The National Football Foundation’s Chapter Network The National Football Foundation’s Chapter Network June 25, 2007 - Vol. 3, Issue 5 Building Leaders Through Football Miller’s New Role Chapter Play-By-Play President moves to the chairmanship of Valley of the Sun Chapter of Salpointe Catholic of the Commonwealth Chapter Tucson, accepted the Frank or the past ten years, the relentless leadership of Joe Northern Arizona head Kush Award as the state’s Miller has built the Commonwealth (Richmond) Chapter coach Jerome Souers headlined outstanding offensive line- into one of the busiest and most successful in the na- The Valley of the Sun (Phoenix, man, and Everson Griffen, F Ariz.) Chapter’s annual Champi- defensive end of Agua Fria tion, including an annual agenda of 18 events. Recently, Miller passed the chapter’s presidency to Herb Waters, who helped ons Luncheon. Souers addressed of Avondale, claimed the Miller found the chapter in 1996. the award-winning coaches Curley Culp Award as the “We would not be where we are today if it wasn’t for from each of the Arizona high state’s finest down defensive Joe. He put more into this than anybody,” said Waters. “This school division champions. lineman. chapter for Joe was 24/7. If he could not find help, he would do it himself. If Joe put his mind to do it, come or hell or high water, Joe Yukica Chapter he was going to get it done.” In 2002, Miller earned a National Chapter Leadership The Joe Yukica Award for his efforts. At the time, he spoke with Richmond (Manchester, N.H.) Chapter Times Dispatch columnist Jennings Culley about his devotion held its annual “Huddle”. to the sport and his roots playing lightweight football at Cornell Speakers included Plymouth University in the early ‘60s. State coach Paul Castonia “Football became my support group,” Miller told and St. Anselm’s College Jennings. “At the end of the day, I had people on the field – the coach Ken Knapczyk. The coaches and the players – who were friends That was the family chapter recognized New that provided the encouragement, the discipline to manage my Jerome Souers Hampshire’s five 2006 time. I learned the regimen of work and study.” high school championship Miller has worked hard to return the favor by build- Winslow High School teams and their coaches ing a legacy in the Richmond, Va. that will benefit young area coach Emil Nasser accepted and presented high school student-athletes for many years to come. The chapter covers 80 special recognition for his 60 football official Rick Zecha schools in four cities and 39 counties throughout Central Vir- years in the coaching profes- with its service achievement ginia. During the past decade, the chapter has staged 91 events, sion. At age 85, Nasser is the award. The chapter also Continued on page 2 oldest active coach in Arizona. held a moment of silence Kris O’Dowd, offensive tackle Continued on page 4 Blue Ribbon Year Book Member Discount NFF Members can To recieve the discount provide receive $3 off the 2007 edition of your membership number and the Blue Ribbon College Football “NFF07” as the code. Yearbook, a 384-page comprehen- sive guide to the upcoming college football season priced at $21.95 that has quickly become an indis- pensable guide for scouts, fans, coaches and play-by-play announc- ers, including the likes of ESPN’s Chris Fowler and Bill Curry. Shipping July 1, The NFF South Regional Coordinator Art Demmas pres- 2007 edition can be ordered now ents then-Commonwealth Chapter President Joe by calling toll-free 866-805- Miller an NFF Chapter Leadership Award in 2002. BALL. www.footballfoundation.org Page 1 June 25, 2007 The National Football Foundation’s Chapter Network Miller’s New Role Continued from page 1. distributed $51,000 in scholarships and honored 187 scholar- Two-Day Extravaganza athletes. Bulldog Style Chapter events include a scholar-athlete banquet and the Willie Lanier College Night, a program aimed at helping he University of Georgia (Athens) Chapter, led by Chapter Division II and Division III players connect with coaches from TPresident Mason McWhorter and Loran Smith, executive more than 26 colleges from seven different states. The East director of the UGA Bulldog Club, orchestrated another impres- Coast Bowl, which is entering its 6th year, pits East Coast All- sive two-day event, which culminated with their 22nd annual Stars from Division I-AA, Division II, and Division III against scholar-athlete banquet. one another in a North versus South match-up. The chapter The extravaganza began during a Sunday Shrimp hopes to have its first television contract this year for the bowl. Broil with only the chapter directors, celebrities, and sponsors Miller has also been the driving force behind the in attendance. At noon the next day, 150 golfers teed off at the NFF’s Play It Smart program at two local high schools, finally Athens Country Club for the chapter’s annual golf tournament. convincing the Richmond Public School system to fund the The tournament, raising the money for the chapter’s program after initial support from the national organization. scholarships, concluded with the scholar-athlete banquet at Miller emphasizes that he’s not leaving the chapter, and the country club. Celebrities included Hall of Famers Johnny he will continue to stay involved as the chairman and photogra- Majors (Tennessee), George Morris (Georgia Tech), Charlie pher. His passion also extends beyond his hometown, recently Trippi, (Georgia), former Georgia head coach Jim Donnan, helping a group from Washington, D.C. launch the National current Georgia Head Coach Mark Richt, and Oklahoma head Capital Chapter in Washington, D.C. and devoting time to help coach Bob Stoops, who was the featured speaker at the event. start a chapter in the Tidewater and Norfolk area of Virginia. Hall of Fame Coach Vince Dooley presented $1,000 “The number one driving force in my relationship scholarships to five high school players, while Coach Richt with the Foundation is that we’re doing it for the kids. That’s presented four UGA seniors (QB Joe Tereshinksi, DE Quentin why we’re doing 18 events a year. I am education driven,” said Moses, RB Stephen White and DB Joseph O’Keefe) with Billy Miller. “I’ll stay involved, and I am going to continue to offici- Payne Awards for graduating with a 3.0 GPA or better. ate games… In my next portion of my life, I want to travel teach The evening also included 5 post-graduate achievement and consult and see more of my kid’s families.” awards to former Georgia players, SEC Honor Roll awards to For Waters, who played football at Fort Union Military UGA graduating seniors, a Coca-Cola Helping Hand Award to and then a couple years for Hall of Fame Coach Bob “The Gen- Patty Wagner, the Contribution Award to Amateur Football eral” Neyland at Tennessee as an offensive and defensive end Award to Ray Broadway, executive secretary of the Georiga in 1949 and 1950, he’s excited, and he’ll bring his expertise as a Athletics Coaches Association, and the Distinguished American restaurateur to the chapter. Award to Bill Simpson, former UGA public relations director. ■ “Joe and I started the chapter ten years ago, and Joe See photo page 3. has done an awful lot. It’s like everything else it has to be a team effort. We are going to try a few things like having regular dinners with speakers to attract new members and to bring the group together more often.” ■ Bob Stoops Quentin Moses Mark Richt Key NFF Dates • July 19 – 21: Annual Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival, South Bend, Ind. • October 25: Draddy Trophy Finalist Announcement, Release • December 4: The 50th NFF Annual Awards Dinner, NYC • Jan. 2, 2008: National Hall of Fame Salute at the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, Glendale, Ariz. • Jan. 7, 2008: Allstate BCS National Championship Game – New Orleans, La. The East Coast Bowl has become a huge success, • Jan. 8, 2008: MacArthur Trophy Presentation - New spurring talk of a West Coast edition. Orleans, La. • Dec. 9, 2008: The 51st NFF Annual Awards Dinner, NYC www.footballfoundation.org Page 2 June 25, 2007 The National Football Foundation’s Chapter Network Delaware Valley Celebrates 45th Bulldog (Page 2) story , front row (L-R): High 500 people attended the 45th Annual Delaware Val- ley Chapter Banquet held at the Hyatt Regency in Princeton, School Scholar-Athletes Jarrod Ownes, Ryan NJ, honoring 28 high school and 2 college scholar-athletes. Per Boelter, Tipton Sholes, Joshua Sailors, Emmett tradition, all the dais guests wore tuxedos. Jones. Back Row: UGA Chapter President Mason A total of $35,000 in scholarships was distributed with McWhorter, UGA head coach March Richt, Okla- everyone receiving at least $1,000. Ryan Lupo from West homa head coach Bob Stoops, and Art Deammas. ■ Windsor-Plainsboro South high school received the top scholar- ship of $5,000. Other award winners included the Delaware Valley/ Pop Warner Little Scholar Award, the Contribution to Amateur A Force In Philadelphia Football Award, the Jack Millard Memorial Football Official Award, the Hank Johns Coach of the Year Award, the Contribu- Over 350 people made their way to the Connelly Center tion to Youth Football Award and the Robert Casciola Distin- on the Campus o Villanova University for the Philadelphia Chap- guished American Award given to Marc Edenson, President of ter’s Annual Awards Dinner, honoring the accomplishments of 36 Special Olympics in New Jersey. high school scholar-athletes, three Play It Smart participants and Eric Hamilton, chapter president and head coach of eight players from the collegiate ranks.