The National Football Foundation’s Chapter Network Presented by
AUGUST 19, 2008 — VOL. 4, ISSUE 18 BUILDING LEADERS THROUGH FOOTBALL Joe Tiller Chapter of Northwest Indiana Distributes $24,000 Purdue’s Four Passing Leaders—Brees, Herrmann, Orton and Painter—Attend
rom the “Cradle of Quarterbacks” in West Lafayette, Ind., a running back, center, wide receiver and coach claimed Ftop honors at the 4th Annual NFF Joe Tiller Chapter of Northwest Indiana Awards Banquet June 13 at the Purdue Memorial Union Ballroom in front of a crowd of 465 supporters. Griffin Richeson, a running back and recent graduate of Lafayette Central Catholic HS, earned recognition as the NFF Joe Tiller Chapter Scholar-Athlete of the Year. A valedictorian and a four-year starter in football and baseball, Richeson will attend Butler University this fall. Twenty-three high schools seniors from a 15 county region accepted honors for their all-around excellence. Behind the outstanding leadership of chapter president Bart Burrell, executive director Jim Vruggink, and an active board of directors, the chapter distributed $24,000 this year in scholarships, honorariums and grants. The chapter’s four-year Chicago Bears quarterback Kyle Orton and Purdue head coach Joe Tiller sign autographs prior to the scholarship total now stands at $68,000. chapter event. The top four quarterbacks in Purdue passing history attended, including 2000 NFF National Scholar-Athlete and current New Orleans Saint QB Drew Brees; 1977-80 Boilermaker QB Mark Herrmann; current Chicago Bears QB Kyle Orton (2005-07) and current Purdue signal caller Curtis Painter. Former Boilermaker center Nick Hardwick received the Drew Brees Mental Toughness Award after providing snaps for Orton (2004) at Purdue and Brees (2004-05) during their shared seasons with the San Diego Chargers. Bernie Flowers, a 1952 Purdue All-America receiver who played briefly in the CFL and NFL before becoming a successful insurance salesman, accepted the chapter’s Distinguished American Award. Former Crown Point, Highland and Attica HS football coach Brad Purdue great Drew Brees with Distinguished Ameri- Smith claimed the Outstanding Contribution to Amateur Football can Award winner Bernie Flowers and Brees Mental Top scholar-athlete recipient Griffin Richeson with Award. Toughness Award recipient Nick Hardwick. New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees.
All-American Mark Herrmann (No. 9) and current chapter president Bart Burrell (No. 87) teamed together at Carmel High School and at Purdue during the late 70’s and early 80’s. 2008 NFF chapter scholar-athletes with Purdue legend Drew Brees in the center.
www.footballfoundation.org Page 1 August 19, 2008 The National Football Foundation’s Chapter Network Presented by State of Maine Chapter Recognizes 15 Scholar-Athletes Orthopedic Surgeon Douglas Brown Claims the Chapter’s Distinguished American Award
he NFF State of Maine Chapter held its 21st TAnnual Scholar-Athlete Banquet May 21 inside the Thonre Dining Hall on the beautiful campus of Bowdoin College in Brunswick. The chapter recognized 15 of the best and brightest student- athletes from around the state, The scenic Bowdoin College campus was the site of awarding a total of $3,000 in the chapter’s 21st annual banquet. scholarships. Dr. Douglas Brown received the chapter’s Distinguished American Award while Harold “Tank” Violette claimed the Contribution to Amateur Football Award. The senior founding member of the Orthopedic Associates of Portland, Maine,
Brown has held the title of team physician for the U.S. Olympic Cony HS Athletic Director Paul Vachon; Portland HS Play It Smart Academic Coach Audrey McKenzie; Committee and the U.S. National Women’s and Men’s Soccer Distinghished American Award recipient Dr. Doug Brown; Portland HS coach Mike Bailey; and Matt Israelson. teams. His service includes the Olympics, the World Cup, and U.S. Figure Skating. He currently serves as the team physician for Portland HS and as an orthopedic consultant for Bowdoin College and the University of Maine. Violette, one of Maine’s premier football and hockey coaches, spent 39 years as a high school teacher, coach and athletics administrator. Coach Kevin Cooper, who led his Bonny Eagle HS squad to the three State Championships in the past four seasons, took home the chapter’s 2007 Coach of the Year Award, and Erwin Clements, a high school and college official, received the Football Official Recognition Award. David Philbrook, a two-year starter at wide receiver for Bates College, accepted the chapter’s Collegiate Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award. The award marked a return trip to the chapter event for the senior, who earned recognition in 2004 as a high school scholar-athlete from Portland HS. He becomes the first person in the chapter’s 21-year history to win both awards. The All- NESCAC Academic Team member graduated with a 3.67 GPA High School Coach of the Year Award recipient Kevin Cooper (second from the right) with his wife while majoring in economics. Amanda on his left and his mother Lois and father Pete, who was a longtime coach at Lawrence HS. Longtime president, and current NFF Northeast Region Coordinator Howie Vandersea, continues to successfully lead the chapter to new heights.
Bates College’s David Philbrook is the only student to earn high school and college recognition from the Maine Chapter Scholar-Athletes. chapter. www.footballfoundation.org August 19, 2008 Page 2 The National Football Foundation’s Chapter Network Presented by Historic Northern Connecticut Chapter Stages 42nd Annual Banquet Mike Golic Sr. and UConn Coach Randy Edsall Among Honorees
he NFF Northern Connecticut Chapter held their 42nd Annual Scholar-Athlete Banquet at the picturesque TManchester Country Club May 18. Nearly 200 people filled the renowned country club to honor 11 high school seniors for their football performance, academic achievement and outstanding leadership qualities. The evening’s honorees included former Notre Dame Captain and NFL lineman Bob Golic, Sr., who currently co-hosts ESPN’s popular Mike & Mike Morning Show, and his son Mike Golic, Jr. The chapter presented the elder Golic with its Distinguished American Award while Golic, Jr., headlined the scholar-athlete class. A 6’5”, 260-pound lineman, the younger Golic will follow in his fathers and his Uncle Bob’s footsteps by playing football this fall at Notre Dame. The architect of UConn football’s recent success, head coach Current chapter president Bob Facey and UConn Coach Randy Edsall and chapter president Randy Edsall accepted a special recognition award from president-elect Dr. Gil Boisoneau. Bob Facey. the chapter at the event. Posting a 41-31 during Edsall’s six seasons, the Huskies produced an 8-4 record and a Motor City Bowl appearance during the program’s first year in the Big East in 2004. Last year, they tallied a 9-4 mark and a berth in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. At the event, Patrick Cox, who led his Tolland HS squad to the Class SS State Championship game in 2007, claimed the chapter’s Coach of the Year Award. RHAM HS head coach Greg Cordova, who has launched several youth and high school football programs, took home the Advancement of Youth Football Award. Jim Dumais, a high school football official in the state for 33 years, accepted the Outstanding Football Official Award. The chapter awarded three scholarships, totaling $2,000. The chapter continues to enjoy great success under leadership that includes current president Bob Facey and 2009 president- elect Dr. Gil Boisoneau.
Distinguished American Award winner Mike Golic, Sr. with his son, scholar-athlete Mike Jr.
Northern CT Chapter major award winners included Patrick Cox, Coach of the Year; Jim Dumais, Football Official Award; Randy Edsall, Chapter Award; Mike Golic, Sr., Distinguished American Award; Greg Cardova, Youth Football Award and chapter president Bob Facey. Northern CT Chapter 2008 Scholar-Athletes
www.footballfoundation.org Page 3 August 19, 2008 The National Football Foundation’s Chapter Network Presented by Las Vegas Chapter Renamed in Honor of the Late Bill Ireland Founding Chapter President Served as Head Coach at UNLV and Nevada-Reno
true pioneer, the late Bill Ireland established A himself as a trailblazer throughout the state of Nevada. UNLV’s first head football coach, he also founded then NFF Las Vegas Chapter, becoming its first president. Earlier in his career, he served as the head football coach at the University of Nevada – Reno, and then later in his career he took the reins of UNLV sports as the school’s athletics director before passing away in August 2007. For these reasons, and many more, the Las Vegas Chapter The Las Vegas Chapter is now officially named in Chapter President Branan Allison (left) welcomes Jeff Horton, St. Louis Rams assistant; Rob Dondero, officially renamed itself in honor honor of the late Bill Ireland. Executive VP of R&R Partners; Don Logan, President of the Las Vegas 51’s Baseball Club, Rossi Ralenkotter, LVCVA President; and UNLV head coach Mike Sanford. of Coach Ireland at their 23rd Annual Scholar-Athlete banquet May 29 at the Canyon Gate Country Club before a crowd of 245 people. During the banquet, the chapter featured the accomplishments of 17 high school scholar-athletes who compiled a 3.8 cumulative GPA while distributing a total of $15,000 in scholarships. Ireland’s widow, Jeanne, accepted one of two Distinguished American Awards presented at the event. Cliff Frazier, the former Basic High School football coach accepted the additional Distinguished American Award that was presented. Following a highly-successful 24-year career, Frazier announced his retirement after the 2007 season. Mike Sanford, UNLV’s head football coach, and Jeff Horton, who is currently a special assistant on offense for the St. Louis Rams, attended the event. The chapter continues to excel due to the fine leadership of Chapter scholar-athletes along with UNLV head coach Mike Sanford (middle, front row). President Branan Allison and board members Kirk Schulz, Rex Bell, Bob Blum, Rick Brase, Terry Cottle and Mario Monaco.
Scholar-Athlete Matt Burge of Del Sol HS breaks Kolton Villa, a scholar-athlete from Silverado HS through for a score. runs for daylight. St. Louis Rams assistant Jeff Horton (left) presents the Distinguished American Award to Coach Cliff Frazier. www.footballfoundation.org August 19, 2008 Page 4
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