Chapter Network the National Football Foundation’Spresented by Chapter Network Presented By

The National Football Foundation’s Chapter Network The National Football Foundation’sPresented by Chapter Network Presented by

April 3, 2008 - Vol. 4, Issue 7 Building Leaders Through Football Auburn Chapter Celebrates 10th Annual Banquet Tiger coordinators Franklin and Rhoads provide 2008 season insights. ith nearly 150 people in attendance, The Auburn WChapter held its 10th Annual Scholar-Athlete Ban- quet March 28, highlighting the achievements of seven scholar-athletes for their academic and athletic prowess. Former Auburn linebacker Bill Cody, a 1965 All- SEC and All-SEC Academic honoree, gave the keynote address. Known as “Wild Bill” to Auburn fans, Cody en- gaged the crowd with tales of his on field exploits while also highlighting the importance of excelling in the classroom. The evening also featured updates from Auburn offensive coordinator Tony Franklin and Auburn de-

fensive coordinator Paul Rhoads. Auburn head coach Auburn TE Tommy Trott claimed a Auburn head coach Tommy Tuberville Tommy Tuberville attended, helping Chapter Presi- chapter scholarship. He was one of and former Auburn All-SEC player dent Trey Johnston with the presentation of the awards. three Tigers recognized by the chapter. Bill Cody attend the event. Former Auburn player and now Auburn Dean of Agriculture Richard Guthrie received the chapter’s Distinguished American Award, and former Auburn and Dallas Cowboys fullback Tommy Agee accepted the Outstanding Contributor to Amateur Football award. Three Auburn players took home scholarships to- taling $1,500: Jackson Timmerman (OL), Danny Perry (FB), and Tommy Trott (TE), and four high schools scholar-athletes also received recognition: Nick Clayton (Ope- lika HS); Brooks Robinson (Opelika HS and will attend Troy University); Trevor Ramsey (Auburn HS); and Josh Hundley (Lee-Scott Academy and will attend Hunting- Auburn Chapter President Trey Johnston Auburn offensive coordinator Tony thanks Tiger legend Tommy Agree for Franklin gives a few insights into the don College). Banquet Photo Credits: David Dismukes.■ his contributions to the amateur game. Tigers squad for the 2008 season.

Auburn Chapter HS Scholar-Athletes: Trevor Ramsey, Josh Hund- Auburn Chapter Collegiate Scholar-Athletes: Tommy Trott, Danny ley, Brooks Robinson, Nick Clayton, & Coach Tommy Tuberville. Perry, Jackson Timmerman, & Chapter President Trey Johnston.

www.footballfoundation.org Page 1 April 3, 2008 The National Football Foundation’s Chapter Network Presented by

Scholar-Athlete Coal Region Football Unique to the Core Scholar-Athlete Andrew Oxenrider Schuylkill Chapter Hosts 47th Annual Banquet Ryan Herring ith a rich history, which includes the Pottsville Maroons and the “disputed” 1925 NFL Championship, Schuylkill WCounty, Pa., boasts one of the proudest football followings in the land, and the Schuylkill/Pottsville Chap- ter has ensured that the NFF has had a strong presence in promoting coal region football since its founding in 1961. March 28 saw the continuation of the NFF’s legacy in the region as the chapter honored 14 scholar-athletes, including Travers Schmidt of Tamaqua Area HS, who claimed the chapter’s top scholar-athlete award and is headed to Cornell, and Matt Stankiewitch, a tackle at Blue Mountain HS who has earned an athletic scholarship to Penn State. Colleges selected by the other honorees include St. Joseph’s, Scranton, Niagara, King’s College, Wilkes, and Kutztown. The event attracted a crowd of 264 people, and the chapter distributed a total of $2,600 in scholarships while also recognizing the region’s 2007 championship coaches for their outstanding seasons. Dr. James Gallagher, Potts- ville Area School District Superintendent, delivered the keynote address: “An Educator’s View of a Scholar-Athlete.” Several VIPs attended, including State Senator James J. Rhoades, Pottsville Mayor John D.W. Reiley, and Schuylkill County Commissioners Mantura Gallagher and Francis McAndrew. Per tradition, the chapter identified sponsors who brought six freshmen from each of the area high schools to the event, challenging the freshmen to earn a return trip in their senior year. Behind the leadership of Chapter President Dave Holley and chapter officers Tom Demko, Jim Miller and Charles Miller, new generations of coal region football players will continue to be challenged by the NFF’s mission. ■

Travers Schmidt of Tamaqua Area HS accepted the chapter’s top scholar- Scholar-Athlete Matt Stankiewitch (right), a tackle at Blue Mountain HS, athlete award. He’ll attend Cornell in the fall. played in the Under Armour HS All-America Game and will attend Penn State.

Chapter Members: Dr. William Davidson, Bob Mills, Frank Mad- The Pottsville HS freshman representatives made up six of the 84 young ara, Chapter President Dave Holley (standing) and Charles Miller. players invited to attend and encouraged to earn a return trip in three years.

www.footballfoundation.org Page 2 April 3, 2008 The National Football Foundation’s Chapter Network Presented by Delaware Valley Chapter Distributes $38,000 Scholar-Athletes selected from seven New Jersey Counties he Delaware Valley Chapter, one of the most es- Ttablished NFF chapters in the nation, passed out 40 awards at their 46th Annual Scholar-Athlete Banquet March 16 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Princeton, N.J. Thirty high scholar-athletes, representing seven counties in Central New Jersey, claimed honors along- side three collegiate players while the chapter distributed

$38,000 in scholarships. Former NY Giants QB and Dela- Photo Credit: Beverly Schaefer ware All-America Scott Brunner and Kelly Myers, an in- surance executive, did the yeoman’s work in rasing the funds. Danny Fitzsimmons of Hunterdon Central Re- gional HS, took home the top award of $5,000, and he’ll play football in the fall at Princeton. At wide receiver and linebacker, Fitzsimmons led the Red Devils to back-to- back state championships. His coach, Matt Perott, claimed Princeton Scholar-Athlete College of New Jersey Scholar-Athlete the Hank Johns Coach of the Year Award at the event. Rob Toresco Andrew Larkin Andy Larkin and Dan Dornacker from the College of New Jersey and RobToresco from Princeton claimed the collegiate scholar-athlete awards. It was a return trip for Larkin and Toresco, who both were honored by the chapter as high school students. The chapter presented its Robert F. Casciola Dis- tinguished American Award to Chris Vernon, the president of Mercer Management and Development, and Jim Fisher, the managing member of Fisher Capital Corp., was honored with the Contribution to Amateur Football Award. Jim Wilno claimed the Jack Millard Officials Award for his more than 40 years of officiating. Mike Brodock of the Florence Pop Warner League picked up the Contribution to Youth Football Award while 10 year-old David Dudeck of the Hamilton Pop Warner League took home the Little Scholar-Athlete Award. Chapter President Eric Hamilton, board member George Wah and others continue with their leadership posi- College of New Jersey Scholar-Athlete College of New Jersey Coach and Dan Dornacker tions in making the chapter one of the busiest in the nation. ■ Chapter President Eric Hamilton

The 2008 Delaware Valley Chapter Honorees and Scholar-Athletes. The Delaware Valley Chapter Board of Directors.

www.footballfoundation.org Page 3 April 3, 2008 The National Football Foundation’s Chapter Network Presented by

57 Scholar-Athletes Speak San Fernando Valley Chapter uses an interview technique to keep a brisk pace. he San Fernando Valley Chapter honored 57 scholar-athletes March T11 at its 34th Annual Awards Banquet at the Sportsman’s Lodge in Studio City, Calif. Giving each honoree his due, the chapter used an interview technique rather than allowing the scholar-athletes speeches. The result: 57 interviews completed in less than one and half hours. The chapter, led by President Jim Lofdahl, believes the format gives the audience an appreciation for each individual scholar-athlete. Sam Lagana, associate vice chancellor at Pepperdine University, served as the emcee, keeping the event moving with swift and insightful interview questions. The crowd of 485 people also had the opportunity to hear from Notre Dame College Football Hall of Famer and 1964 Heisman Trophy winner John Huarte, who gave the keynote 1964 Hiesman Trophy winner John Huarte visits with address. The former Notre Dame quarterback was inducted into the Col- Fighting Irish recruits Joseph Fauria and Dayne Crist. lege Football Hall of Fame in 2005. Two of the chapter’s scholar-athletes have earned scholarships to Huarte’s alma mater: Joseph Fauria, a TE from Crespi Carmelite HS and Dayne Crist, a QB at Notre Dame HS. The chapter distributed a total of $5,000 in scholarships, and Raul Jacobo of Reseda HS won the Most Improved GPA Award and a $1,000 scholarship. As a freshman Raul posted a 0.19 GPA, but he turned the corner through perseverance, determination and several new role models that were lacking. He now owns a 3.2 GPA. Jacobo’s story stands as an example of a young man who was headed for seri- ous trouble as a freshman, and with the help of Reseda coach Alonso Arreola and teammate Giovannie Dixon, he learned the importance of Left Photo: Dayne Crist. Right Photo: Raul Jacobo of education and the opportunities beyond the field.■ Resda HS and College Hall of Famers John Huarte.

San Fernando Valley Scholarship Winners: Rafael Lopez, Birmingham HS; Jose Favela, Discovery Prep; Raul Jacobo, Reseda HS; Tyler Beaudette, Littlerock HS; Chance Cross, Simi Valley HS.

www.footballfoundation.org Page 4 April 3, 2008 The National Football Foundation’s Chapter Network Presented by Photos Border-to-Border and Coast-to-Coast

Toledo Chapter member Michael Wilcox, CEO of Wilcox Fi- At a Eastern Massachusetts Chapter Luncheon, former Brookline nancial and a Bowling Green State Board of Trustee member, re- HS coach Ed Schuntz (Left) takes a photo with his former player ceives the Champion of Life award from Merceria Ludgood, Mo- Jim Davis, the founder and CEO of New Balance Shoes, which bile County Commissioner, as part of the GMAC Bowl in January. supports four Play It Smart schools in the greater Boston area.

The NFF Touchdown Club of Houston recently held its Sterling Buddy Davidson, one of the founders of the NFF Auburn Chapter Bank Sportsmanship Luncheon, presented by the Fellowship of in 1999, received recognition last season for his 50-year career as Christian Athletes. Deer Park HS won the Sportsmanship Award, a member of the Auburn Athletics Department. He began his stint and Joe DeLamielleure, the Michigan State All-America and the with the Tigers in 1957 as a team manager, and he continued full- Buffalo Bills Pro Football Hall of Famer, was the featured speaker. time through his retirement last June as an Assistant Athletics Di- Pictured: Chapter leader Chris Vaughan, Touchdown Club Presi- rector. Davidson holds an amazing streak of attending 570-plus dent Chad Clay, Wade Hopkins of the Fellowship of Christian Auburn football games in a row, stretching back to the Nov. 2, Athletes, Deer Park HS captain Chad Littlejohn, Pamela Lovett 1957 Auburn-Florida game. In his retirement, he still plans re- of the Sterling Bank, and Dear Park HS coach Chris Massey. union celebrations and other administrative duties at Auburn.

At the Sterling Bank Sportsmanship Luncheon, presented by Joe DeLamielleure, the Michigan State All-America and the Buf- the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, NFF Touchdown Club of falo Bills Pro Football Hall of Famer, was the featured speaker at Houston Board Members: Fred Curry and College Football Hall the NFF Touchdown Club of Houston Sterling Bank Sportsman- of Fame inductee Chris Gilbert from the University of Texas. ship Luncheon, presented by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

www.footballfoundation.org Page 5 April 3, 2008 The National Football Foundation’s Chapter Network Presented by Photos Border-to-Border and Coast-to-Coast

S.M. McNaughton Chapter: Bob Brown, son of Charlie; Charlie The Orange County Chapter honored three charter members who Brown, 2008 Chapter Contribution to Amateur Football Awardee; Larry have served on its board of directors at various times since its Anderson, Neville HS player for Charlie before a seven year NFL ca- founding in 1970. L-R: Julian Ertz, Jim Beisner, Dick Slaughter. reer; and Bruce Hanks, former athletics director at Louisiana-Monroe. President Dick Whitney made the presentation from the podium.

Former Boilermaker greats Drew Brees, now the All-Pro New The Joe Tiller Chapter of Northwest Indiana Chapter helped stage Orleans Saints QB, and Rosevelt Colvin, a standout New Eng- a Punt, Pass & Kick Competition Amy Fread (left), a Purdue se- land Patriots LB, attended last year’s Joe Tiller/Northwest Indiana nior, records the action as an aspiring QB throws a pass. Fread Chapter banquet, which will be held again June 13 in West Lafay- was one of several people who represented the Joe Tiller Chap- ette, Ind. Last year Colvin accepted the Drew Brees Mental Tough- ter at the first annual competition, which was organized by West ness Award. Brees will be on hand again to present the award. Lafayette Flag Football, including NFF Chapter Board Member Brees and wife Brittany recently announced a gift of $2 million Jon Speaker. As one of the event’s sponsors, the chapter received to boost the academic side of the Purdue athletics program. Brees $1,300 from the organizers. The money will be used for scholar- was an NFF National Scholar-Athlete Award recipient in 2000. ships at the group’s spring banquet. (Photo Credit: Chris Horney.)

Toledo Chapter president Burt Rogers, University of Cincin- Purdue coach Joe Tiller accepts a plaque from chapter VP Tom Schott, nati head football coach Brian Kelly and chapter scholar-athlete declaring that the chapter has been renamed the “Joe Tiller Chapter Sean Cardone from Southview HS. A First Team All-Conference of Northwest Indiana.” Tiller played a key role in founding the chap- linebacker, Cardone also was a Second Team All-Ohio selection. ter four years ago, and he helped start the Wyoming Chapter in 1993.

www.footballfoundation.org Page 6 April 3, 2008 The National Football Foundation’s Chapter Network Presented by 2008 NFF Chapter Award Banquets Over the next few months the NFF Chapter Network will distribute nearly $1 million to the best and the brightest from the amateur gridiron at awards banquets nationwide. Covering more than 4,800 high schools and 400,000 student-athletes, the NFF stands as one of the leading voices in the promotion of leadership, sportsmanship, competitive zeal and the drive for academic excellence.

Chapter and (Banquet Location) Date Chapter and (Banquet Location) Date Auburn (Auburn, AL) Mar. 27, 2008 Bergen County (East Rutherford, NJ) May TBA, 2008 Arkansas (Fayetteville, AR) Apr. 12, 2008 South Jersey (Galloway, NJ) Mar. 2, 2008 Valley of the Sun (Phoenix, AZ) Feb. 23, 2008 Passaic County (North Hale, NJ) Mar. 6, 2008 Southern Arizona (Tucson, AZ) Mar. 2, 2008 Essex County (West Orange, NJ) Mar. 11, 2008 Northern California (San Francisco, CA) Feb. 21, 2008 Delaware Valley (Princeton, NJ) Mar. 16, 2008 Pasadena (Pasadena, CA) Mar. 3, 2008 Bill Denney (East Brunswick, NJ) Apr. 6, 2008 Orange County (Anaheim, CA) Mar. 3, 2008 Las Vegas (Las Vegas, NV) May 23, 2008 Sacramento Valley (Sacramento, CA) Mar. 5, 2008 Nassau County (Woodbury, NY) Dec. 2, 2007 San Fernando (Studio City, CA) Mar. 11, 2008 Suffolk County (Woodbury, NY) Dec. 9, 2007 Los Angeles (Los Angeles, CA) Mar. 14, 2008 Central New York (Verona, NY) Jan. 27, 2008 Riverside County (Corona, CA) Mar. 16, 2008 Westchester County (Rye, NY) Jan. 31, 2008 Walter J. Zable (San Diego, CA) Mar. 28, 2008 Rochester, (Rochester, NY) Apr. 27, 2008 San Bernardino (San Bernardino, CA) May 17, 2008 Southern Tier (Binghamton, NY) May 4, 2008 Colorado (Denver, CO) Feb. 18, 2008 Capital District (Albany, NY) May 12, 2008 Gene J. Casey (New Haven, CT) Mar. 30, 2008 Columbus (Columbus, OH) Feb. 11, 2008 Southeastern Conn. (Uncasville, CT) Apr. 6, 2008 Cincinnati (Cincinnati, OH) Feb, 21, 2008 Ralph DeSantis (Norwalk, CT) Apr. 10, 2008 Springfield (Springfield, OH) Mar. 5, 2008 Tampa (Tampa, FL) Apr. 23, 2008 Toledo (Toledo, OH) Mar. 10, 2008 Brian Piccolo (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) Apr. 20, 2008 Northeast Ohio (Cleveland, OH) Apr. 28, 2008 University of Georgia (Athens, GA) Apr. 21, 2008 Oklahoma (Oklahoma City, OK) Apr. 15, 2008 Hawaii (Honolulu, HI) Apr. 27, 2008 Portland (Portland, OR) Dec. 12, 2007 Iowa (Des Moines, IA) Mar. 29, 2008 Lehigh Valley (Northampton, PA) Feb. 10, 2008 Southern Idaho (Boise, ID) Apr. 26, 2008 Schuylkill/Pottsville (Pottsville, PA) Mar. 30, 2008 Chicago Metro (Chicago, IL) Feb. 13, 2008 Central Pennsylvania (State College, PA) Mar. 30, 2008 Central Indiana (Indianapolis, IN) Feb. 24, 2008 Philadelphia (Villanova, PA) May 7, 2008 Joe Tiller/Northwest Indiana (West Lafayette, IN) June 13, 2008 Rhode Island (W. Warwick, RI) May 6, 2008 S.M. McNaughton (Shreveport, LA) Feb. 21, 2008 Midlands (Columbia, S.C.) Apr. 22, 2008 Allstate Sugar Bowl (New Orleans, LA) Mar. 18, 2008 Middle Tennessee (Nashville, TN) Mar. 4, 2008 Western Mass. (Amherst, MA) Apr. 8, 2008 Tri-Cities (Johnson City, TN) Mar. 10, 2008 Joe Mewhiney (Marlborough, MA) May 4, 2008 East Tennessee (Knoxville, TN) Apr. 19, 2008 Jack Grinold (Boston, MA) May 12, 2008 Memphis (Memphis, TN) May 12, 2008 Baltimore (Baltimore, MD) Mar. 5, 2008 Houston TD Club (Houston, TX) Nov. 7, 2007 State of Maine (Brunswick, ME) May 21, 2008 Texas Tech (Lubbock, TX) Apr. 30, 2008 Michigan (Detroit, MI) Dec. 12, 2007 Greater Austin (Austin, TX) May 12, 2008 Twin Cities (Minneapolis, MN) Apr. 27, 2008 Utah (Orem, UT) Apr. 23, 2008 Tom Lombardo (St. Louis, MO) May 4, 2008 National Capital (Washington, D.C.) Apr. 6, 2008 Miss/Lou (Natchez, MS) Feb. 21, 2008 Commonwealth (Richmond, VA) Apr. 20, 2008 Montana (Helena, MT) Apr. 26, 2008 Vermont (Middleburry, VT) May 4, 2008 Nebraska (Lincoln, NE) Sept. TBA, 2008 King County (Seattle, WA) Dec. 16, 2007 Triangle (Raleigh, NC) Apr. 21, 2008 Clark County (Vancouver, WA) Jan. 16, 2008 Corrigan/Faircloth (Greensboro, NC) May 5, 2008 Tacoma (Tacoma, WA) May 4, 2008 Joe Yukica (Manchester, NH) May 6, 2008 Wisconsin (Madison, WI) Apr. 19, 2008 Morris County (Morristown, NJ) Apr. 21, 2008 Wyoming (Casper, WY) Mar. 15, 2008 www.footballfoundation.org Page 7 April 3, 2008 The National Football Foundation’s Chapter Network Presented by

26205 10/17/07 1:15 PM Page 1