- National Football Foundation
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The National Football Foundation (NFF) is a non-profit organization founded in 1947 by General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army Black Knights football coach Earl "Red" Blaik and journalist Grantland Rice. Its mission is to promote and develop amateur American football on all levels throughout the United States and to cultivate leadership, sportsmanship, enthusiasm for competition, and the drive for academic excellence among America's youth.
In addition to supporting amateur football on the local level, the National Football Foundation also oversees the support, administration, and operation of the College Football Hall of Fame. Among its other programs and initiatives includes the facilitation of the Play It Smart program, which places a trained "academic coach" who turns football teams into learning teams in underserved high schools across the country, and the awarding of the Draddy Trophy presented by HealthSouth Corporation, referred to in many circles as the "Academic Heisman". In spring 2007, the NFF launched the NFF National Honor Society, a recognition program for players who excel both on the field and in the classroom. Inductees must have been a starter in their final collegiate season and have earned a 3.2 cumulative GPA for their undergraduate degree.[1] The Foundation also tabulates and releases the Bowl Championship Series Standings each Fall and hosts an Annual Awards Dinner in December at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City.
Archie Manning, a former Ole Miss Rebels football All-American and member of the College Football Hall of Fame, serves as the current chairman,[2] and Steven J. Hatchell, the former commissioner of the Big 12 Conference and executive director of the FedEx Orange Bowl, serves as its current president. The foundation is has 119 local chapters distributed among 46 states. Since 1956, more than 100,000 volunteers have become members.
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National Football Foundation Gold Medal
The Gold Medal, the NFF’s highest honor, has been presented to seven U.S. Presidents, four U.S. Generals, three U.S. Admirals, one U.S. Supreme Court Justice, 25 Corporate CEOs and Chairmen.
Distinguished American Award
Presented on special occasions when a truly deserving individual emerges, the award honors someone who has applied the character building attributes learned from amateur sport in their business and personal life, exhibiting superior leadership qualities in education, amateur athletics, business and in the community.
MacArthur Trophy
Every year, the National Football Foundation awards the MacArthur Trophy to the NCAA Division I-FBS college football team determined to be the national champion.
John L. Toner Award
The annual award is given to an athletic director who has demonstrated superior administrative abilities and shown outstanding dedication to college athletics and particularly college football.
Note: * = posthumously
- 1997 - John L. Toner
- 1998 - Doug Dickey
- 1999 - Jake Crouthamel and Davey Nelson*
- 2000 - Frank Broyles
- 2001 - Milo R. "Mike" Lude
- 2002 - Bill Byrne
- 2003 - Andy Geiger and John Clune*
- 2004 - Vince Dooley
- 2005 - Jack Lengyel
- 2006 - DeLoss Dodds
- 2007 - Jeremy Foley
- 2008 - Gene Smith
- 2009 - Jim Weaver
- 2010 - Robert Mulcahy
- 2011 - vacated[3]
References
- ^ "NFF Announces Inaugural National Honor Society". National Football Foundation. 2007-04-25. http://www.footballfoundation.com/news.php?id=1143. Retrieved 2007-07-18.
- ^ Manning Succeeds Johnson as NFF Chairman
- ^ Jacobi, Adam (11-11-09). "National Football Foundation vacates AD award". CBSSports.com. http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/24156338/33207706. Retrieved 2011-11-9.
External links
- National Football Foundation website
- College Football Hall of Fame website
College football awards Overall trophies Overall media awards Positional awards Bronko Nagurski Trophy (Defenseman) • Chuck Bednarik Award (Defenseman) • Dave Rimington Trophy (Center) • Davey O'Brien Award (Quarterback) • Dick Butkus Award (Linebacker) • Doak Walker Award (Running back) • Fred Biletnikoff Award (Wide receiver) • Jim Thorpe Award (Defensive back) • John Mackey Award (Tight end) • Lombardi Award (Lineman/linebacker) • Lott Trophy (Defenseman) • Lou Groza Award (Placekicker) • Manning Award (Quarterback) • Outland Trophy (Interior lineman) • Ray Guy Award (Punter) • Ted Hendricks Award (Defensive end)Other national player awards Chic Harley Award (Best player) • Archie Griffin Award (Best player) • Bill Willis Trophy (Defensive lineman) • Jack Lambert Trophy (Linebacker) • Jack Tatum Trophy (Defensive back) • Jim Brown Trophy (Running back) • Jim Parker Trophy (Offensive lineman) • Paul Hornung Award (Most versatile) • Sammy Baugh Trophy (Quarterback) • Paul Warfield Trophy (Wide receiver) • Johnny Unitas Award (Senior quarterback)All-Americans Head coaching awards AFCA Coach of the Year (1935) • Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year (1957) • SN Coach of the Year (1963) • Walter Camp Coach of the Year Award (1967) • Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year (1976) • Woody Hayes Trophy (1977) • Paul "Bear" Bryant Award (1986) • Home Depot Coach of the Year (1994) • AP Coach of the Year (1998) • Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award (2006) • Bobby Bowden Coach of the Year Award (2009) • Joseph V. Paterno Award (2010) (formerly the George Munger Award (1989))Assistant coaching awards Conference awards ACC awards • Big 12 awards • Big East awards • Big Ten awards (MVP) • MAC awards • Pac-12 awards • SEC awards • Defunct: SWC awardsDivision I FCS awards Walter Payton Award (Div. I FCS offensive player) • Buck Buchanan Award (Div. I FCS defenseman) • Jerry Rice Award (Div. I FCS freshman) • Eddie Robinson Award (Div. I FCS coach)Other divisions/associations Harlon Hill Trophy (Div. II) • Gagliardi Trophy (Div. III) • Melberger Award (Div. III) • Rawlings Award (NAIA)Academic, inspirational,
and versatility awardsAcademic All-America of the Year (Student-athlete) • Disney's Wide World of Sports Spirit Award • William V. Campbell Trophy (Student-athlete) • Wuerffel Trophy (Humanitarian-athlete) • Lowe's Senior CLASS Award (Student-athlete) • Burlsworth Trophy (Walk-on) • Rudy Award (inspirational/motivational)Service awards Regional awards Nils V. "Swede" Nelson Award (New England Sportsmanship)Halls of fame Categories:- American football trophies and awards
- American football media
- College Football Hall of Fame
- American journalism organizations
- Organizations established in 1947
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