Tony Ortega still gets letters from past scholar-athletes with stories of the successes they have gone on to achieve. After 15 years as president of the NFF Pasadena-San Gabriel Valley chapter, he could fill filing cabinets full of all those success stories.

Ortega, who retired from his position in July, says hearing those stories is one of the highlights of joining a local NFF chapter.

"One of the joys I have is hearing from the alums who were scholar-athletes," Ortega said in an interview with the NFF. "They have obviously gone on to tremendous different kinds of careers and fields. When you see those kids, whether they go into football or not, it's special to see them flourish."

A former teacher, coach and high school administrator, Ortega attended his first NFF banquet in the 1970s with a senior on his football team who was being honored. He was so impressed with the event, the next year he brought his top academic freshman, sophomore and junior to inspire them to someday be honored on the same stage.

Almost 50 years later, he remains just as enthusiastic about the NFF's mission and those it serves.

"The caliber of the young men and women that get recognized is so impressive," Ortega said. "It's their athletic and academic achievements, but these young people are doing a lot more than playing football and going to school. They're involved with community service, they're student body presidents, they have leadership positions on campus, they're involved at their church."

Much like the scholar-athletes they honor, local NFF chapters are also more than just an annual awards banquet. Conceived in 1954, the NFF Chapter Network is spread across 120 outposts in 47 states with more than 12,000 total members.

All told, NFF chapters distribute more than $1 million annually with around 3,500 scholar-athletes honored each year.

In Pasadena, Ortega and the board organize an annual golf tournament that serves as the main fundraiser for the year. It's a reunion of sorts for former honorees, coaches and players from all around the area. On top of that, there are barbecues that serve burgers hot off the grill and beer ice-cold out of the cooler.

It's a football organization, of course, but Ortega is quick to point out that anyone interested in getting involved in their local NFF chapter need not be a former All-American to do so.

If you like football and have a passion for your community, you're highly qualified and highly sought-after.

Take it from Ortega, who officially retired as president this past summer but remains on the board so he can stay involved.

"Being part of the organization has been very fulfilling and gratifying to see the young men and women being honored and recognized for their achievements. Each event, the parents leave so happy and so proud with smiles on their faces watching their kids carrying their awards and their plaques. These kids are so impressive and it's so much fun."