The National Football Foundation’s Chapter Network Presented by

JULY 16, 2008 — VOL. 4, ISSUE 14 BUILDING LEADERS THROUGH FOOTBALL Greater Austin Hooks the Region’s Best and the Brightest Texas VIPs Turn Out to Honor Local High School Scholar-Athletes

capacity crowd of 400 people filled the Union Ballroom on the campus of the University of Texas for the Greater A Austin Chapter’s 16th Annual Banquet May 12, including College Football Hall of Famers coach Darrell Royal, Roosevelt Leaks and James Saxton. Behind the exceptional leadership of President Pat Kelly and Executive Director David McWilliams, the chapter recognized 43 outstanding student-athletes. Mania Musa, headed to Notre Dame in the fall from Georgetown HS, and Taylor Newton, a U.S. Naval Academy recruit from McNeil HS, claimed top student-athlete honors. Texas head football coach Mack Brown, a strong supporter of chapter and NFF for many years, introduced Major Applewhite, Greater Austin Chapter’s 2008 Scholar-Athletes. the former Longhorns record-setting QB and current assistant coach, who delivered the keynote address to the scholar-atheltes. The chapter presented its Distinguished American Award to DeLoss Dodds, who has served as the University of Texas’ athletics director for the past 27 years. The national organization recognized Dodds in 2006 with its prestigious John L. Toner Award. The chapter’s Young American Award went to Dr. Carlos Brown, who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and currently works as the Trauma Medical Director at Brackenridge Hospital in Austin. Dr. Bill Graves claimed the Contribution to Amateur Football Award. Chris Plonsky, the women’s director of athletics at Texas, and Bill Little the school’s special assistant to Coach Brown for communications, play a vital role in the chapter as board Longhorns head coach Mack Brown has provided Major Applewhite, the former Longhorns QB and a great deal of support to the chapter since his current assistant coach, delivered the keynote members and at the national level in various roles. arrival in Austin. address to the scholar-athletes.

(l to r) Roosevelt Leaks, Hall of Famer; Pat Kelly, chapter president; DeLoss Dodds, Distinguished American Award winner; Coach Darrell Royal, Hall of Famer; Mack Brown, UT head football coach; David McWilliams, chapter executive director; Dr. Carlos Brown, Young American Award winner; Chris Plonsky, UT women’s athletics director; James Saxton, Hall of Famer; Dr. Bill Graves, Contribution to Amateur Chapter executive director David McWilliams. Seth Patterson of Stony Point HS plans to play Football Award winner; Major Applewhite, keynote speaker; Ron Dilatush, NFF. football at Western Michigan next fall. www.footballfoundation.org Page 1 July 16, 2008 The National Football Foundation’s Chapter Network Presented by The Value of Brian Piccolo Lives on in Fort Lauderdale Chapter Stages 33rd Banquet Honoring 43 Local Scholar-Athletes

he late Brian Piccolo has become a symbol of courage for all who know his story, and the Brian Piccolo Chapter T of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., proudly carries the name of the local-erstwhile star from St. Thomas HS. A standout at Wake Forest and later with the Chicago Bears, Piccolo will always be remembered for living life to the fullest and maintaining the highest values during his heroic battle with cancer, and the chapter each year recognizes the very best high school scholar- athletes in his name. This year behind the strong leadership of current President Thomas Coon, the chapter notched its 33rd Annual Scholar- Athlete Banquet, staging their largest banquet ever with more than 350 in attendance April 23 at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott North. Forty-three high school scholar-athletes took home scholar-athlete honors, including several individuals who will continue their football careers next fall at schools such as Florida, Florida State, Florida Atlantic, South Florida and Harvard. Michigan State head football coach Mark Dantonio delivered the keynote address while Sports Authority Executive Chairman Mark Hanaka received the chapter’s Distinguished American Chapter board of directors (front row l to r): Michael Brown, Thomas Coon, Martin Bidwill, Shawn Cerra. Second row: David Gordon, Scott Anderson, Coach Mark Dantonio, David Scully, Michael Ahearn. Award. Scott Israel, a 30-year veteran of South Florida law enforcement and current chief of the North Bay Village Police Department, accepted the chapter’s Contribution to Amateur Football for his many years of service to youth sports. The chapter continues a long-term and productive relationship with The Orange Bowl Foundation (OBF) with the presentation of The OBF Overall Winners Awards. Douglas Wiley and Florida State Rep. Jack Seiler, D-Pompano Beach, represented the Orange Bowl in presenting the 2008 awards to David Seamon of Coral Springs Christian Academy, Michigan State head football coach Mark Dantonio Distinguished American Award winner Mark delivered the keynote address. Hanaka. David Quintero from Fort Lauderdale HS and South Fort Lauderdale native Brain Piccolo. Broward’s Jordan Sessa.

Overall Winners (l to r): David Seamon, Coral Springs Christian; Coach Dantonio; David Quintero, Fort Brian Piccolo Chapter Scholar-Athletes. Lauderdale and Jordan Sessa, South Broward. www.footballfoundation.org July 16, 2008 Page 2 The National Football Foundation’s Chapter Network Presented by Triangle Chapter Awards $17,000 Duke, NC State, North Carolina Central and UNC Lend Their Support orth Carolina State’s Carter-Finley Stadium provided the stage for the 13th Annual Triangle Chapter Scholar- NAthlete Banquet in Raleigh with 17 outstanding student- athletes accepting a $1,000 scholarship each. Dennis Byrd, who became NC State’s first consensus All- American in 1967 and a member of the ACC’s 50th Anniversary Team, delivered the evening’s keynote address to the scholar- athletes in attendance. The $17,000 awarded by the Triangle Chapter in 2008, brings the groups all-time total to $200,000 since its inception. The four area universities play an integral role in the chapter’s efforts, and one student-athlete from Duke, North Carolina State, North Carolina Central and the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill accepted recognition for their accomplishments. Newly-appointed Duke Head Coach Dave Cutcliffe, NC State’s Tom O’Brien, Mose Rison from NC Central and Assistant Coach John Shuppe from North Carolina all attended to honor their school’s respective award winners. The chapter presented its Outstanding Contribution to Amateur Football Award to David Riggs, who has coached locally in Chapter President Moyer Smith (r) presents a plaque to scholar-athlete Dalton Lile of Riverside HS. the high school ranks for 30 years, including his current post as the head coach at Fuquay-Varina HS. Retired North Carolina State sports information director Frank Weedon received the Distinguished American Award. Chapter President Moyer Smith continues to lead an active and growing chapter. The Triangle Chapter added the highest number of new members in 2007 and is currently the third largest chapter in the country. The chapter’s Sixth Annual Pigs’kin Preview featuring the head coaches at the area four universities will be held on July 17. The event is the chapter’s chief way of collecting new Rivals on the field and friends off it; NC State head coach Tom O’Brien (l) and Duke head coach David members. The Preview is the Cutcliffe. brainchild of chapter board member and former collegiate head football coach Bill Dennis Bryd, an All-American from NC State delivered the keynote address. Dooley.

Hall of Famer Don McCauley of UNC presents a Scholar-Athlete Luke Lathan of NC State receives scholar-athlete award to Andrew Reid of Charles his plaque from Wolf Pack Coach Tom O’Brien. Jordan HS. Wade Snedecor from Broughton HS receives his scholar-athlete plaque from Marie and Coach Bill Dooley. www.footballfoundation.org Page 3 July 16, 2008 The National Football Foundation’s Chapter Network Presented by Utah Chapter Scholar-Athletes Boast a 3.95 GPA Hall of Fame Coach Levell Edwards Presents Award

capacity crowd of 525 flocked to the MaKay A Events Center on the campus of Utah Valley State College in Orem April 23 for the 14th annual Utah Chapter Scholar-Athlete Banquet. Twelve remarkable high school scholar-athletes who compiled an impressive 3.95 cumulative GPA took home a total of $12,000 in scholarships. The group contained five class presidents, three eagle scouts The Utah Chapter covers the entire state. and one All-American football player, Austin Holt from Bingham HS. Holt, named to several All- America squads, plans to play tight end at BYU in the fall.

College Football Hall of Fame Coach Levell Edwards from Carolina Panthers Jordan Gross received the DA BYU introduced the chapter’s Contribution to Amateur Football Award from his college coach at Utah and current Scholar-Athlete Mark Ercanbrack of Timpview HS Award winner, Dave Kragthorpe who previously served as head Weber State Coach Ron McBride. hauls in a pass. coach at Idaho State and Oregon State. Former winners of the award include Hall of Famers, Edwards and a pair of Cougar quarterbacks, Marc Wilson and Gifford Nielsen. Jordan Gross, the Carolina Panthers All-Pro offensive tackle and former Utah All-America, claimed the Distinguished American Award, after accepting an introduction from his college coach and current Weber State coach Ron McBride. Previous recipients of the award include College Football Hall of Famers coach John Ralston (Utah State, Stanford, San Jose State), Merlin Olsen (Utah State) and Steve Young (BYU). Davis Knight, who has led American Fork HS to 20 playoff appearances in his 26 years as head coach, picked up the Service to High School Football Award. Steve Lunt, who is a charter member of the USHAA Officials Hall of Fame, took home the chapter’s Officials Award. The chapter continues to thrive behind the strong leadership of President John Haning and long-time leadership of Mike Frazer. The scenic Utah Valley College campus was the site of the chapter’s awards banquet.

Past winners of the Utah Chapter’s Distinguished American Award include (l to r) College Football Hall of Famers Steve Young, Merlin Olsen and Coach John Hall of Fame Coach Levell Edwards presented the Ralston. Distinguished American Award. www.footballfoundation.org July 16, 2008 Page 4