IRVING, Texas (Nov. 4, 2026) – Celebrating 16 years of recognizing leaders who champion student-athlete success, the National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced today the 20 Faculty Athletics Representatives (FARs) selected for the 2026 NFF Faculty Salutes Presented by Fidelity Investments®. Since its inception in 2011, the program has recognized 234 FARs and provided $1.16 million to support academic support services nationwide.

As part of the initiative, each school with a member of the 2026 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 $90,000 this year) from Fidelity Investments is made to the academic support services for student-athletes at the schools.

"Behind every great scholar-athlete, there are people who have helped them along the way, and faculty athletics representatives are a big part of that," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning. "They care about these young men and women as students and as people, not just as athletes. Much of what they do happens behind the scenes, and they don't always get the recognition they deserve. We're proud to shine a spotlight on their contributions, and we're grateful to Fidelity Investments for helping us recognize their efforts year after year."

The NFF will recognize 20 Faculty Athletics Representatives from the 18 schools with a member of the 2026 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments, including (names of the scholar-athletes in parentheses): 

• Auburn University: Dr. Duane Brandon (Byrum Brown, QB, 3.81 GPA)
• Boise State University: Dr. Roger Munger (Maddux Madsen, QB, 3.68 GPA)
• Florida State University: Dr. Michael Brady (Duce Robinson, WR, 3.90 GPA)
• Hardin-Simmons University (TX): Dr. Chris McNair (Harrison Foster, S, 3.91 GPA)
• Harding University (AR): Dr. Stephen Burks (Andrew Miller, RB, 3.66 GPA)
• Hillsdale College (MI): Dr. Sam Webster (Shea Ruddy, WR/KR, 3.72 GPA)
• Montana State University: Dr. Dawn Tarabochia (Titan Fleischmann, OL, 3.81 GPA)
• Northwestern University: Dr. Wesley R. Burghardt (Robert Fitzgerald, DB, 3.71 GPA)
• Ohio State University: Dr. John Davidson, Dr. Timothy Haab (Carson Hinzman, OL, 3.41 GPA)
• Oklahoma State University: Dr. Stephen Clarke (Ethan Wesloski, LB, 3.86 GPA)
• Texas Christian University: Dr. Eric Simanek (Jaden Craig, QB, 3.56 GPA)
• University of Alabama: Dr. James E. King Jr. (Bray Hubbard, DB, 3.58 GPA)
• University of Georgia: David Shipley (Gunner Stockton, QB, 3.27 GPA)
• University of Kentucky: Dr. Joseph L. Fink III (Ty Bryant, DB, 3.83 GPA)
• University of Oregon: Joshua Gordon (Dante Moore, QB, 3.27 GPA)
• University of Tennessee: Dr. Matt Harris (Arion Carter, LB, 3.53 GPA)
• Vanderbilt University: Tracey George (Nick Rinaldi, LB, 3.97 GPA)
• Youngstown State University: Dr. Chet Cooper, Barbara Flinn (Beau Brungard, QB, 3.82 GPA)

 
Fidelity Investments, the presenting sponsor of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class, has taken a leadership role with the Faculty Salutes. This initiative reflects their ongoing support of the scholar-athlete ideal and commitment to higher education nationwide. Launched in 2011 as a joint effort 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.
 
"At Fidelity, we believe that education, mentorship, and opportunity can help create lasting impact. Faculty Athletics Representatives play a vital role in supporting student-athletes as they balance the demands of competition and academics while preparing for success after graduation," said Sangeeta Moorjani, head of Tax-Exempt Market at Fidelity Investments. "We're proud to partner with the National Football Foundation to recognize these dedicated faculty leaders and celebrate the meaningful difference they make in the lives of students both on and off the field."
 
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.
 
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 $13.5 million to 972 individuals since its inception, including the 2026 honorees. Fidelity Investments has served as the presenting sponsor of the annual NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class since 2011.
 
Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, each candidate must be competing in the 2026 season as a senior in his final year of eligibility or a graduate student/graduate transfer who has already earned a degree; have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale; have outstanding football ability as a first team player or significant contributor; and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship.
 
In 2026, the NFF has selected 18 of the nation's best and brightest to each receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2026 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments. The finalists will all travel to the 68th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 8, where one of them will be named the winner of the 37th 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 Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.
 
For more information regarding the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards, please visit www.footballfoundation.org. 
 
ABOUT FIDELITY INVESTMENTS
Fidelity's goal 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 $19.9 trillion, including managed assets of $7.8 trillion as of June 30, 2026, we focus on meeting the unique needs of a broad and growing customer base. Privately held for 80 years, Fidelity employs more than 80,000 associates across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. 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 journalist Grantland Rice, the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) is a nonprofit organization that leverages the power of amateur football to build leaders. With 120 chapters in 47 states, the NFF oversees initiatives such as the NFF College Hall of Fame, the NFF William V. Campbell Trophy®, the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards Presented by Fidelity Investments®, Future For Football, and I Played. Learn more at footballfoundation.org and follow @NFFNetwork on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.