The Chapter Box Score Network conceived in 1954 120 chapters in 47 states 12,000 members Reaches 5,000 high schools and 500,000 student-athletes $1 million distributed annually $25 million distributed all-time 3,500 students-athletes honored annually 92,800 scholar-athletes honored all-time 33,000 people annually attend a banquet More than 300 events staged each year All-time chapter banquet attendance: 1,497,000

The NFF Chapter Network, spread across 120 outposts in 47 states, serves as the pulse of a nationwide effort to promote amateur football and encourage leadership, sportsmanship and academic excellence among America’s young football players. The first meeting to discuss the formation of chapters was held by the Cincinnati Club in 1954, and today more than 12,000 passionate members carry on the legacy of the early pioneers, which is simply to Build Leaders Through Football. Collectively, they host more than 300 events each year, reaching more than 500,000 football players at 5,000 high schools.

There is no prerequisite football experience required to become a member; in fact, many of our members never even played organized football. Our membership base includes nearly every profession, race, religion and creed. Our members are men and women, fans, parents, players, coaches, referees and administrators. They work as educators, business people, doctors, lawyers, sales people, laborers, policeman, firefighters, politicians, engineers, etc. Our members have served our country's highest office, walked on the moon, led our soldiers into battle, won the Heisman Trophy, ruled on the U.S. Supreme Court, coached in Super Bowls and National Championship games, built financial empires, made movies, saved lives and imparted wisdom. Our members share one common bond: their love for amateur football.

Your support helps widen our span of influence, allowing the Foundation to expand its positive effects on the game, our communities and our young people. The mission of the Foundation and our members, simply stated, is to ensure and promote the future of amateur football. If you are not already a member, or if you have been a member in the past, we hope you will join in our effort to see this mission through.
 
“The NFF Chapter Network stands as one of the most valuable forces in all of amateur sports,” said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. “The passion of our members knows no bounds, and their efforts have a dramatic impact on inspiring leadership and lifting the academic performance of high school football players nationwide.”
 
Distributing a total of $25 million to date, the NFF chapters remain a unique force in amateur sports. They make a significant impact at the grassroots level by promoting the NFF’s mission through a wide range of activities including coaching clinics, leadership conferences, college nights and media days, that reach a broad range of audiences, including parents, teachers, coaches, officials, administrators, business and community leaders and high school and college scholar-athletes.
 
“The fact that the NFF runs the College Football Hall of Fame is compelling,” NFF Chicago Metro Chapter President Chris Kearney said. “Our chapter has a tremendous board that has a great balance between College Football Hall of Famers and business people that are passionate about the sport. It is a pleasure to recognize the incredible accomplishments of players and teams for their performance on the gridiron and in the community.”
 
Each year, the chapters award more than $1 million in scholarships while recognizing 3,500 high school and college student-athletes. The honorees represent an exceptional group of young student-athletes, and many have gone on to become doctors, lawyers, scientists, engineers and a few have even starred in the NFL. At the center of each NFF chapter lays a group of leaders with a pure and intense love of football and a desire to give back, strengthening the game for the next generation.
 
“In today’s society, recognizing and honoring all the good in high school scholar-athletes is a side of sports that does not get enough recognition and publicity,” said NFF Bill Denny/Rutgers Football Letterwinners (NJ) Chapter President and 2019 Chapter Leadership Award recipient Fred Roselli. “It is only through organizations such as the National Football Foundation that this becomes a national reality and exposes all the good in today’s youth. Being a part of that is one of the most rewarding and gratifying feelings to experience.”
 
Establishing a set of criteria for young scholar-athletes to aspire, each chapter has its own set of guidelines for selecting their honorees, but they all aim to recognize achievement on the field, in the classroom and leadership in the community. Each chapter also executes its own scholarship banquet with their own unique traditions. Annually drawing more than 35,000 people, the NFF banquets serve as an important milestone for the honorees as they claim a portion of $1 million in scholarships.
 
The banquets annually draw attendance and support from more than 90 head coaches at all levels of college football, a large number of College Football Hall of Famers, past NFF National Scholar-Athletes, college athletics directors and NFF board members.
 
“I was a 5’6”, 285-pound eighth grade student who was mentored by a coach/teacher and pushed me to join modified football,” said NFF Capital District (NY) Chapter Board Member and 2019 Chapter Leadership Award recipient Nick Fitzgerald. “I was not a very good athlete and struggled with my self-esteem. The game of football gave me the skills and traits to be able to conquer anything life throws at me. The dedication, commitment, teamwork, perseverance and preparation that football entails taught me to translate all of that into my daily life. Being a part of the NFF allowed me to give back to the game that has given me so much.” 

If you are interested in learning more about how to begin a chapter in your area, please call (972) 556-1000 or email membership@footballfoundation.com.