(Pictured above: 2012 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Ryan Nassib (Syracuse) was named the 2012 BIG EAST Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year.)
Kennesaw State Announces Addition of Football
On Feb. 14, Kennesaw State (Kennesaw, Ga.) announced the addition of football as a varsity sport as approved by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. 1994 College Football Hall of Fame inductee and legendary Georgia football coach Vince Dooley headed the football exploratory committee. The Owls are set to begin competition in 2015.
Hall of Famer Kenneth Dement Passes Away
Kenneth Dement, a 1998 College Football Hall of Fame inductee who played at Southeast Missouri State from 1951-54, passed away Feb. 15 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He was 80. Dement starred as a two-platoon tackle for the Redhawks, achieving NAIA All-American status. Known for his great speed and stamina, The New York Giants drafted him, but he joined the Marines instead.
After his Marine service, Dement entered law school at Washington University in St. Louis, graduating in 1961. He had a distinguished career as a trial lawyer in his hometown of Sikeston, Mo. Southeast Missouri named him to its board of regents, and he served from 1976-81, including a stint as board president. In 1989 Southeast Missouri retired No. 40, his jersey number. He earned induction into the Southeast Missouri Football Hall of Fame in 1998 and the Sikeston High School Hall of Fame in 1997. Click here to read more.
Rules Changes: Taking Critical Injuries Out Of The Game
Rogers Redding, the national coordinator of College Football Officiating, provides insights about rules changes and the mindset of college football referees. The CFO is the national professional organization for all football officials who work games at the collegiate level.
At its annual meeting in Indianapolis last week, the NCAA football rules committee took a major bold step to address the dangerous “targeting” fouls that are such a threat to the safety of the players. The committee unanimously recommended a rules change that would make automatic disqualification from the game a part of the penalty for these fouls. If approved, these new rules would take effect this coming 2013 season.
The two rules that will have this new disqualification component are Rule 9-1-3: targeting and initiating contact with the crown of the helmet, and Rule 9-1-4: targeting and initiating contact to the head or neck area of a defenseless opponent with the helmet, forearm, elbow or shoulder. The word “targeting” is intended to convey the idea that the tackler is not just trying to make a good, hard football play but in fact appears to be trying to inflict injury.
There can be no doubt that these are very dangerous plays that simply must not be a part of the game of football. Concussions and spinal injuries have become extremely serious concerns of everyone. By taking this action the rules committee is sending the signal that it has the safety of the student-athlete at the very top of its list of concerns about the game. The clear intent of these new rules is to change player behavior by threatening to take away playing time. Players want to play, which is why playing time is the “coin of the realm.” The rules committee wants to protect this game and to help reduce critical injuries with this message: play the game hard but stay away from these serious fouls.
The rules committee is recommending a number of other changes that would take effect in the fall of 2013, and I will take these up in subsequent columns. The recommended changes now go to the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel, which will vote on their final adoption in early March.
Click here for additional blogs by Rogers Redding and other key individuals with insights into college football.
Hall of Fame Sneak Preview
The College Football Hall of Fame came to the NFF offices in Irving, providing a sneak peek into the new College Football Hall of Fame set to open in the fall of 2014 in Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic Park. The presentation was led by lead designer Patrick Gallagher of Gallagher & Associates, Stephen Platenberg from Cortina Productions and the new College Football Hall of Fame President and CEO John Stephenson. Several NFF friends attended the presentation, including Hall of Famers Chad Hennings (Air Force) and Russell Maryland (Miami), College Football Playoff CEO Bill Hancock and COO Michael Kelly, Genesco Sports Vice President Todd Blouin and FWAA Executive Director Steve Richardson.
NCAA and NFL Coaches Academy
NFF President and CEO Steve Hatchell spoke at the 2013 NCAA and NFL Coaches Academy Feb. 17 in Charlotte, N.C. The program aims to help aspiring coaches break into and move up the ranks in football. Numerous current and former NFL stars took part in the program.
Pop Warner Summit
Pop Warner hosted a summit last Tuesday in Indianapolis to discuss the concussion issue with leaders from multiple national sport organizations. NFF COO Matthew Sign attended, joining representatives from the NFL, Schutt Sports, US Soccer, USA Hockey, US Lacrosse, the NCAA and USA Football.
The 2013 NFF Hampshire Honor Society Nominations
The National Football Foundation is now accepting nominations for the 2013 NFF Hampshire Honor Society. Last year more than 700 of our nation's top football players, from among all divisions of collegiate play, qualified for membership in the Honor Society. Celebrating the seventh year of this exciting initiative in 2013, don’t miss the chance to honor your school’s most outstanding senior student-athletes. Criteria are as follows:
· The nominee must have attained an undergraduate minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale;
· The nominee must be meeting all NCAA/NAIA-mandated progress towards degree requirements;
· The nominee must have completed his final year of eligibility in 2012 season or has already graduated and officially declared for the NFL Draft; and
· The nominee must have been a starter or significant contributor.
Please email Hillary Jeffries at hjeffries@footballfoundation.com to acquire nomination materials. Nominations are due by Friday, March 1, 2013.
Alabama Center Barrett Jones, the 2012 NFF Campbell Trophy winner, sat down with IMG Academy for a Q&A ahead of the NFL Combine Feb. 20-26.
College Football Hall of Famer Billy Cannon (LSU) has been hospitalized due to a stroke, but he is alert and resting, according to a release from LSU.
2012 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Ryan Nassib (Syracuse) was named the 2012 BIG EAST Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year while 207 players were selected to the 2012 BIG EAST All-Academic team.
The Black College Football Hall of Fame formally enshrined its 2013 class Feb. 16, headlined by College Hall of Fame coach John Merritt (Jackson State, Tennessee State), defensive end Elvin Bethea (N.C. A&T), safety Ken Houston (Prairie View A&M), wide receiver Charlie Joiner (Grambling), tight end Shannon Sharpe (Savannah State), tackle Jackie Slater (Jackson State), guard Larry Little (Bethune-Cookman), defensive end Ed “Too Tall” Jones (Tennessee State), quarterback Joe Gilliam, Jr. (Tennessee State) and quarterback Charlie “Choo Choo” Brackins (Prairie View A&M)…
2012 College Hall of Fame inductee R.C. Slocum (Texas A&M) has been named a recipient of the Horatio Alger Award, given to individuals who have overcome obstacles to become successful entrepreneurs or community leaders.
1999 College Hall of Fame inductee and legendary Nebraska coach Tom Osborne spoke to middle and high school students at a pep rally focused on sportsmanship and integrity…
College Football Hall of Famer and former Syracuse All-American running back Jim Brown received the Doak Walker Legends Award on Feb. 15. College Football Hall of Fame inductee Eddie LeBaron, a 1949 All-American at the University of the Pacific, received the Davey O'Brien Legends Award Feb. 18.
2007 NFF Campbell Trophy winner Dallas Griffin (Texas) volunteered at the NFF Houston Showcase staged by the NFF Touchdown Club of Houston Chapter on Feb. 9. Recruiters from more than 35 small colleges attended the event, providing 500 high school seniors a unique opportunity to earn academic and participation scholarships at the divisional level.
The NFF Scholar-Athlete of the Day, presented by Fidelity Investments, is a daily segment honoring the 2012 National Scholar-Athlete candidates. Today’s honoree is Alex Gillett of Eastern Michigan.
Building on the success of similar free events in Houston, the inaugural National Football Foundation (NFF) California Showcase will take place Feb. 23 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. The free event will allow academically eligible high school seniors to showcase their football skills and academic accomplishments in hopes of landing academic and participation scholarships from NCAA Division II, III and NAIA schools. The event has attracted phenomenal interest with more than 600 student-athletes and 35 colleges registered to attend. Terry Donahue, the College Football Hall of Fame coach from UCLA, has played a key role in organizing the event in conjunction with the NFF Newport Beach Chapter. Click here for more information.
The Seattle Chapter held its 47th Annual Scholar-Athlete Banquet on Feb. 10 with high school seniors Drew Thompson and Mason Friedline taking home the top honors… The NFF Columbus (Ohio) Chapter held its 52nd Scholar-Athlete Banquet on Feb. 12, honoring Chillicothe head coach Ron Hinton with its High School Coaches Award for Excellence, and celebrating 13 high school players and seven collegiate players… The Delaware Valley Chapter held its media day on Feb. 15 to announce the award winners for its 51st annual awards dinner, which will take place March 10 at the Princeton Hyatt Regency…
The NFF Chicago Metro Chapter honored Illinois State Supreme Court Justice Bob Thomas with its Distinguished American Award and distributed $24,000 to local student-athletes at its awards banquet Feb. 18 … The Colorado Chapter honored 11 high school players Feb. 18 banquet at the Marriott Denver West Hotel… The 53rd NFF Northern California Chapter banquet will be held on Feb. 21 at the San Francisco Marriott Hotel in Burlingame, honoring 13 local student-athletes with scholarships…
Ohio State special teams coach Kerry Coombs will deliver the keynote speech at the 46th NFF Cincinnati Chapter banquet Feb. 28 at the Westin Cincinnati… The NFF S.M. McNaughton (Shreveport, La.) Chapter will honor Advocare President and CEO Richard Wright with its Distinguished American Award, Northwestern State director of athletics Greg Burke with its Contribution to Amateur Football Award and will award ULM head coach Todd Berry the 2012 Outstanding Coach of the Year honor Feb. 28 at East Ridge Country Club... Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze will be the guest speaker at the Miss-Lou Chapter’s awards banquet at the Eola Hotel Feb. 28…
Penn State coach Bill O'Brien will deliver the keynote speech at NFF Lehigh Valley Chapter Scholar-Athlete Banquet March 3 at the Northampton Community Center… The NFF Greater Baltimore Chapter will hold their 50th annual banquet on March 6… The NFF NYC Chapter will host its “Elite Eleven” Dinner March 7... Penn State Head Coach Bill O’Brien and Temple Football Head Coach Matt Rhule are the featured speakers for the Central Pennsylvania Chapter’s 16th Anniversary Scholar-Athlete Awards Banquet March 17.
The NFF Tampa (Fla.) Chapter‘s 17th annual scholar-athlete banquet is April 10… Appalachian State head coach Scott Satterfield will deliver the keynote speech at the NFF Corrigan-Faircloth Chapter’s 22nd Annual Scholar-Athlete Banquet April 30 at Old Town Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, N.C. The top student-athlete award will be given in memory of Bradley Faircloth, who had a distinguished career with the Atlantic Coast Conference and passed away on August 25, 2012…
Longtime Conard High School head coach Rob Cersosimo will receive the Distinguished American Award from the NFF Northern Connecticut Chapter at its award dinner May 19 at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington, Conn.
Scheduling
The Mountain West announced its future conference football schedule structure, beginning with the 2013 season… Elon announced its 2013 schedule, featuring six home games… Delaware finalized its 2013 schedule complete with game times… Northern Iowa announced its 2013 slate, including an Aug. 31 contest at Iowa State… Arizona State has moved its 2013 season opener against Sacramento State to Thursday, Sept. 5… North Dakota State finalized its 2013 schedule with a Sept. 21 home game against Delaware State… The Big Ten will increase its conference games from eight games to nine or 10 beginning with either the 2016 or 2017 season.
Media
The ACC announced a new affiliate program that will provide immediate access to game highlights while the ACC Digital Network announced several strategic partnerships to distribute video content greatly expanding its reach and allowing fans to follow their teams through a multitude of platforms.
Marketing
Ohio State has updated its logo and seal.
Community Service
Penn State football players DaQuan Jones, Stephen Obeng-Agyapong, Brent Smith, John Urschel and Malcolm Willis visited the James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center in Altoona on Feb. 14… Wisconsin football players David Gilbert, Terrance Floyd, Sherard Cadogan and Michael Trotter were among several Badger athletes who took the plunge at the Special Olympics Wisconsin’s Polar Bear Plunge event… Western Michigan head coach P.J. Fleck and former WMU All-American Jason Babin also took the Polar plunge in Kalamazoo, helping raise money for Special Olympics Michigan…
A collection of New Brunswick, N.J., establishments will take part in a special March 3 charity event to raise money for the Eric LeGrand Believe Fund, which benefits the Rutgers defensive tackle who was paralyzed during the Scarlet Knights' 2010 game against Army. LeGrand posted a video of him moving his thumb as he continues to progress after being paralyzed while making a tackle in 2010… The Tennessee football team hosted its First Annual VOLympics draft, which broke up the team and will track athletes based on performance in the classroom, on the field, community service and team building events.
Facilities
SMU announced stadium upgrades including a new 233-seat Hall of Champions Club as well as seven new suites for the 2013 season… Arkansas has an estimated economic impact of $153.6 million and predicts it will generate an additional $239.7 million from planned construction activity, making it a vital part of the state’s overall economy.
Awards and Honors
Georgetown announced its 2013 Athletics Hall of Fame Inductees with football player Christopher Murphy leading the class…Utah State revealed its 2013 Athletics Hall of Fame Class led by football players Roy Shivers and Jim Turner… Arkansas State quarterback Ryan Aplin, Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson, Henderson State quarterback Kevin Rodgers and Central Arkansas linebacker Seth Allison were named finalists for the “Star of Tomorrow Award”… 148 student-athletes were named to the 2012 CAA Football All-Academic team…
Ben Roethlisberger and the late coach Terry Hoeppner headlined the 2013 Miami Ohio Athletics Hall of Fame class inducted on Feb. 9… Akron inducted its 38th Annual Sports Hall of Fame Class, led by football players Michael Andy and Russ Klaus, and administrator Ken MacDonald on Feb. 15… Temple football player Kevin Harvey will be inducted into the Gloucester County Sports Hall of Fame on March 1… Former Temple tight end football player Randy Grossman leads the 2013 class of the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and Museum that will be inducted on April 21…
On Feb. 12, six SEC students earned Excellence in Poster Presentation honors as part of the inaugural SEC Symposium at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta… The Kansas State football team was recognized by the Kansas Board of Regents on Feb. 13 for its 2012 Big 12 Championship season… The Cincinnati football team was honored for its 2012 accomplishments at the Ohio Statehouse on Feb. 13… On Feb. 24, Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin will be named an honorary World Heavyweight Champion by WWE.
Miscellaneous
The Big South Conference has added Monmouth University as an associate football member beginning in 2014… The NCAA reported that the new kickoff rules, designed to increase the safety of players, increased the number of touchbacks last year, from 1.13 per game in 2011 to 2.04 per game in 2012... The NCAA announced that FBS level football teams averaged 29.6 points per regular season game, the highest average since the collection of the statistic began in 1937… A new rule proposed by the NCAA Football Rules Committee, requiring a team to have either its jersey or pants contrast in color to the field. Among the other proposed changes are ejection for targeting a defenseless player and adding a 10-second runoff with under a minute remaining in the half when stopping the clock for an injury.
Grand Valley State led all NCAA Division II programs with an average attendance of 12,034 fans per game in 2012.. The Big 12 plans to increase the number of officials working games from seven to eight for a one-year trial during the 2013 season… Toledo defensive lineman Ben Pike has decided to give up his final year of eligibility to aid his fiancée Ashlee Barrett’s as she battles leukemia.
Obituaries
Former UCLA halfback and defensive back Calvin Rossi passed away on Jan. 23 at the age of 88… Joe Gross, former Naval Academy beat writer and sports editor for The Capital, passed away on Feb. 13 at the age of 72… Anderson University (Ind.) sophomore lineman Xavier Walton passed away Feb. 14… Kenneth Dement, a 1998 College Football Hall of Fame inductee from Southeast Missouri State, passed away Feb. 15 at the age of 80… Former Nebraska running back Ken Clark passed away on Feb. 16 at the age of 46.
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May 7, 2013 – Announcement of 2013 Football Bowl Subdivision Inductees into the College Football Hall of Fame – NASDAQ MarketSite, New York City
Oct. 3, 2013 – Announcement of 2013 Campbell Trophy Semifinalists – Dallas, Texas
Oct. 31, 2013 – Announcement of 2013 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class, presented by Fidelity Investments – Dallas, Texas
Dec. 10, 2013 – 56th NFF Annual Awards Dinner – Waldorf=Astoria Hotel, New York City
Dec. 10, 2013 – 24th Presentation of Campbell Trophy, endowed by HealthSouth, to the nation's top scholar-athlete at the Waldorf=Astoria – New York, N.Y.
Jan. 2, 2014 – National Hall of Fame Salute at the Allstate Sugar Bowl - New Orleans, La.
Jan. 7, 2014 – MacArthur Bowl Presentation to the BCS National Champion – Newport Beach, Calif.
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The 56th NFF Annual Awards Dinner will be held Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2013, at New York City's Waldorf=Astoria. For more ticket information, please contact NFF Director of External Relations Will Rudd at 1-800-486-1865 or via email at wrudd@footballfoundation.com.
Notes
The NFF would like to thank NFF correspondent Bo Carter for his contributions to this report.
NFF Chalktalk items are welcome, and should be submitted to news@footballfoundation.com.
