NEW ORLEANS, LA - Jan. 6, 2003 - In front of over 1,500 coaches at the American Football Coaches Association Annual Convention, Bob Casciola, president of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, today presented the National Championship Trophies to the winning teams from Division I-AA, II, III, and NAIA.
"Each year at this convention, the National Football Foundation presents the championship trophies to the coaches that have taken their teams to the pinnacle of success," said Casicola. "It is fitting that we present the trophies in front of their peers, the very people who know the commitment, dedication, and effort that goes into winning a national championship."
NCAA Division I-AA - John F. Kennedy Trophy - Western Kentucky University - Coach Jack Harbaugh
Rebounding from a 2-3 start to the 2002 season, Western Kentucky won their final 10 games, including a definitive 34-14 victory over McNeese State to earn the Hilltoppers their first NCAA Division I-AA National Championship.
NCAA Division II - Asa S. Bushnell Trophy - Grand Valley State University - Coach Brian Kelly
Ranked first in the nation since the season's start, Grand Valley led the nation in scoring, total yards and won their first three playoff games by an average of 32 points. The season culminated in a dramatic title game against fellow undefeated Valdosta State on a last minute touchdown pass that lifted the Lakers to a 31-24 victory.
NCAA Division III - Amos Alonzo Stagg Trophy - Mount Union College - Coach Larry Kehres
One of football's elite programs, Mount Union represents one of the true dynasties in college sports. With their 48-7 victory over Trinity in the 2002 title game, the Purple Raiders have now claimed three straight undefeated national titles, 11 consecutive conference titles, and have won and unfathomable 96 of their last 97 games. Coach Larry Kehres' teams have won seven national titles in the past 10 years and have posted eight consecutive undefeated regular seasons. With a record of 192-17-3, Kehres currently holds the all-time best winning percentage in the history of college football at .913.
NAIA - Dwight D. Eisenhower Trophy - Carroll College (Montana) - Coach Mike Van Diest
With their 28-7 victory over two-time defending champion Georgetown College, the Saints recorded their first 12-win season as junior quarterback Rob Latrielle threw for 264 yards and three touchdowns in the 2002 title game.
The NFF also presents the MacArthur Trophy to the Division I-A Champion each year to the winner of the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) title game. (The National Football Foundation, as an impartial arbiter, tabulates and releases the weekly BCS standings during the college football season.) All the accomplishments of the championship teams will be highlighted during the coming year as part of the National Champions' Exhibit at the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind.
With 119 chapters and over 12,000 members nationwide, The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, a non-profit educational organization, runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship and athletic achievement in America's young people. NFF programs include the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind., Play It Smart, The NFF Center for Youth Development Through Sport at Springfield College (Mass.), the NFL-NFF Coaching Academy, and scholarships of nearly $1 million for College and High School Scholar-Athletes. Learn more at www.collegefootball.org.
