Ron Johnson, Chairman-Elect of The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF), announced that Jon F. Hanson, long-time NFF Chairman, real estate and business leader, will be the 2005 recipient of its Gold Medal.

“Jon and I have been good friends for a long time, and I know personally how much he cares about the NFF and the work it produces,” said Johnson. “He has been a true ambassador for the game, and his influence on our organization will be felt for years to come.”

The highest and most prestigious award bestowed by the Foundation, the Gold Medal has been awarded annually since 1958 and recognizes an outstanding American who has demonstrated integrity and honesty, achieved significant career success and has reflected the basic values of those who have excelled in amateur sport, particularly football. Hanson joins a list of past Gold Medallists, which includes seven U.S. Presidents and leaders of industry, military, and civic service.

“The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame has been blessed with Mr. Hanson’s leadership and hard work,” said NFF President Steve Hatchell. “Literally every aspect of the NFF’s work has been transformed and made stronger because of Jon’s guidance, while the Foundation’s stature and prestige has reached new heights. All of football can be thankful for his considerable interest and friendship.”

Over the past 45 years, Jon F. Hanson has distinguished himself as the chairman and founder of the Hampshire Companies. Under his leadership, Hampshire Companies has developed a real estate portfolio of more than $1 billion. Widely respected for his business skills, Hanson sits on various boards, including Prudential Financial Corp., Yankee Global Enterprises, CD&L, Pascack Community Bank and HealthSouth Corp.

Since 1994, Hanson has served as chairman of The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame and as a board member since 1986. He will step down in early 2006, turning over the chairmanship to long-time NFF Board Member Ron Johnson.

The Gold Medal will be presented to Hanson at The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame’s 48th Annual Awards Dinner, December 6, 2005, at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City. The Awards Dinner culminates the college football season and includes the induction of the 2005 Division I-A Class into the College Football Hall of Fame. In addition, 15 National Scholar-Athletes will be awarded with NFF postgraduate scholarships in the amount of $18,000 each.

THE GOLD MEDAL

The highest and most prestigious award bestowed by the Foundation, the Gold Medal has been awarded annually since 1958 and recognizes an outstanding American who has demonstrated integrity and honesty, achieved significant career success and has reflected the basic values of those who have excelled in amateur sport, particularly football.

JON F. HANSON
2005 Recipient
Business Leader, Real Estate Investor and
Chairman of The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame

Over the past 45 years, Jon F. Hanson has distinguished himself as the chairman and founder of the Hampshire Companies. Under his leadership, Hampshire Companies has developed a real estate portfolio of more than $1 billion. Widely respected for his business skills, Hanson sits on various boards, including Prudential Financial Corp., Yankee Global Enterprises, CD&L, Pascack Community Bank and HealthSouth Corp.

Since 1994, Hanson has served as chairman of The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame and as a board member since 1986. Under his guidance, the NFF has grown exponentially, seeing its membership balloon to 119 local chapters with over 12,000 individuals in 47 states. He has led the Foundation’s efforts in working with all of the key organizations that promote amateur football, including the NCAA, AFCA, NACDA, all of the conferences and bowl organizations, and the NFL and NFL Players Association. During his tenure, Hanson introduced two innovative programs – Play It Smart and the NFL/NFF Coaching Academy.

Having raised nearly $20 million since its inception in 1998, Play It Smart has quickly become one of the premier youth development programs in the country, and it currently helps more than 10,000 at-risk student-athletes each year translate their playing field successes into improved performance in the classroom and the community. The NFL/NFF Coaching Academy has also greatly enhanced the reach of the Foundation, annually educating more than 10,000 coaches in not only the areas of football skills and strategy but the game's character-building and social benefits. Hanson also oversaw the opening of the current College Football Hall of Fame facility in South Bend, Indiana. A $17 million state-of-the-art interactive facility for fans of all ages, the Hall annually attracts over 60,000 people and hosts more than 200 events each year.

In 1982, Governor Thomas H. Kean, named Hanson chairman and commissioner of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA), the state agency that oversees the 750-acre sports complex, which includes the Meadowlands Racetrack, Giants Stadium and the Continental Airlines Arena; he served eight years as chairman. During his tenure, the NJSEA experienced unparalleled growth, becoming home to the New Jersey Devils, the New York Jets, the Meadowlands Grand Prix Auto Race, and the Kickoff Classic.

Hanson holds a bachelor’s degree from Colgate University. He lives in Far Hills, N.J. with his wife Karen.

Past Gold Medal Recipients