National Football Foundation

Due to the tireless efforts of founding president Rod Rhoads, the Iowa Chapter has distinguished itself as one of the NFF&CHF's largest chapters in just five short years.
 
In September of 1997, Rhoads gathered several members of his family and close friends to form the Iowa Chapter, creating what has become a vital force in the game of amateur football throughout the state. The chapter is currently the sixth largest in the nation with over 300 members and has awarded in excess of $40,000 in scholarships. Under Rhoads' leadership, the Iowa Chapter has held their annual charity golf outing each of the past five years and broke new ground as one of the first in the mid-west to stage an NFL/NFF Coaching Academy in 2000.
 
A native of Des Moines, Rhoads graduated from Drake University in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. He continues to actively serve his alma mater as the alumni treasurer of the local chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. A retired Colonel of the Iowa Air National Guard, Rhoads has given back to his community as a youth coach in the sports of baseball, softball, hockey and girls and boys basketball.
 
Rhoads spent 40 years in the men's clothing business and still works part-time for one the finest men's clothing stores in the mid-west, Mr. B. Although he founded the Iowa Chapter only five years ago, Rhoads has been familiar with the National Football Foundation for many years. His sister and brother-in-law, Janie and Bill Riddle, have been longtime leaders of the Valley of the Sun Chapter in Phoenix, Arizona.
 
Rhoads and his wife, Sally, have two sons, one daughter and five grandchildren.