Volume 4, Issue 8

The National Football Foundation’s Chapter Network
The National
Football Foundation’s
Presented by
Chapter Network
Presented by
April 8, 2008 - Vol. 4, Issue 8
Building Leaders Through Football
Pasadena Scholar-Athletes Boast a 3.7 GPA Average
W
The Tournament of Roses Presents Inaugural Chapter Scholarship Award
ith the historic Rose Bowl in the background, the
Pasadena/San Gabriel Valley Chapter held its 39th Annual Banquet at the Brookside Country Club March 3. More
than 270 traveled to the historic club next to the stadium to
honor 24 scholar-athletes.
Compiling a cumulative 3.7 GPA, the scholar-athletes
claimed a total of $4,000 in scholarships, and Dave Davis, a
member of the NFF national board and a prominent Southern
California business leader, delivered the keynote address.
The Tournament of Roses started a new scholarship
at the event, and Brian Kimball of La Canada HS claimed
the first annual Tournament of Roses President’s Scholarship Award. Davis, also a past president of the Tournament of
Roses, was joined by Rose Bowl Media Director Gina Chappin
in making the presentation.
Coaches R. J. Hernandez of La Puente HS and Erick Escamilla from South El Monte HS claimed Coach of the
Year Awards. Bill Alford, the director of academics for the
Orange Country Junior All-American Football Conference,
accepted the Contribution to Amateur Football Award while
College Football Hall of Famer Contribution to Amateur Football
Cynthia Rosedale, the director of special events for the PasaErnie Smith
Honoree Bill Alford
dena Senior Center, received the Community Service Award.
Chapter member Jim Sturgeon received the Ernie
Smith Chapter Service Award, named in honor of the late
USC All-America tackle who helped found the chapter in
1969 and earned induction into the College Football Hall of
Fame in 1970.
College Football Hall of Fame inductee from Occidental Bill Redell attended, and Knox Wasley, a California
State University - Los Angeles professor, emceed. Chapter
Scholar-Athlete DavidAllen of South
Coach of the Year Honoree
President Jim Brownfield continues to lead the chapter and
Pasadena HS is headed to Tulane.
R.J. Hernandez
has held its top position since 1979. ■
Dave Davis (left) and Jim Brownfield (right) present Jonathan
Troast of South Pasadena HS with his scholar-athlete award.
www.footballfoundation.org
Members of the Pasadena/San Gabriel Valley Chapter take a
moment from their busy agenda for a group photo.
Page 1
April 8, 2008
The National Football Foundation’s Chapter Network
Presented by
Central Pennsylvania Honors 38 and Distributes $10,000
A
Chapter’s All-Time Total Reaches $105,000
n enthusiastic crowd of 350 people turned out to
honor 35 high school student-athletes and three college football players at the Central Pennsylvania Chapter’s
11th Annual Awards Banquet on the Penn State campus
March 30.
The chapter awarded 10 scholarships of $1,000
each for a total $10,000. Covering seven counties (Blair,
Cambria, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Huntingdon, Jefferson, Juniata, Lycoming, and Mifflin counties), the chapter
has distributed $105,000 since its inception.
The three area college seniors claimed recognition: Penn State safety Jason Ganter; Lock Haven linebacker Corey Gildea; and Juniata defensive lineman Tyler
Payne. Ganter continued the family tradition, building on
the legacy of his oldest brother Jonathan, who was recognized in the chapter’s inaugural 1998 class. Their father
Fran Ganter, a chapter member, currently serves as the
Penn State Associate Athletics Director for Football.
The chapter has secured sponsors for five of its
scholarships: Kelly and John Freeman of Philipsburg
(since the first banquet); DelGrosso Foods Inc. of Tipton
(for the last eight years); Friends of Scholar-Athletes of
Lewistown; Gardners Candies of Tyrone; and Friends of
Scholar-Athletes of Centre County.
John Greene, a former Penn State running back
and the current executive director of the Big 33 Football
Foundation, gave the keynote address. Kellie Goodman,
the former WTAJ-TV sportscaster now with the Blair
County Convention Bureau, emceed while it was announced that John Freeman will succeed Jack Bailey in
September as chapter president. ■
2008 Scholarship Recipients: Front Row: Ricky Shenkle,
Dubois HS; Brad Nocek, Hollidaysburg HS; Jordan Freezer,
Williamsport HS; Caleb Parson, Juniata HS; James Sommer,
Bishop Guilfoyle HS. Back Row: Tyler Hoffman, Bald Eagle
HS; Adam Weaver, Indian Valley HS; Andrew Sharp, State College HS; Micah Dillen, Altoona HS; John Franco, Tyrone HS.
www.footballfoundation.org
Left Photo: Lock Haven Scholar-Athlete Corey Gildea, No. 47.
Right Photo: Tyrone HS Scholar-Athlete John Franco.
Left: Penn State Offensive line coach Dick Anderson announces Jason Ganter
as the winner of Penn State’s college award. Right his dad Fran Ganter, the
Penn State Associate AD, accepts the award on Jason’s behalf.
Former Penn State RB John Greene with Juniata College Scholar-Athlete Tyler Payne and Juniata head coach Darrell Alt.
Scholarship Sponsors: Jim Schnell, representing Friends of
Scholar-Athletes of Lewistown; Sam Phillips, president of
Gardners Candies; Carl Krider Jr. representing the DelGrosso
family; Charles Brown, representing Friends of Scholar-Athletes
of Centre County; and Kelly and John Freeman, who has sponsored a scholarship since the chapter’s inaugural class.
Page 2
April 8, 2008
The National Football Foundation’s Chapter Network
Presented by
470 Years of Combined Service in Wyoming
A
Love of the Game Defines Wyoming Honorees
record crowd of 375 attended the 14th Annual
Wyoming Chapter Banquet March, honoring an elite
group of individuals with a combined 470 years of service
to football or an astonishing 52 years per honoree.
Sharing the stage with 12 high school and two
collegiate scholar-athletes, these avid supporters simply
did it for the “love of the game.” The honorees include:
Contribution to Amateur Football Award Winners
Weldon Borgaard for 50 seasons as the PA announcer at
Cheyenne HS games; Ernie Rotellini for his 60 years of
working the first down chains at Sheridan HS; and Dr. Beach
Graham for providing free physicals for the past 50 seasons.
Football Official Career Achievement Award Honoree Mike Varney, forced to retire this year because of an
injury, for 46 years of officiating. Football Coach Career
Achievement Honoree Jerry Fuller for a 30-year career
at Niobrara County HS and a 173-81 record.
Greatest Wyoming High School Football Fan
Honorees J.W. (Slim) Smith, who passed away in December, missing only a handful of high school football
games for an amazing 68 consecutive seasons and Jack
Allen of Laramie who attended high school games for 41
straight years and 246 University of Wyoming games.
Greatest Wyoming Football Fan Honorees Lois
Namtvedt and her son Conrad, who attended almost every
Cowboy game for the past 59 years (Conrad since his dad’s
passing in 1995), and Robert Bath of Laramie, who has witnessed more than 500 Cowboy games over the past 68 years.
Led by chapter president Mike Schutte, the
chapter distributed at total of $20,000 in scholarships at
the event to a group with an average GPA of 3.87. Rob
Johnson of Tongue River HS received the chapter’s top
scholar-athlete award. Wyoming coach Joe Glenn addressed the crowd, and Dr. Justin Hopkin, a previous
chapter Top Scholar-Athlete and NFF Western Regional
Scholar-Athlete Winner, gave the keynote address. ■
The 2008 Wyoming Scholarship Finalists who were selected
from 92 nominees throughout the state.
www.footballfoundation.org
Left: Mike Schutte presenting a Career Achievement Award to coach Jerry
Fullmer. Right: Official Mike Varney accepts his award from Dave Williams.
Left: Rob Johnson of Tongue River HS claimed the Chapter’s
top scholar-athlete award. Right: Johnson, No. 15, moves in for
a tackle during the 3A Wyoming State Championship game.
Wyoming Coaches Joe Glenn and Bryan Applewhite present Matthew
Sebade, a lineman at Lander Valley High School, with a scholarship.
Wyoming Coach Joe Glenn, who is a big supporter of the NFF
Chapter, has led the Cowboys during the past five seasons.
Page 3
April 8, 2008
The National Football Foundation’s Chapter Network
Presented by
Young War Veteran Provides Words of Inspiration
S
Riverside Chapter celebrates 5th while distributing $10,500
cott Eden, a 2000 NFF High School Scholar-Athlete
from Temescal Canyon HS in Southern California,
gave a keynote address March 16 that few will ever
forget at the 5th Annual Riverside Banquet.
Having accepted a nomination to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Eden played football for the
Black Knights before accepting an assignment in Iraq.
The recipient of multiple awards for his service, including the Bronze Star, Eden just returned from a 15 month
tour, and he spoke eloquently to the chapter’s 22 high
school scholar-athletes about his experiences, inspiring
the entire crowd of 380 people.
Retired high school athletics administrator Stan
Ford accepted the chapter’s Contribution to Amateur
Football Award. Ford served several decades as athletics
director and assistant football coach at Temecula Valley
HS and sat on the board of directors of the Southern
Region of the CIF executive committee.
Local businessman Robert Salgado, the Tribal
Chairman of the Soboba Indians, has provided significant
financial support to the chapter since its inception, and
this year the chapter distributed $10,500 in scholarships.
John Jackson and Lindsay Soto, both of Fox
Sports Net, shared the master of ceremony responsibilities. Jackson, a record-setting wide receiver for the
USC Trojans, was honored by the national organization
in 1989, claiming a prestigious NFF National ScholarAthlete Award in New York City.
The strong leadership of founding chapter president Bob Burt, who now serves as the chapter’s executive
director, current president Wally Clark and an active board
of directors continue to play the key role in the chapter’s
growth. Bob’s wife Sarah served as banquet chairperson. ■
The 2008 Riverside Chapter honored 22 players as scholar-athletes for their achievements in high school.
www.footballfoundation.org
Co-master of ceremonies from Fox Sports Net Lindsay Soto and
John Jackson. Right photo: Jackson was a 1989 NFF National
Scholar-Athlete who played wide receiver at USC.
Left:: Contribution to Amateur Football Award Winner Stan Ford.
Right: Scholar-Athlete Jonathan Warzeka, No. 4 of Temescal Canyon HS, will attend the U.S. Air Force Academy and play football.
Richard Kline, General Manager of the Soboba Indian Tribe, presents a
$1,000 scholarship to scholar-athlete Parker Morris of Lakeside HS.
Chapter executive director Bob Burt with former chapter
scholar-athlete and guest speaker, First Lieutenant Scott Eden.
Page 4
April 8, 2008
The National Football Foundation’s Chapter Network
Presented by
Iowa Chapter Blankets the State’s 375 High Schools
Photo credit: Thomas Knapp
Left: Scott Frost, who played QB at Nebraska and now coaches at
Northern Iowa attended with other VIPs, including Hall of Famer
Bump Elliott (right), who also served as the Iowa Athletics Director.
Photo credit: Thomas Knapp
Jeff Getting (third from left), the top scholar-athlete from class 4A,
along with his brother Johnny, mother Tammy and father Curtis.
Iowa Chapter President Rod Rhoads (left) presents the Outstanding
Coach Award to Dick Tighe (right) from Fort Dodge St Edmond HS.
Photo credit: Chris Donahue, Iowa
overing the 375 football playing high schools in the state,
the Iowa Chapter selected the 15 best scholar-athletes,
recognizing them at their 11th annual awards banquet March 29
at the West Des Moines Marriott.
Kirk Ferentz, one of the most successful coaches in
the college game and currently in his 10th season at the helm of
the Iowa Hawkeye program, gave the keynote address. Ferentz’s streak of six straight bowl games (2001-06) stands second
in school history, only eclipsed by the eight consecutive bowl
appearances of College Football Hall of Fame Coach Hayden
Fry.
Representatives from most of the state’s colleges helped
comprise the 225 people in attendance. Coaches included Drake
first year head coach Chris Creighton, Iowa State defensive
coordinator Wayne Bolt and Northern Iowa linebackers coach
Scott Frost, who is perhaps best remembered for quarterbacking the Nebraska Cornhuskers to a 1997 undefeated season and
the national championship.
The chapter awarded $15,000 to the scholar-athletes,
who racked up a cumulative 3.8 GPA. Jeff Getting of Waukee
HS claimed the Class 4A Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award,
following his brother Tim who received the same award three
years ago.
Dick Tighe, the coach at St. Edmond HS in Fort
Dodge and the winningest coach in the history of Iowa high
school football, accepted the Outstanding Coach of the Year
Award. Ed Bowers won the Distinguished Iowan Award at age
86 for his nearly 30 years of coaching at Grinnell College.
“Bump” Elliott, a 1989 inductee into the College
Football Hall of Fame as a player from Purdue and Michigan,
attended the event. Chapter president Rod Rhoads, chairman
Gary Fletcher and the entire chapter board of directors continue
to connect football at every level throughout the entire state. ■
Photo Credit: Nebraska Media
C
Numerous VIPS attend the event, including keynote speaker Kirk Ferentz
Photo credit: Thomas Knapp
The Iowa Chapter Scholarship Recipients. The chapter honored
15 scholar-athletes and distributed $15,000 to nine individuals.
www.footballfoundation.org
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz, one of the most successful coaches in
the college game, gave the keynote address.
Page 5
April 8, 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 6
April 8, 2008
The National Football Foundation’s Chapter Network
Presented by
26205
10/17/07
1:15 PM
www.footballfoundation.org
Page 1
Page 7
April 8, 2008