National Football Foundation

Priscilla Kistler’s strong leadership skills have earned her recognition as the recipient of the NFF South Region Chapter Leadership Award.
 
Kistler’s love of football started when she was a cheerleader in both junior high school and high school. She graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1997, and she went on to serve as the Director of Catering at North Carolina State University of 11 years. At N.C. State, she developed a close relationship with Wolfpack football players and coaches as she catered their meals.
 
Kistler cemented her love of the game when she joined the NFFCHOF Bill Dooley Chapter board of directors 14 years ago at the behest of the chapter’s namesake. She credits the late Coach Dooley with inspiring the board to give more and work harder. As Chapter Coordinator, Kistler oversees a number of events surrounding the football season. Each year in July, the chapter hosts its "Pigskin Preview," featuring insights from the five local college head coaches on the upcoming season.
 
The chapter’s Scholar-Athlete Banquet annually honors more than 20 area high schoolers for their outstanding achievement on the field and in the classroom with each receiving a $1,000 scholarship. Each local university also showcases one top football scholar-athlete for his achievements at the event.
 
“The young men we honor each year epitomize hard work and dedication,” said Kistler. “In turn, they inspire my dedication to the Bill Dooley Chapter. There is no better reward than watching the faces of the scholar-athletes, coaches and parents as the awards are presented. You can see all the ingredients that got them to that place: determination, pride and love. It’s a great honor to be involved.”
 
Kistler and her husband, Alan Peterson, reside in Raleigh, N.C., and have six children and six grandchildren. Her hobbies and passions include taking care of her grandchildren, gardening and cooking.