IRVING, Texas (Nov. 6, 2024) – The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced today that nomination forms have gone out for the 2024-25 NFF National High School Academic Excellence Awards Presented by the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation. From the pool of state winners, one team will be selected as the best in the nation, winning a $10,000 donation and being named the recipient of the NFF Hatchell Cup Presented by "The Original" Bob's Steak & Chop House.
 
The awards recognize the top high school football teams from each level of play in participating states for excellence in the classroom, on the field and in the community. The initiative is designed to inspire and foster a culture of academic excellence in high school football teams throughout the nation.
 
"The NFF National High School Academic Excellence Awards continue to grow each year, expanding their reach and impact," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning. "We are proud to see more state high school coaches associations join us in recognizing the incredible achievements of football teams not only on the field but in the classroom and their communities. By fostering a culture of academic excellence and commitment, we are helping to shape the future of these young athletes and preparing them for success well beyond their high school years."
 
The individual state high school coaches associations are sending out their nomination forms to all of their head football coaches this month, and all submissions are due by Jan. 10, 2025. The state and national winners will be announced in February.
   

• Jan. 10: Nominations Due for 2024-25 NFF National High School Academic Excellence Awards Presented by the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation
• Feb. 5: Announcement of the State Winners of the 2024-25 NFF National High School Academic Excellence Awards Presented by the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation
• Feb. 12: Announcement of 2025 recipient of the NFF Hatchell Cup, Presented by "The Original" Bob's Steak & Chop House

Eligibility requirements for the awards include: a minimum cumulative team GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; superior academic application and performance; and a successful football season. The individual state high school coaches associations select their respective state's winners from a pool of nominees submitted by each school's head coach.
 
Launched in 2021, the NFF in partnership with 34 state High School Coaches Associations sought to create the first nationwide recognition program honoring individual High School football teams for their combined excellence on the field and in the classroom.  Last school year, Indianapolis Cathedral HS (IN) joined Cypress Woods HS (TX) and Grundy Center (IA) as the recipients of the NFF Hatchell Cup.
 
"Texas is excited to continue to partner with the National Football Foundation in an effort to recognize team academic excellence," said Joe Martin, the Executive Director of the THSCA and one of the early supporters of the award. "This unique, national award recognizes High School Football teams that have excelled in academics during this football season. Not only does the game of football teach life lessons, but the teams receiving this award are proving they can compete in the classroom as well as on the gridiron."
 
The Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation became the presenting sponsor of the NFF National High School Academic Excellence Awards for the 2023-24 season. The organization's primary purpose is to preserve, protect, and enhance the Rose Bowl Stadium. "The Original" Bob's Steak & Chop House became the presenting sponsor of the Hatchell Cup in December 2022, adding its support for the 2022-23 season. Bob's opened its original Dallas location in 1993 and subsequently across the nation offering a best-in-class steakhouse experience.  
 
For more information on the NFF National High School Academic Excellence Awards or to learn how your state high school coaches association can participate, please contact the NFF at news@footballfoundation.com.