National Football Foundation

It was the winter of 1958. The newly formed National Football Foundation had just announced it would hold its inaugural Award Dinner in New York City. Bill Millett, onetime football coach at Colby College in Waterville, Maine, decided he wanted to attend.

Millett figured it would be nice to have company on the long auto trip to New York. He picked up the phone and called his close friend Harold Alfond to ask if Harold would like to join him.

Recalling that incident 38 years ago, Mr. Alfond said, "When Bill called, I thought that was a splendid idea and I immediately accepted. I have always loved college football and I remember thinking that I liked the concept of the National Football Foundation and what it was doing to honor the greats of the game."

Alfond added, "Actually, Bill and I attended that first dinner with a few other friends from Maine. We all had such a great evening that I decided I would attend future dinners and support The Foundation. As luck would have it, I've had the good fortune to attend every dinner. Never missed a one. We always bought a table or two."

Asked how he felt about being chosen to receive The Foundation's 1995 Gold Medal, Alfond said, "I was genuinely and pleasantly surprised. I guess I finally worked my way to the head table."

Indeed, he has. And for many good reasons. Harold Alfond has been described as an "uncommon man." Starting with a shoestring (no pun intended), Mr. Alfond founded the Dexter Shoe Company which, under his guidance, became a model in the industry. He served the company as both president and chairman of the board.

It's what Alfond did with his extraordinary success in business that sets him apart. The Dexter Shoe Company remains today one of the State of Maine's largest employers and Alfond, for his part, has never forgotten his roots and those early years. He has said many times, "The people of Maine made my success possible and I have always felt it was right to give back to the State whenever and wherever I can."

That he has done. In a big-time way. First of all, the Dexter Shoe Company is known, uniquely, for truly caring about its employees and the community. Alfond would have it no other way.

To the folks in Maine, as well as other parts of the country, Alfond's generosity is well known. He has given in a major way to three colleges in Maine that he considers important, Colby College, Bowdoin College in Brunswick and the University of Maine in Orono. On a more personal level, Mr. Alfond has helped finance the college education of more than 100 students.

When a worthy organization needs a little help, Alfond and his wife of 52 years, Bibby, can always be counted on to "be there." They have given to medical societies, hospitals, prep schools, symphonies and many youth service organizations. Their total donations to date have surpassed $12,000,000. And with Alfond, it does not end with monetary giving. He also gives of his time.

Take the National Football Foundation's State of Maine Chapter. He has participated and given financial support. In 1993 he was honored by the Maine Chapter with its Distinguished American Award.

Because he has been so interested in education, Mr. Alfond is particularly pleased that the National Football Foundation has always placed such a high priority on the perpetuation of The Foundation Scholar-Athlete Award. Said Alfond, "I think the emphasis the National Football Foundation places on the importance of the Scholar- Athlete in college football establishes a pattern for everyone to emulate and support."

As a part owner of the Boston Red Sox, Alfond has been able to keep close ties to that sport. He says, "I love my Red Sox."

His philanthropy and exceptional caring about people was recognized when he was named the recipient of the first Marie Lombardi Humanitarian Award. In 1992 he was inducted into the State of Maine Athletic Hall of Fame.

When last summer the National Football Foundation named Mr. Alfond its recipient of the 1995 Gold Medal, NFF chairman Jon F. Hanson said, "His business achievements are only overshadowed by his continuing contributions to scholarship, athletic excellence and community service. Harold Alfond has truly earned our Foundation's highest honor."

The Alfonds have three sons, a daughter and 14 grandchildren. It's always been a family affair with the Alfonds and you can rest assured that tonight they will all share the joy of seeing Harold Alfond join 37 previous Gold Medal honorees when, after 37 years of "sitting with the crowd," he takes a well-deserved place at the head table.?