National Football Foundation

A native of Boise, Idaho, Ernie Hoidal has established a reputation as a leader in his community, serving as the chairman of the NFF Southern Idaho Chapter since 1997.  In addition to football and his work as a successful attorney, Hoidal enjoys studying legal history, writing and teaching.
 
A versatile athlete, Hoidal played multiple positions for the Capital High School (Idaho) football team before heading to the University of San Francisco where he received his B.S. degree in International Law. He studied at the University of Idaho’s College of Law, receiving his J.D. in 1974. For the past 39 years, Hoidal has practiced law in Boise with an emphasis on immigration and nationality law, and he attributes much of his professional success to his experiences as a football player.
 
“Playing football instilled perseverance, the necessity of dedication and the understanding of the ultimate teamwork sport which assisted me in pursuing my legal career,” said Hoidal. “I can honestly say my coaches were role models of the highest character and held us all, as members of a team, to a standard of excellence on and off the field.”
 
Under Hoidal’s leadership, the NFF Southern Idaho Chapter has honored hundreds of outstanding high school and collegiate scholar-athletes, presenting more than $70,000 in scholarships over the past 17 years. The chapter also works closely with the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl game and executive director Kevin McDonald, who now helps run the chapter. Hoidal and his wife Carol have two children and one granddaughter.