(Pictured Above: L-R: Hemet Principal Dr. Jeff Franks, NFF sponsor Bob Sambol, NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell, Hemet Head Football Coach Jeff Galloway at Bob’s Steak & Chop House during a celebration of Hemet High School (CA) as the 2024-25 winners of the Hatchell Cup.)

NFF National High School Academic Excellence Awards, Presented by Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation, & NFF Hatchell Cup, Presented by Bob's Steak & Chop House

 

	STATE WINNERS	HATCHELL CUP (NATIONAL WINNER)
2024-25	State Winners	Hemet High School (CA)
2023-24	State Winners	Cathedral High School (IN)
2022-23	State Winners	Grundy Center High School (IA)
2021-22	State Winners	Cypress Woods HS (TX)

The NFF National High School Academic Excellence Awards Presented by the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation represents the first nationwide recognition honoring individual high school football teams for excellence in the classroom.

The annual recipient of the NFF National High School Academic Excellence Award will receive the NFF Hatchell Cup Presented by Bob's Steak & Chop House. The trophy is named for current NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell in recognition of his leadership and longstanding service to the NFF and his commitment to the betterment of the game of football.

The NFF announced the creation of the awards in February 2021. The awards represent the first nationwide recognition honoring individual high school football teams for excellence in the classroom. 

“Academic and athletic success go hand-in-hand,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning. “We are proud to partner with state high school coaches associations on this award, and our goal is to eventually reach all 50 states in the future. We hope by inspiring teams to compete in the classroom with the same competitive spirit that it takes to win on the field we will better prepare high school football players for success later in life.”
 
“Texas is excited to partner with the National Football Foundation in an effort to recognize team academic excellence,” said Joe Martin, the Executive Director of the Texas High School Coaches Association. “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 finalists from each division of play are selected by the individual states’ high school coaches associations from a pool of semifinalists submitted by each school’s head coach. A selection committee, created by the NFF, is responsible for choosing one school as the recipient of the National High School Academic Excellence Award.

Eligibility requirements for the NFF National High School Academic Excellence Award include:

• A minimum cumulative team GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Superior academic application and performance.
• Successful football season.

Southern Califorinia Football Coaches Association President James Vondra
“The SCFCA is proud to partner with the NFF to emphasize the importance of balancing athletic pursuits with academic responsibilities to ensure that student-athletes become well-rounded individuals who can succeed both on and off the field. As coaches, we must remember that the true measure of a successful athlete is not only their performance on the field but also their dedication to their studies and their commitment to achieving academic success. Recognizing academic excellence in athletes is crucial for their overall development and well-being.”

Delaware Interscholastic Football Coaches Association President John Wilson
"NFF National High School Academic Excellence Award is important for recognizing those schools who not only perform well on the field but also achieve academic success in the classroom. It's a great way to emphasize the importance of education-based athletics."
 
Florida Athletic Coaches Association Executive Director Shelton Crews
"We are extremely proud to partner with the National Football Foundation in awarding the Academic Excellence Award in the state of Florida. Plant High School in Tampa, has a long tradition of excellence in their Academic and Athletic programs. They are very deserving and we wish to congratulate them for this outstanding accomplishment."

Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Executive Director Kevin Crandall
"The IHSFCA is excited to see significant growth in our second year awarding the NFF Academic Excellence Award. The opportunity to recognize the programs and coaches in our state who are doing such an excellent job in the classroom along with the playing field is very much appreciated. We are excited to continue the initiative with the National Football Foundation in the future. "
 
Indiana Football Coaches Association Executive Director Bob Gaddis
"NFF National High School Academic Excellence Awards are a tremendous way for outstanding football programs around the USA to recognize the accomplishments of the student athletes in the classroom. The state of Indiana is excited to participate in recognizing our national finalist and state champions. We applaud their work and appreciate the NFF making this an annual award. We honor our team's coaches at our state convention."
 
Iowa Football Coaches Association President Paul Patterson
"The IFCA is excited to be involved with the NFF and the NFF National High School Academic Excellence Awards each year as an opportunity to celebrate our school's success in the classroom. As high school coaches, we stress the importance of maintaining high standards in the classroom and appreciate the recognition of a job well done. We are thankful for the partnership the IFCA and the NFF have in celebrating our coaches and players here in Iowa."

Louisiana High School Coaches Association Director Eric Held
"For the fourth year, the LHSCA is excited to partner with the National Football Foundation and their effort to recognize excellence on the playing field and in the classroom.  The NFF Academic Excellence Award celebrates the achievements of our football program's academic and community successes.  The NFF mirrors the same values that school educators and coaches instill in our student-athletes.  Thanks again to the NFF for giving so many football programs around our nation the opportunity to compete for the Hatchell Cup and help us remember the importance of education-based athletics."
 
Michigan HS Football Coaches Association (MHSFCA) Region 14 Director Al Boydston
"For more than two decades the MHSFCA has rewarded teams and athletes for their achievements off the field as well as those on the field. Being part of the NFF's Academic Excellence Awards program has given us another great way to recognize schools and coaches for their emphasis on the high school student-athlete."

Minnesota Football Coaches Association President Nick David
"We are extremely proud to partner with the National Football Foundation in awarding the Academic Excellence Award in the state of Minnesota and we truly appreciate the NFF's efforts in helping recognize high school student-athletes that are excelling both on the gridiron and in the classroom. The life-lessons our student-athletes continue to gain by balancing both football and the classroom will provide a solid foundation for them to build off of as they move on in their lives. We are excited to continue this initiative with the National Football Foundation in the future and look forward to celebrating our coaches and players."
 
Nebraska Coaches Association Executive Director Darin Boysen
"We appreciate the National Football Foundation's efforts in helping recognize high school student-athletes that are excelling on the football field and within the classroom. Our youth are being pulled in many directions today, but the teams being recognized with the NFF Academic Excellence Award are clearly surrounded by talented coaches and educators who bring out their best. Communities and schools across America should celebrate the cumulative team dedication being recognized through this award."
 
Oregon Athletic Coaches Association Executive Director Rob Younger
"The NFF National High School Academic Excellence Awards have become one of the most prestigious recognitions that we give at our Annual Awards Banquet. This award recognizes the 'Best of the Best' football programs in our state. The recognition is a great way to promote the great game of football, and it provides a great showcase of our schools and communities by honoring the players and coaches for their work on the field and in the classroom."
 
Texas High School Coaches Association Executive Director Joe Martin
"Texas is excited to again partner with the National Football Foundation in an effort to recognize team academic excellence. 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."

Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Executive Director Dan Brunner
"We are extremely proud to participate in this award. We salute the National Football Foundation for recognizing the importance of Academic Achievement by sponsoring the Academic Excellence Awards."

For more information on the NFF National High School Academic Excellence Award or to learn how your state high school coaches association can participate next season, please contact the NFF at news@footballfoundation.com.