IRVING, Texas (Nov. 14, 2024) – The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced today the names of the 16 Faculty Athletics Representatives (FARs) who will be honored as part of the 2024 NFF Faculty Salutes Presented by Fidelity Investments®, honoring the significant contributions of faculty athletics representatives across the nation.
 
As part of the initiative, each school with a member of the 2024 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments® receives recognition for their faculty athletics representative, and a $5,000 donation per school (a total of $80,000 this year) from Fidelity is made to support the academic support services for student-athletes at the schools. Including this year's honorees, the salutes have recognized 198 FARs since the program's inception, and Fidelity has made a total of $990,000 in donations.
 
"Recognizing the Faculty Athletics Representatives highlights the key role they play in strengthening the connection between academics and athletics," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning. "Their dedication to well-being of our student-athletes is critical to ensuring high levels of achievement both on and off the field, and the success stories of the NFF National Scholar-Athletes provide a natural vehicle for emphasizing the important contributions of the faculty athletics representatives across the country."
 
The NFF will recognize 16 Faculty Athletics Representatives from the 16 schools with a member of the 2024 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments, including (names of the scholar-athletes in parentheses):
 

• Carnegie Mellon University [PA], Rebecca Nugent (Robert Coury, LB, 3.97 GPA)
• Howard University, Deborah Johnson (Terrance Hollon, LB, 3.90 GPA) 
• Iowa State University, Tim Day (Beau Freyler, DB, 3.91 GPA) 
• Montana State University, Dawn Tarabochia (Brody Grebe, DE, 3.93 GPA)
• North Central College [IL], Dr. Daniel VanHorn (Luke Lehnen, QB, 3.76 GPA) 
• Ohio State University, John Davidson (Seth McLaughlin, C, 4.00 GPA) 
• Slippery Rock University [PA], Dr. Joanne Leight (Brayden Long, QB, 4.00 GPA) 
• South Dakota State University, Dr. Donna Flint (Mark Gronowski, QB, 3.76 GPA)
• Texas Tech University, Brian Shannon (Tahj Brooks, RB, 3.55 GPA)
• University of Alabama, Dr. James E. King Jr. (Jalen Milroe, QB, 3.52 GPA)
• University of Louisville, Krista Wallace-Boaz (Ashton Gillotte, DL, 3.69 GPA) 
• University of Mississippi, Ron Rychlak (Jaxson Dart, QB, 3.71 GPA)
• University of Notre Dame, Patricia Bellia (Jack Kiser, LB, 3.82 GPA) 
• University of Oregon, Joshua Gordon (Dillon Gabriel, QB, 3.43 GPA)
• University of Texas, Mechele Dickerson (Jake Majors, C, 3.65 GPA) 
• UNLV, Dr. Tony Terrell (Jackson Woodard, LB, 3.77 GPA)

 
"The role of Faculty Athletics Representatives is integral to ensuring the academic success and all-around development of student-athletes," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. "Their advocacy helps student-athletes navigate the unique demands of balancing academics and athletics at a high level. With the generous support of Fidelity Investments, we're proud to recognize the efforts of the FARs who play a critical role in the success of nation's scholar-athletes."
 
Fidelity Investments, which also serves as the presenting sponsor of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class, has taken on a leadership role with the Faculty Salutes as a natural extension of its ongoing support of the scholar-athlete ideal and commitment to higher education nationwide. Launched in 2011 as a partnership between Fidelity and the NFF, the Salutes expand the reach of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards program, which provides $18,000 postgraduate scholarships to college football's top student-athletes.
 
"We are pleased to partner with the NFF to recognize these faculty members who go above and beyond to support their student-athletes academically so that they can give it their all on the field," said Sangeeta Moorjani, head of Tax-Exempt Market and Lifetime Engagement at Fidelity Investments. "We have always felt honored to be part of this program, as it takes a village to cultivate a successful student-athlete, and these FARs are guiding the way."
 
The NFF consulted with the 1A Faculty Athletics Representatives (1A FAR) to design the initiative, and the organizations continue to collaborate on its implementation. In 2015, the 1A FAR presented Fidelity with its "Friend of FAR" Award for its efforts with the program, and the group honored the NFF with the same award in 2016.
 
"The National Football Foundation has joined with Fidelity Investments not only to recognize the hard work of the faculty athletics representatives but to support the academic services for student-athletes, and we grateful for their efforts," said 1A FAR president Dr. Donald Bruce, the Director of the Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Tennessee. "Their efforts emphasize that the success of a student-athlete is about more than just athletic accomplishments. Participating in college athletics provides the opportunity for a top-flight education at our nation's finest institutions of higher education and facilitates the development of unparalleled leadership skills."
 
About the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards
The NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards were established in 1959 as the first initiative in history to honor scholar-athletes with postgraduate scholarships for their combined athletic, academic and leadership abilities. The NFF has awarded more than $12.9 million to 938 individuals since its inception, including the 2024 honorees. Fidelity Investments has served as the presenting sponsor of the annual NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class since 2011.
 
Submitted by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, candidates for the Campbell Trophy® must be either a senior player who will complete his final year of eligibility during the 2024 season or be a graduated player or grad transfer who has already earned a bachelor's degree and will participate in the 2024 season; must have minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale; must have outstanding football ability as a starter/significant contributor; and must have exhibited exemplary leadership on the field, in the classroom and within the community.
 
In 2024, the NFF has selected 16 of the nation's best and brightest to each receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2024 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments. The finalists will all travel to the 66th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 10, where one of them will be named the winner of the 35th Campbell Trophy® as the nation's top football scholar-athlete and have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000. The event will take place at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
 
Past recipients have used their postgraduate scholarships to set the standard for excellence in our society, earning more than 155 medical degrees, 105 law degrees, 80 MBAs and 45 PhDs. Others have used the financial backing to enhance their successful careers in finance, consulting and engineering. Continuing their excellence on the field, more than 260 recipients have played in the NFL with an average career of six seasons or double the length of a typical NFL player. Former honorees include 13 Rhodes Scholars, six Heisman Trophy winners (including two Campbell Trophy® winners), 42 NFF College Football Hall of Fame inductees and eight who are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
 
For more information regarding the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards, please visit www.footballfoundation.org. 
 
ABOUT FIDELITY INVESTMENTS
Fidelity's mission is to strengthen the financial well-being of our customers and deliver better outcomes for the clients and businesses we serve.  Fidelity's strength comes from the scale of our diversified, market-leading financial services businesses that serve individuals, families, employers, wealth management firms, and institutions. With assets under administration of $15.0 trillion, including discretionary assets of $5.8 trillion as of September 30, 2024, we focus on meeting the unique needs of a broad and growing customer base. Privately held for 78 years, Fidelity employs more than 75,000 associates across the United States, Ireland, and India. For more information about Fidelity Investments, visit https://www.fidelity.com/about-fidelity/our-company.
  
ABOUT 1A FAR
The 1A FAR is an organization of faculty athletics representatives at NCAA Division I institutions in the Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly known as Division 1A. The mission of the 1A FAR is to advocate for effective interaction and academic and fiscal balance between an institution's academic mission and its intercollegiate program. The purpose of the 1A FAR is to address issues unique to FBS institutions, which requires a careful balancing of academic versus athletics interests, of student-athlete welfare versus competitive success and of cost containment versus additional revenue generation. Learn more at oneafar.org.
 
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 criteria, selection and induction of members of the NFF College Football Hall of Fame; the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta; Future For Football; I Played; the William V. Campbell Trophy®; the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments; the NFF National High School Academic Excellence Awards presented by the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation & Hatchell Cup presented by the Original Bob's Steak & Chop House; and a series of programs and initiatives to honor the legends of the past and inspire the leaders of the future. NFF corporate partners include Bruin Capital, Catapult, Delta Air Lines, Fidelity Investments, Hampshire Companies, Hanold Associates Executive Search, Jostens, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, New York Athletic Club, 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.