndon Institute; Shaun McCarthy, Mount St. Joseph Academy; Dante Rossi, Spaulding HS; Justin Stewart, Rutland HS; Nathan Clancy, Middlebury College; and Brendan Recchia, Norwich University. Grady Vigneau, a former UNH football great who has been named the new headmaster of Bridgton Academy, took home the Contribution to Amateur Football Award. Denny Lambert, former University of Vermont Athletics Director, received the Distinguished American Award, and Richard Packy Sawyer claimed the Vermont State Official of the Year Award for his more than 30 years of officiating. Stan Eames was recognized for his leadership in youth football, and Spaulding HS coach Brennan Carney claimed Coach of the Year Award. In addition to the six high school scholar-athletes, the chapter recognized another 21 high school student-athletes for their efforts. J.J. Cioffi of WCAX-TV emceed the event. A winning team in football requires leadership, and the same holds true for a successful NFF chapter with the Vermont Chapter serving as a prime example. Since its inception 15 years ago, the Vermont Chapter has benefited from the stalwart leadership of its founding president and its current chairman Mickey Heinecken. In addition to the banquet, Heinecken and his chapter conduct a high school All-Star game, which funds its scholarship and grant program. Chapter Chairman Mickey Heinecken and Contribution to Amateur Football honoree Grady Vigneau, who has been named the new headmaster at Bridgton Academy. Shawn McIntyre, Norwich head coach; Brendan Recchia, Norwich scholar-athlete; Nathan Clancy, Middlebury scholar-athlete and Bob Ritter, Middlebury head coach. Each year the Vermont chapter stages a high school All-Star game which raises funds for its scholarship program. Center Shaun McCarthy (with hand on ball) prepares to snap the ball for Mt. St. Joseph Academy. Logan Macomber of Lyndon Institute excels not only on the football field and in the classroom, but is also an accomplished trombonist. August 11, 2008 Page 4

5

6 NFF Member Discount NFF Members can receive $3 off the 2008 edition of the Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook, a 384-page comprehensive guide to the upcoming college football season priced at $ The book has quickly become an indispensable guide for scouts, fans, coaches and play-by-play announcers, including the likes of ESPN s Chris Fowler and CBS Tim Brando. Shipping July 1, the 2008 edition can be ordered now by calling toll-free BALL. To receive the discount, provide your membership number and NFF08 as the code.