IRVING, Texas (Aug. 1, 2023) – The Fifth Annual William V. Campbell Trophy® Summit took place July 27-29 at Stanford University, reinforcing the event's role as a powerful force for connecting more than 200 former Campbell Trophy® nominees with some of the nation's top CEOs and Silicon Valley entrepreneurs who imparted valuable life lessons to the attendees at all stages of their careers.
 
Headline speakers at the 2023 event, which is proudly sponsored by Intuit, the global technology platform that makes TurboTax, QuickBooks, Mint, Credit Karma, and Mailchimp, included Four-Star Admiral (Ret.) and NFF Vice Chairman William H. McRaven, Marshall University President (and former Intuit Chairman & CEO) Brad D. Smith, College Football Hall of Fame inductees Ronnie Lott (USC and NFF Board Member) and Steve Young (BYU and NFF National Scholar-Athlete), San Francisco 49ers General Manager John Lynch (Stanford and a Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee) and the former Utah and NFL quarterback Alex Smith. Campbell Trophy® winners Sam Acho (from Texas and currently an ESPN analyst) and Chris Howard (from Air Force and currently the Executive Vice President and COO at Arizona State) also took the stage.
 
"The Campbell Trophy® Summit has created a truly unique platform for connecting mentors and mentees around the lessons of leadership, who then return home to carry on the legacy of Bill Campbell in their respective communities," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. "The 2023 Summit represents a continuation of the NFF's work in promoting the scholar-athlete ideal that began more than seven decades ago and our commitment to highlight football's role in creating educational opportunities for those who play our sport."
 
Organized as a tribute to the late Bill Campbell, the award's namesake and the former CEO and Chairman of Intuit, the event serves as a vehicle for the many leaders impacted by Campbell to pass on his insights about success, leadership and personal growth. The 2023 event provided all past Campbell Trophy® nominees a unique chance to interact and learn from many of the nation's top entrepreneurs and Silicon Valley CEOs.

This year's attendees represented 155 colleges and universities from all divisions, and their current careers ranged from doctors, engineers, lawyers, physicists and business and civic leaders. They carried an average GPA in college of 3.65 and 59 percent have subsequently earned advanced degrees. They currently hail from 42 different states, and more than half played Division I football while another 20 percent played professionally. More than 55 percent have attended a previous Summit, and their ages run from the early 20s to 61 at an average age of 32.
 
Brad D. Smith, who currently heads Marshall University and was mentored by Bill Campbell during his tenure at Intuit, kicked off the three-day event with a tribute to the event's namesake and the attendees who gathered to carry on his legacy.
 
"There are so many talented individuals in this room, and you've have managed over the last seven and a half years to make the Campbell Trophy Summit the-must-attend-event in Silicon Valley, quite frankly, in the country. Now, I've shared this before, for those who heard me say it, but every single year we get phone calls from people, saying how can I buy a ticket to come and hang out with these individuals to hear these speakers. But that's what makes this event special. You can't buy your way into the Campbell Trophy Summit you have to earn it."
 
A three-day event, the 2023 Summit included leadership workshops, team building activities, and several other social networking activities designed to build relationships, including a non-tackle ultimate football game and a trivia challenge on the Jumbotron at Stanford Stadium. The panels covered a wide range of topics designed to foster leadership, personal growth and the career development of the attendees, including a workshop with Liz Wiseman, the author of The New York Times bestseller "Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter."
 
MWF Advisors CEO Mark Flynn, a former linebacker at Saint John's (MN) who was a volunteer coach for an eighth-grade boys-and-girls' flag-football team with Campbell, has played the lead role in organizing the event since its inception in 2017.
 
"The Summit is about a group of former student-athletes who have become great leaders and are willing to travel great distances to share and learn very important lessons about leadership, mentoring and paying it forward, all virtues and values espoused by Bill Campbell," said Flynn. "The Summit is a place where leaders sharpen leaders."
 
The Summit is open to all former nominees for the Campbell Trophy®, which has been presented since 1990, and the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards, which have been bestowed since 1959. The approach of inviting all the past nominees stretching back to 1959 has created a unique community of recent college graduates as well as professionals in the middle of their careers and retirees who can serve as mentors.
 
After Smith kicked off the event, a wide range of issues were tackled. Steve Young covered the difference between having a plan and a dream. John Lynch talked about the challenges in building a championship organization. Ronnie Lott inspired the audience talking about "why I have your back." Sam Acho discussed why it's ok to be vulnerable. Larry Miller, the chairman of the Michael Jordan brand at Nike, recounted his amazing rise to the boardroom after being incarcerated for murder.
 
Admiral McRaven spoke about numerous lessons from his experiences as a Navy Seal, reminding the audience that life is not fair and to get over it. Dr. Alexandira White, a senior vice president with ReBoot Accel and an expert on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, outlined the 50 questions inclusive leaders should ask. Ron Johnson, the former head of retail operations at Apple, told the story of how the tech giant approached reimagining the customer experience in launching the Apple retail stores. Dianne Flynn, the co-founder and CEO of ReBoot Accel, covered design thinking as a framework for accelerating innovation.
 
Acho, Hatchell, McRaven and Smith joined award winning writer Ivan Masiel serving on a panel as part of a design thinking workshop with the attendees forming groups and pitching ideas on reimagining college football and addressing NIL (Name, Image and Likeness), the transfer portal and other issues. Liz Weissman, the best-selling author and executive advisor, conducted team exercises that challenged the attendees to be a multiplier. Alex Smith told his story of recovery after almost losing his leg and how he overcame self-doubt and adversity. Chris Howard gave a presentation, outlining his four "B's" of leadership: Be Yourself; Be Emphatic; Be Accountable; and Be Courageous.
 
"The Summit is one of the best leadership and learning laboratories I've been exposed to in the last 10 to 20 years," Howard said. "You get a cohort of like-minded scholar athletes, so it brings back memories of those glory days, but then you get this bevy of leaders in technology, business, sports, and life in general, that gives you  those critical nuggets that inspire you, and then on top of all, that, you get this amazing network of your fellow scholar athletes, including the older generation who are going to be a network for you for the rest of your life… I just feel honored to try to carry on Bill Campbell's legacy and pay it forward."
 
Robert Droege, a 2003 Campbell Trophy Finalist from Missouri, made his first Summit this year. Droege who played in the NFL after college and subsequently returned to his high school alma mater, Lindergh High School (MO) as a teacher and football coach, cited the Summit as a source of inspiration and chance to reflect on his career.
 
"It's about being around, not just guys who played the game at a high level, but guys who were driven in the classroom and driven to success," said Droege. "Being around those kinds of people, hearing what they're doing with their lives connecting in those ways, it really, really inspires me. Plus, the speaker lineup is just incredible. I'm sitting here taking all these notes, and I can't wait to go back and make an action plan."
 
Major General (ret.) Tim McGuire, a 1986 NFF National Scholar-Athlete from Army West Point who during a 34-year military career rose from being an infantry officer to a three-star command with multiple combat tours in Afghanistan and Iraq, returned for his second Summit after attending in 2022, bringing a different daughter each time so she could learn as well.
 
"This is one of the premier team building and leadership development events in the country," said McGuire. "My hat is off to the team for putting together the talented panelists, who are truly knowledgeable experts, and then affording us the opportunity to truly get to know the other scholar athletes and Campbell finalists because there has been so much great discussion, including away from the sessions on business opportunities, state of football, and just life in general. As one of the older guys here, seeing the intergenerational bonding and it's how all unified through our love of football and the concept of a team is very impressive."
 
Nicholas D'Ambrose, a 2022 NFF Campbell Trophy Finalist from Chicago who was just honored this past December, is preparing for a medical career after majoring in neuroscience and minoring in chemistry with a 3.69 GPA. 
 
"There are so many successful people who are here who want to improve themselves, their families and communities" said D'Ambrose. "We all have a common love of football and are grateful for football and the life skills it has taught us…. Transitioning away from football after 17 football seasons, it's been hard for me, but the Summit has provided a means for me to stay connected to the game and realize the ultimate importance of the game, being part of a team and being a good member of a community."
   

• Sam Acho, AWM Capital Director of Human Capital, Innovation and Impact, ESPN Analyst, Author of "Let The World See You and Change Starts With You," 2010 William V. Campbell Trophy® recipient, former Texas defensive end
• Diane Flynn, ReBoot Accel, co-founder and CEO
• Mark Flynn, MFW Advisors CEO, former Saint John's (MN) linebacker
• Steve Hatchell, National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame, President & CEO
• Chris Howard, Arizona State University Public Enterprise, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, 1990 William V. Campbell Trophy® recipient, Rhodes Scholar, former Air Force running back
• Ron Johnson, former executive leader at multiple companies, including Target, Apple, JC Penny and Enjoy Technology, Inc.,
• Ronnie Lott, Lott Auto Ventures, CEO, 2002 College Football Hall of Fame inductee, former Southern California safety, 2000 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, NFF Board Member
• John Lynch, San Francisco 49ers General Manager, Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, and former Stanford safety
• Ivan Maisel, award winning author, sportswriter
• William H. McRaven, U.S. Navy Four-Star Admiral (Ret.), former University of Texas System Chancellor, 2016 NFF Distinguished American Award recipient, author of several books, including "Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life...And Maybe the World"
• Larry Miller, Michael Jordan brand at Nike, chairman, author "Jump: My Secret Journey From the Streets to the Boardroom"
• Chris Riback, Good Guys Media Ventures, founder
• Ted Robinson, television and radio sportscaster
• Matthew Sign, National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame COO, former Rice University nose guard
• Alex Smith, motivational speaker, former Utah and NFL quarterback
• Brad D. Smith, Marshall University President, former Intuit chairman and CEO
• Dr. Alexandria White, ReBoot Accel SVP for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
• Liz Wiseman, author of The New York Times bestseller "Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter"
• Steve Young, HGGC Co-Founder and Managing Director, 1983 NFF National Scholar-Athlete (Brigham Young), 2001 College Football Hall of Fame inductee, 2005 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee

   
Alabama State University - Luke Barnes (2021)
Allegheny College (PA) - Hudson Alread (2022)
Appalachian State University - Jordan Fehr (2019)
Arizona State University - Nicholas Murphy (2001)
Arizona State University - Kyle Williams (2019)
Arkansas Tech University - Stuart Cash (1999)
Ashland University (OH) - Vincent Cashdollar (2007)
Bates College (ME) - Mark Upton (2016)
Bentley University (MA) - Rogers Boylan (2017)
Berry College (GA) - Jake Weitkamp (2022)
Boise State University - Bart Hendricks (2000)
Boise State University - Kekaula Kaniho (2020)
Brigham Young University - Kellen Fowler (2008)
Brigham Young University - Nathan Meikle (2006)
Brigham Young University - Keyan Norman (2017)
Brigham Young University - Steve Young (1983)/College Football Hall of Fame inductee
Brown University - Chad Broome-Webster II (2021)
Brown University - Dan Giovacchini (2014)
Brown University - Brian Strachan (2015)
Brown University - Michael Yules (2013)
Bucknell University - Rick Mottram (2020)
Bucknell University - Sam Oyekoya (2012)
Butler University - Mike Goletz (1999)
Butler University - David McMahon (2006)
Campbell University - Thomas Hartshorn (2018)
Carnegie Mellon University (PA) - Jason Funke (1998)
Carson Newman University (TN) - William Alderman (2014)
Colgate University - Grant Breneman (2020)
Colorado State University - David Anderson (2005)
Colorado State University - James Bennett (2000)
Colorado State University-Pueblo - Max Gonzales (2022)
Columbia University - Mike Hinton (2018)
Cornell College (IA) - Matt Miller (1993)
Cornell University - Maxton Edgerly (2020)
Cornell University - Jelani Taylor (2019)
Dakota State University (SD) - Jason Grady (2015)
Dartmouth College - Jay Barnard (2003)
Dartmouth College - Evan Hecimovich (2021)
Dartmouth College - Jack Heneghan (2017)
Dartmouth College - Kevin Noone (2002)
Dartmouth College - Michael Runger (2013)
Delaware State University - Peter Gaertner (2006)
Delta State University (MS) - Tyler Sullivan (2016)
DePauw University (IN) - Will Longthorne (2016)
Drake University - Daniel Clinton (2010)
Drake University - Ryan Horvath (2005)
Earlham College (IN) - Drew Hosier (2008)
Eastern Illinois University - Harrison Woodbery (2020)
Eastern Kentucky University - Emory Attig (2011)
Eastern Michigan University - Dylan Drummond (2022)
Eastern New Mexico University - Kamal Cass (2017)
Eastern New Mexico University - Ty Touchstone (2004)
Elon University - Brandon Mason (2004)
Florida Atlantic University - John Mitchell (2021)
Florida International University (FIU) - Edward Wenger (2005)
Fresno State - Jacob Vazquez (2016)
Georgia State University - Bobby Baker (2016)
Georgia Tech - Kevin Tuminello (2007)
Gustavus Adolphus College (MN) - Jared Sieling (2007)
Hampden-Sydney College (VA) - Michael Harris (2022)
Harvard University - Michael Mancinelli (2014)
Harvard University - Nicholas Palazzo (2002)
Harvard University - Spencer Rolland (2021)
Hope College (MI) - Brady Eding (2021)
Hope College (MI) - Daniel Romano (2022)
Houston Christian University - Brennan Young (2022)
Indiana University - Beau Robbins (2022)
Iowa State University - Todd Bandhauer (1998)
Iowa State University - Craig Mahoney (1990)
Jacksonville State University - Justin Lea (2017)
Jacksonville University - Nic Duch (2018)
Kansas State University - Brooks Barta (1992)
Kansas State University - Tyler Burns (2020)
Knox College (IL) - Robert Monroe (1987)
La Salle University (PA) - John Travers (2001)
Lake Forest College (IL) - Dante Esposito (2022)
Lake Forest College (IL) - Jamari Tansmore (2021)
Lake Forest College (IL) - George Vidas (2015)
Lehigh University - Josh Parris (2014)
Lehigh University - Brendan Van Ackeren (2008)
Liberty University - Brook Farrel (2005)
Marist College - Mike Arrington (2022)
Marist College - Terrence Turner (2010)
McNeese State University - Wes Hines (2000)
McNeese State University - Beau Lasseigne (2009)
Middle Tennessee State University - Jordan Parker (2015)
Monmouth College (IL) - Daniel Cotter (1987)
Montana State University - Jordan Craney (2010)
Montana State University - Anders Larsson (1988)
Moravian College (PA) - Jalen Snyder-Scipio (2016)
Morehead State University (KY) - Nick Feldman (2008)
New Mexico State University - Dalton Herrington (2017)
Newberry College (SC) - Jawanza Adams (2018)
North Dakota State University - Kevin Feeney (1998)
North Dakota State University - Ryan Williams (2000)
Northern Arizona University - Jacob Crissup (1999)
Northern Arizona University - Eric Damko (2001)
Northern Illinois University - Patrick Stephen (1998)
Northern State University (SD) - Brian Sumption (2017)
Oklahoma State University - Seb Clements (2008)
Oregon State University - Nick Porebski (2017)
Ouachita Baptist University (AR) - Peyton Stafford (2022)
Penn State University - Tony (Charles) Pittman (1994)
Pittsburg State University (KS) - Darian Taylor (2018)
Princeton University - Matt Arends (2015)
Princeton University - Scott Carpenter (2016)
Princeton University - Joe Cloud (2012)
Princeton University - Michael Ruttlen Jr. (2022)
Rhodes College (TN) - Andrew Meier (2010)
Robert Morris University - Adam Wollet (2018)
Rowan University (NJ) - Chris Popper (2012)
Rutgers University - Quentin Gause (2015)
Rutgers University - Quanzell Lambert (2016)
Saint John's University (MN) - Chris Backes (2021)
Saint John's University (MN) - Blake Elliott (2003)
Saint John's University (MN) - Will Gillach (2018)
Saint John's University (MN) - Carter Hanson (2016)
Saint John's University (MN) - Michael Wozniak (2022)
Saint Mary's College (CA) - Sean Laird (1997)
Samford University - Graham Lemmond (2006)
San Jose State University - Tom James (1998)
San Jose State University - Tre (Aaron) Jenkins (2022)
Southeast Missouri State University - Adam Casper (2007)
Southern Arkansas University - Eddie Key (2001)
St. Ambrose University (IA) - Brad Cook (2006)
Stanford University - Dallas Lloyd (2016)
Stanford University - Casey Moore (2002)
Stanford University - Jet Toner (2020)
Stetson University - Davion Belk (2016)
Stetson University - Austin Tyrrell (2017)
Stonehill College (MA) - David Satkowski (2022)
Texas State University - Gabe Loyd (2017)
The Citadel - Brandon Eakins (2015)
The College of the Holy Cross - John Macomber (2013)
The College of the Holy Cross - Peter Oliver (2022)
The College of Wooster (OH) - Patrick Mohorcic (2017)
Towson University - Jake Ryder (2016)
Tufts University (MA) - Khalif Jeter (2020)
Tufts University (MA) - Johnathan Oneal (2022)
Tufts University (MA) - Mike Pedrini (2021)
Tulane University - Sam Scofield (2014)
UCLA - Shea Pitts (2022)
United States Air Force Academy - David Hlatky (1988)
United States Air Force Academy - Chris Howard (1990)/Campbell Trophy Winner
United States Military Academy - Terry Baggett (2014)
United States Military Academy - Kenneth Brinson Jr. (2018)
United States Military Academy - Shaun Castillo (1999)
United States Military Academy - Timothy McGuire (1986)
United States Naval Academy - Jeffrey Vanak (2004)
University at Albany - J.T. Herfurth (2000)
University at Buffalo - Lee Skinner (2014)
University of California - Steven Coutts (2019)
University of Central Florida - Eriq Gilyard (2021)
University of Central Florida - Joey Grant (2015)
University of Central Florida - Justin Holman (2016)
University of Central Florida - Jordan (Kelton) Johnson (2019)
University of Chicago (IL) - Nicholas D'Ambrose (2022)
University of Colorado - Justin Bates (2002)
University of Colorado - Nate Bonsu (2013)
University of Colorado - Jim Hansen (1992)/Campbell Trophy winner
University of Colorado - Ryan Olson (1997)
University of Colorado - Neil Voskeritchian (1995)
University of Dayton - Bart Bergfeld (2008)
University of Dayton - Martin McNamara (2001)
University of Delaware - Laith Wallschleger (2014)
University of Florida - Johnny Townsend (2017)
University of Georgia - Drew Butler (2011)
University of Illinois - Dre Brown (2019)
University of Kansas - Mike Rivera (2008)
University of Kentucky - Antoine Huffman (2005)
University of Kentucky - Tim Masthay (2008)
University of Memphis - Scott Scherer (2002)
University of Minnesota - Anthony Brinkhaus (2007)
University of Minnesota - Adam Weber (2010)
University of Minnesota-Duluth - Jason Balts (2018)
University of Mississippi - Deterrian Shackelford (2014)
University of Missouri - Sean Culkin (2016)
University of Missouri - Robert Droege (2003)
University of Montana - Dustin Dlouhy (2006)
University of Nebraska - Austin Cassidy (2011)
University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) - John Greer (2000)
University of North Alabama - Derrick Chatman (2008)
University of North Texas - Taylor Casey (2003)
University of Notre Dame - Timothy Ridder (1998)
University of Pennsylvania - Matt Rader (1998)
University of Pittsburgh - Chad Reed (2002)
University of Redlands (CA) - Aaron Hinkle (2014)
University of San Diego - Conrad Smith (2009)
University of South Alabama - Harrison Louden (2017)
University of South Dakota - Isaac Armstead (2018)
University of South Florida - Brad (James) Cecil (2022)
University of Southern California - Erik Krommenhoek (2020)
University of Texas - Sam Acho(2010)/Campbell Trophy winner
University of Texas - Nate Boyer (2014) & NFF Legacy Award winner
University of Texas - Neale Tweedie (2006)
University of Tulsa - James Kilian (2004)
University of Tulsa - Andrew McLaughlin (2001)
University of Virginia - Thomas Burns (1993)/Campbell Trophy winner
University of Wyoming - Cooper Rothe (2019)
University of Wyoming - Stuart Williams (2014)
Vanderbilt University - Cody Markel (2019)
Wake Forest University - Hunter Williams (2015)
Washington State University - Troy Bienemann (2005)
Washington State University - Jared Karstetter (2011)
Wayne State University (MI) - Trent Brodbeck (2016)
Wayne State University (MI) - Nick Thomas (2012)
Waynesburg University (PA) - Tyler Raines (2022)
Wesleyan University (CT) - Justin Johnson (2021)
Wesleyan University (CT) - Joseph Wilson (2018)
West Virginia University - Billy Kinney (2018)
Western Michigan University - John Potter (2011)
Wheaton College (IL) - Eric Stevenson (2018)
William & Mary - Andrew Caskin (2017)
William & Mary - Ryan Ripley (2021)
Wingate University (NC) - Christopher Birozes (2018)
Yale University - Alvin Cowan (2004)
Yale University - Sterling Strother (2019)
 
*Campbell Trophy® Finalists and NFF National Scholar-Athletes are bolded. Four Campbell Trophy® winners: Sam Acho (Texas), Thomas Burns (Virginia), Jim Hansen (Colorado) and Chris Howard (Air Force) attended. 
 
The captain of Columbia's 1961 Ivy League championship team, Bill Campbell found his true calling after an unlikely career change at age 39 from football coach to advertising executive. His ability to recruit, develop and manage talented executives – all lessons learned on the gridiron –proved to be a critical component of his ability to inspire his business teams to the highest levels of success.
 
Campbell joined the NFF Board in 1978 while he was still a coach at Columbia, and he continued to serve with distinction until his passing in 2016. In 2004, the NFF recognized Campbell's contributions and accomplishments by presenting him with the NFF Gold Medal, the organization's highest honor. In 2009, the NFF renamed college football's premier scholar-athlete award as The William V. Campbell Trophy® in his honor.
 
Celebrating its 34th year in 2023, the trophy identifies one individual as the absolute best in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary community leadership, and it has become one of college football's most sought after and competitive awards. Made of 25-pounds of bronze and 24-inches in height, the trophy is currently displayed at its official home inside the New York Athletic Club. The trophy is accompanied by a $25,000 postgraduate scholarship.
 
The centerpiece to the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards Presented by Fidelity Investments, the Campbell Trophy® was first presented in 1990 and adds to the prestige of the program, which was launched in 1959 as the first initiative in history to award postgraduate scholarships based on a player's combined academic, athletic and community accomplishments. Using the recipients of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards as the pool of finalists, the NFF selects one member of the class as the winner of the Campbell Trophy®. The program has awarded $12.3 million to 906 top athletes since its inception, and it currently distributes around $300,000 each year. Coupled with the money distributed by its local chapters, the NFF has distributed more than $38.1 million.
 
ABOUT The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame
Founded in 1947 with early leadership from General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl "Red" Blaik and immortal journalist Grantland Rice, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame is a non-profit educational organization that runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship, and athletic achievement in young people. With 120 chapters in 47 states, NFF programs include the selection and induction of members of the College Football Hall of Fame; the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta; Future For Football; The William V. Campbell Trophy®; the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments; the NFF National High School Academic Excellence Awards & Hatchell Cup presented by the Original Bob's Steak & Chop House; and a series of initiatives to honor the legends of the past and inspire the leaders of the future. NFF corporate partners include Catapult, Delta Air Lines, Fidelity Investments, Hanold Associates Executive Search, Jostens, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, the New York Athletic Club, the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation and the Sports Business Journal. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @NFFNetwork and learn more at footballfoundation.org.