The Mountain Empire Chapter headquartered in East Tennessee represents over 55 schools located across East Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, and Western North Carolina. Annually, the chapter distributes an average of $5,000 in scholarships. Regional colleges and universities are major supporters of the chapter, including East Tennessee State University, Tusculum University, Emory & Henry College, Carson Newman University, and Appalachian State University - their head coaches attend the annual chapter scholar-athlete awards banquet. The chapter also hosts an annual golf tournament as a fundraiser for scholarships.
The Mountain Empire Chapter also assists with a series of combines across the state that are hosted by the Tennessee Football Coaches Association. The events have been scheduled at the University School of Jackson; Murfreesboro Oakland HS; Boyd Buchanan HS; and Hardin Valley Academy. For dates, times and more information, please contact Gary Shephard at 931-217-8027.
In May 2021, the chapter opened a new beautiful complex in Kingsport, Tennessee, that became the home to the National Football Foundation Mountain Empire Hall of Fame to honor high school student-athletes, coaches, game officials, and others who significantly contribute to armature football. Annually the chapter will have a hall of fame induction ceremony.
The chapter has launched a website to showcase the hall of fame inductees and its other many award-winning events. For more information, visit:
https://nffmountainempirechapter.weebly.com.
