(Pictured: The NFF hosted the annual winter meeting of  National Association of Collegiate Woman Athletics Administrators Jan. 29-30 at NFF headquarters in Irving, Texas.)


203 Days Until the Opening of the New College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta on Aug. 25

NACWAA Holds Winter Meetings at NFF Headquarters

The National Football Foundation (NFF) hosted the annual winter meeting of the National Association of Collegiate Woman Athletics Administrators (NACWAA) Jan. 29-30 at NFF headquarters in Irving, Texas. The meetings were led by NACWAA President and University of Texas Women’s Athletics Director Chris Plonsky (a member of the NFF Board since 2002) and NACWAA Chief Executive Officer Patti Phillips.

NACWAA conducts a variety of initiatives to enhance the development of women in administrative positions in intercollegiate athletics. NACWAA membership is open to all (men and women) of any job type, level and industry. NACWAA numerous events and activities include its national convention; scholarships to aid in career development; operating a mentoring program that matches accomplished veteran administrators with next generation of leaders; creating networking opportunities; serving as an advocate with the NCAA and other appropriate governing bodies; and fostering a range of opportunities for career development and advancement. Learn more at www.nacwaa.org.

NFF High School Showcases

The NFF is partnering to host two Showcases, one in Houston and one in California, in February for high school seniors who have not signed with a Division I school. The Houston Showcase, run by the NFF Touchdown Club of Houston, is on Feb. 15 at the Houston Texans’ practice facility. The California Showcase, organized by College Football Hall of Fame coach Terry Donahue (UCLA) and the NFF Newport Beach Chapter, is on Feb. 22 at the Stub Hub Center in Carson, Calif.

The events are free, with both locations having between 30-40 colleges from Divisions II and III and the NAIA. Those wishing to attend the Houston Showcase should register here. Those wishing to attend the California Showcase should register here. Student-athletes will go through a series of position specific workouts and can sign with colleges on the spot.

Last year’s showcases provided more than 1,000 high school seniors the opportunity to gain a slice of more than $10 million in college scholarships. In 2013, organizers of the Houston Showcase estimated $8 million in annual scholarships were secured by participants, while the California Showcase estimated that between 50 and 100 of the players would gain some financial aid, totaling between $2 to $5 million.

Students who wish to participate in the Showcases must be graduating high school seniors and have not accepted a scholarship offer from a Division I football program. They must also meet one of the three following requirements:

·         Have a 2.5 GPA or higher (4 point scale, unweighted)

·         Be in the top half of their graduating class

·         Have an SAT score of 1000 (math and verbal only) or higher, or ACT of 18 or higher

NFF at the Super Bowl

NFF Hampshire Honor Society members Russell Wilson (Wisconsin, 2012) and Steven Hauschka (North Carolina State, 2008) led the Seattle Seahawks to a win in the Super Bowl XLVIII. Seahawks coach Pete Carroll became just the third coach to win a college national championship and a Super Bowl, joining College Football Hall of Famers Jimmy Johnson (Miami, Fla., in 1987, Dallas Cowboys in 1992 and 1993) and Barry Switzer (Oklahoma in 1974, 1975 and 1985, Dallas Cowboys in 1995). Yesterday's Super Bowl was the most-watched television show in U.S. history, with an average audience of 111.5 million people.

Former National Scholar-Athletes Eric Decker (Minnesota, 2009) and Jacob Tamme (Kentucky, 2007), 1997 Campbell Trophy winner Peyton Manning (Tennessee) and 2010 Hampshire Honor Society member Zane Beadles (Utah, 2010) played for the Denver Broncos.

The NFF was well represented off the field as well. Actor and 1973 National Scholar-Athlete Mark Harmon (UCLA) was featured in NFL Films’ “Football America: Our Stories” before the game. College Football Hall of Famers Terry Bradshaw (Louisiana Tech) and Coach Jimmy Johnson (Miami [Fla.], Oklahoma State) were analysts on the FOX pre- and postgame shows while College Football Hall of Fame quarterback and NFF Board Member Troy Aikman (UCLA) called the action with partner Joe Buck. College Football Hall of Famer John Elway (Stanford) was featured in the pregame show discussing building the Broncos into a championship contender and FOX also aired a feature on legendary coach Vince Lombardi, the recipient of the 1970 NFF Distinguished American Award. 

FOX Sports paid tribute to America’s active military troops and veterans with a reading of the Declaration of Independence, a Super Bowl tradition that began in 2002. New England Patriots owner and NFF Board Member Robert Kraft and College Football Hall of Famers Chuck Bednarik (Pennsylvania), Art Monk (Syracuse), Art Shell (Maryland Eastern Shore) and Thurman Thomas (Oklahoma State) took part in the reading. During Super Bowl week, National Scholar-Athletes and current New Orleans Saints Jonathan Vilma (Miami, [Fla.], 2003) and Drew Brees (Purdue, 2000) appeared on FOX Sports 1’s “FOX Super Bowl Daily.”

NFF at the NFL Honors

The “3rd Annual NFL Honors” show took place in New York City at Radio City Music Hall on Feb. 1. College Football Hall of Famer Ray Guy (Southern Mississippi) and 1994 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Derrick Brooks (Florida State) were announced as members of the 2014 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class. William V. Campbell Trophy winner Peyton Manning (Tennessee, 1997) was named the NFL’s MVP and Offensive Player of the Year. Hall of Famer John Elway (Stanford) accepted the Offensive Player of the Year award on Manning’s behalf, while his father, NFF Chairman and Hall of Famer Archie Manning (Mississippi), picked up the MVP award.

Among the notable attendees were 2013 NFF Gold Medal winner and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and College Football Hall of Famers Jim Brown (Syracuse), Tim Brown (Notre Dame), Kenny Easley (UCLA), Franco Harris (Penn State) Randall McDaniel (Arizona State), Jay Novacek (Wyoming), Orlando Pace (Ohio State), Jerry Rice (Mississippi Valley State), Barry Sanders (Oklahoma State), Deion Sanders (Florida State), Bruce Smith (Virginia Tech), Emmitt Smith (Florida), Steve Young (BYU) and Jack Youngblood (Florida). Also in attendance were 1999 William V. Campbell Trophy winner Chad Pennington and National Scholar-Athletes Drew Brees (Purdue, 2000) and Eli Manning (Mississippi, 2003).

NFF Accepting Nominations for the 2014 NFF Hampshire Honor Society

The National Football Foundation is currently accepting nominations for the 2014 NFF Hampshire Honor Society. Celebrating the eighth year of this initiative, The Hampshire Honor Society is a great way to recognize schools’ best scholar-athletes who have shown passion on the field and in the classroom.

Qualifications for membership in the Society include:

- Student-athlete will have just completed his final year of playing eligibility or has already graduated and officially declared for the NFL Draft;
- Student-athlete was a starter or significant contributor during the 2013 season;
- Student-athlete will have achieved a minimum 3.2 cumulative grade point average throughout entire course of undergraduate study through the fall semester of 2013; and
- Student-athlete is meeting all NCAA/NAIA-mandated progress towards degree requirements.

Sports information directors have until March 3 to submit nominations. Contact Hillary Jeffries at hjeffries@footballfoundation.com for more information or to nominate a student-athlete.

NFF “Football Matters to Me” Campaign

The NFF campaign, Football Matters to Me, continues, providing people from border-to-border and coast-to-coast a voice in highlighting the positive impact that football has had on their lives by utilizing social media platforms and #ImAFootballPlayer. The campaign encourages participation via a series of national television spots with high-profile former players who subsequently achieved remarkable success later in life. The first video features NFF Board Member and Chairman and CEO of GE Jeff Immelt, and it can be watched by clicking here.

Individuals can get involved in the effort by simply posting their football stories and explaining how its life lessons have helped them off the field. Whether it’s a Tweet, a few sentences on a Facebook page or a video link, individuals can tell their football stories, and by using #ImAFootballPlayer, their testimonials will become part of the Twitter feed on the NFF homepage (www.footballfoundation.org).

Follow Progress on the College Football Hall of Fame Construction

Fans can check in on the progress of the new College Football Hall of Fame being built in Atlanta via a live camera at the construction site by clicking here. Fans can also watch a time lapse video of the Hall’s progress by clicking here.

College Football Hall of Fame Brick Program 

The perfect gift for any football fan this holiday season, the new College Football Hall of Fame is running a legacy brick campaign.  As part of this exclusive, limited-run opportunity, college football fans can purchase a commemorative brick with a personalized message that will forever be part of this historic attraction, slated to open in late 2014.  Prices begin at $100. Individuals can learn more about the multiple purchase options with potential tax deductible benefits by visiting http://www.cfbhall.com/bricks/or calling 1.855.HOF.BRIX (463-2749).

College Football Hall of Famer Eddie George (Ohio State) will be inducted as a member of the 2014 Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Class. Also being inducted are former Tennessee standouts Eldridge Dickey and Paul Naumoff.

College Football Hall of Famer Tracy Rocker (Auburn) was named defensive line coach at Georgia.

College Football Hall of Famers Doug English (Texas), Charlie Krueger (Texas A&M), Thurman Thomas (Oklahoma State), and Don Trull (Baylor), along with former player Dat Nguyen (Texas A&M), will officially be inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame at a banquet on Feb. 27.

College Football Hall of Fame player Eddie Cameron (Washington & Lee [Va.]) has been inducted as a member of the 2014 Southern Conference Hall of Fame Class for his time as the head coach of Duke’s football and basketball teams. Former Appalachian State head coach Jerry Moore was also inducted.

2011 Outstanding Contribution to Amateur Football Award recipient and CBS sportscaster Verne Lundquist is this year’s recipient of the Blackie Sherrod Award. He will be honored as part of this year’s Final Four at AT&T Stadium.

2013 National Scholar-Athlete Aaron Murray (Georgia) was named to the 2013 Fall SEC Academic Honor Roll.

2013 National Scholar-Athlete Derek Carr (Fresno State) was named to the 2013 Fall Academic All-Mountain West Team.


NFF Program Updates

The NFF Scholar-Athlete of the Day, presented by Fidelity Investments, is a daily segment honoring the 2013 National Scholar-Athlete candidates. Today’s honoree is Ichiro Vance, a linebacker at Eastern Kentucky who graduated in May 2013 with a 3.35 GPA in criminal justice.

For more information on the 2013 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Alumni Association, click here.

Each year, the NFF invites universities, colleges and conferences from across the country to provide support for the NFF programs through its Institutional Academic Membership Program.  The Institutional Academic Membership Program allows the NFF to greatly enhance the power of football's collective voice while actively building a stronger national platform for the game with community leaders, educators, and the media. The program is open to all football-playing institutions at every level of college football, and it has reached new levels of support in 2013. Email Ron Dilatush at rdilatush@footballfoundation.com to learn how your school can get involved. Click here for the 2013 members.

Almost 400 people attended the NFF Valley of the Sun/Phoenix Chapter’s 21st annual Arizona State High School Football Champions Luncheon on Jan. 24.

The NFF Central New York chapter held their 14^th annual banquet on Jan. 26 at the Turning Stone Resort before a sold out crowd of 600 people. The chapter honored 68 high school and nine collegiate scholar-athletes while awarding $38,000 in scholarships. The chapter has distributed more than $350,000 since its inception. Macky MacPherson from Syracuse, the grandson of Hall of Fame coach Dick MacPherson and a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, was among the college scholar-athletes who were recognized.

The NFF Westchester Chapter honored its "Golden Dozen" team and 24 additional scholar-athletes on Jan. 30 during its 42nd annual awards banquet at the Westchester Country Club in Rye, N.Y. Archbishop Stepinac standout Brian Harris received the prestigious Chris Mello Scholar-Athlete Award and Scholarship.

The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and the NFF Oklahoma Chapter will honor the state’s High School Scholar Athlete Award recipients at the Jim Thorpe Award Banquet on Tuesday at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. The Jim Thorpe Award will also be presented to the 2013 winner, Darqueze Dennard, from Michigan State.

The NFF Touchdown Club of Atlanta will host the 13^th Annual Signing Day Spectacular on Wednesday at Stars and Strikes Sandy Springs, where metro Atlanta’s top high school football players will sign their official letters of intent.

The NFF Morris County Chapter (N.J.) will hold their annual Sports Nut Night on Thursday at the Madison Hotel in Morristown. Proceeds from the event benefit their scholarship program. For more information and register for the event, click here.

The NFF Columbus Chapter will host the 53rd Annual Scholar-Athlete Awards Banquet on Feb. 10 at 6 p.m. at the Ohio Union at Ohio State. College Football Hall of Fame inductee Orlando Pace (Ohio State) will receive the Ohio Gold Award, the highest honor given by the organization, for contributions to amateur football.

The NFF Chicago Metro Chapter has named West Texas A&M senior kicker Sergio Castillo Jr. as the 2013 recipient of its Fred Mitchell Award, which is presented to the nation’s top place-kicker from the divisional ranks. He will be honored during the chapter’s Feb. 17 Chapter Awards Ceremony. Other attendees include College Football Hall of Famers Ted Hendricks (Miami, Fla.) and Pat Fitzgerald (Northwestern) and 2011 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Chandler Harnish (Northern Illinois).

The NFF Cincinnati Chapter will hold its 47th annual event, known as the “That’s My Boy” Award banquet, Feb. 27 at the Westin Cincinnati at 7 p.m. Miami University football coach Chuck Martin will deliver the keynote speech.

The NFF Valley of the Sun/Phoenix Chapter’s 33^rd Annual Scholar-Athlete Awards Banquet will be held on Saturday, March 1, at the Scottsdale Plaza Resort. NFF Board Member Jack Lengyel will be honored with the 2014 Fran and Frank Kush “Lifetime Achievement” Coaching Award. The outpost has also announced that it will present longtime chapter executive director Lew Shaw with its 2014 Distinguished Arizonan Award, the organization’s highest honor, for his contributions in significantly enhancing the lives of Arizona youth. The chapter will also host its 3rd Annual Arizona College Football Signing Day on Feb. 5 at the Doubletree Suites Hilton in Phoenix with 40 to 60 local players anticipated to sign national letters of intent.

New Football Schools

The University of West Florida named Pete Shinnick the first football head coach in the program’s history. The Argonauts will begin play in Division II in 2016… Kennesaw State’s Signing Day Central page will provide live look-ins into the coaches' board room and a live stream of the press conference during its inaugural signing day on Wednesday…

Scheduling

Conference USA announced its 2014 football schedule… Kansas State finalized its 2014 football schedule, highlighted by a prime time Thursday night game against Auburn… Boston College and Holy Cross finalized a two-game football series, meeting for the first time in 32 years… Arkansas State completed its 2014 non-conference schedule with the addition of Montana State, which also announced its full 2014 slate… North Carolina-Charlotte and Appalachian State will play a home-and-home series in 2018 and 2019…

Media

ESPNU will air 11 hours of signing day coverage on Wednesday, including 13 live commitment announcements from recruits… CBS Sports Network will provide extensive coverage across all screens of college football's annual National Signing Day on Wednesday… ESPN3 will air the Biletnikoff Award Banquet live on Saturday… FWAA members and Omaha World-Herald writers Tom Shatel and Lee Barfknecht and several other FWAA members at the World-Herald are launching an Internet radio show in March…

All-Star Games

NFL Draft eligible seniors from South Carolina colleges as well as South Carolina natives who played for out-of-state schools will participate in a College All Star Bowl at Furman University on Feb. 14 at 6:00pm ET on the CBS Sports Network. 2013 Campbell Trophy semifinalists Zane Fakes (Ball State), Kurt Hess (Youngstown State), Will Jackson (Georgia Tech), Richard MacPherson (Syracuse) and James Zotto (Wofford) will participate in the game…

People

Luis Boué has been installed as Orange Bowl Committee President & Chair… Minot State (N.D.) named Todd Hoffner head football coach…

Awards

The SEC released its 2013 fall Academic Honor Roll… The Mountain West Conference released its fall 2013 Academic all-conference team… Football players Mark Clayton (Louisville), Elvis Dumervil (Louisville), Larry Seiple (Kentucky) and Lewis Sherman (Michigan State) were inducted into the Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame… Nebraska's C.J. Zimmerer was voted as Uplifting Athletes' 2014 Rare Disease Champion…

Community Service

Eastern Washington will participate Feb. 22 in Special Olympics Washington’s annual Polar Plunge…

Facilities

Notre Dame announced the largest building project in its 172-year history, integrating the academy, student life and athletics with the construction of more than 750,000 square feet in three new buildings attached to the west, east and south sides of the University’s iconic football stadium, at a projected cost of $400 million… Kentucky’s Board of Trustees has approved a $45 million project to build a new football training facility adjacent to Commonwealth Stadium… Texas A&M’s Bright Football Complex will undergo a $16 million renovation… Baylor announced that the athletic department will complete construction on a 12,000-square-feet athlete-centered nutrition complex and dining hall next fall… Renovations began on Citrus Bowl Stadium in Orlando…

Donations

JPS Aviation/JPS Equipment Rental donated $450,000 to Louisiana at Monroe for new FieldTurf and for the donation, the name of the field will now be JPS Field at Malone Stadium…

Miscellaneous

Jan. 30 was declared "Mack and Sally Brown Day" by the city of Austin in honor of the former Texas coach and his wife… Clemson’s Athletic Hall of Fame is currently accepting nominations for the Class of 2014… Learfield Sports Minority Academy is now accepting applications for its inaugural event in May… Tennessee’s initial ticket allotment has been reserved for the Vols' game against Virginia Tech on Sept. 10, 2016 at Bristol Motor Speedway… Tennessee announced an eight-year apparel and sponsorship agreement with NIKE… Florida State celebrated its 2013 national title with more than 25,000 fans at Doak Campbell Stadium, with 2013 Chris Schenkel Award recipient Gene Deckerhoff emceeing the event… Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer proclaimed Jan. 27 “UCF Knights Tostitos Fiesta Bowl Champions” Day in Orlando.

Obituaries

Harry Gamble, former head coach at Pennsylvania and Lafayette and player at Rider College (N.J.), passed away Jan. 28. He was 83… William & Mary two-time All-American John Kreamcheck passed away Jan. 28. He was 88… Bill Bradshaw, father of Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw (Louisiana Tech), passed away Jan. 30. He was 86… Former Washington fullback Mike Reed passed away Jan. 31. He was 39… Sandy Heidtke, the wife of Senior Vice President and General Manager of Fox Sports Southwest Jon Heidtke, passed away Jan. 28. She was 51…

The National Football Foundation relies, in part, on the support of individuals to fulfill our mission of "Building Leaders Through Football." The NFF accepts gifts in a variety of forms. In addition to one-time cash gifts, which can be put to use immediately, pledges also allow donors to make more substantial commitments over a longer period of time in support of our programs. Stock and other property which can be easily liquidated are also options when considering a gift. By making a gift of appreciated stock or property, one may reduce or avoid capital gains. Gifts to the National Football Foundation are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Join us! For more information about how you can support the NFF, call 972-556-1000 or click here.

Feb. 15, 2014 – Houston High School Showcase, run by the NFF Touchdown Club of Houston, at the Houston Texans’ practice facility – Houston

Feb. 22, 2014 – California High School Showcase, organized by Hall of Fame coach Terry Donahue (UCLA) and the NFF Newport Beach Chapter, at the Stub Hub Center – Carson, Calif. 

Aug. 25, 2014 – Opening of the new College Football Hall of Fame – Atlanta

Dec. 9, 2014 – NFF Chapter Awards Luncheon, presented by Under Armour, at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel – New York City

Dec. 9, 2014 – 57th NFF Annual Awards Dinner at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel – New York City

Dec. 9, 2014 – 25th presentation of the William V. Campbell Trophy, hosted by the NYAC, to the nation's top scholar-athlete at the Waldorf Astoria – New York City

Jan. 12, 2015 – Inaugural College Football Playoff Championship at AT&T Stadium – Arlington, Texas

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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.