Volume 4, Issue 19 - National Football Foundation

The National Football Foundation’s Chapter NetworkPresented byJoe Mewhiney Chapter Stages 26th Annual Scholar-Athlete EventMark Duffner, Five-Time College Coach of the Year, Delivers the Keynote AddressThe NFF Joseph R. Mewhiney/Central Mass Chapter heldits 26th Annual Scholar-Athlete Luncheon May 4 at theMarriott Courtyard in Marlborough, Mass., honoring sevenoutstanding high school seniors for their all-round excellence.Claiming a total of $2,200 in scholarships, the impressivegroup included Tyler Bennett, Northbridge HS; NicholasBrunelle, Hudson HS; Nick D’Antonio, Milford HS; Ryan Kim,Westboro HS; Chris Louoney, Oakmont HS; Adam Peloquin,David Prouty HS; and Matt Polnerow of West Boylston HS.The crowd of more than 200 people enjoyed the keynoteaddress given by current Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker coachMark Duffner. Prior to coaching in the NFL, the William andMary graduate held the head coaching job at Maryland and HolyCross. He compiled a remarkable 60-5-1 mark at Holy Crossand was named National Coach of the Year Five times during hissix-year tenure.The chapter also honored the MVP’s from last fall’s High SchoolSuper Bowl teams and presented an award to Jim Wilson ofthe Worcester Telegram and Gazette for his contribution as amember of the media covering local football. Longtime refereePete Trainor claimed the chapter’s Contribution to Football byan Official Award, and Jim Bergenholtz and Mike Pucko bothtook home Contributions to Football Awards.Strong leadership from Chapter President Ken Tucker, formerpresident and chapter namesake Joe Mewhiney, Richie Lewis,Dutch Holland, Jeff Long place the group in the vanguard ofpromoting the scholar-athlete ideal in the Bay State. The chapter’sother activities include a football clinic at Holy Cross and theChowder Bowl All-Star Game hosted in conjunction with theNFF Eastern Massachusetts Chapter and played at SpringfieldCollege (MA) for the benefit of the Shriner Hospital.Chapter Leaders Richie Lewis, former Wachussett HS AD; Jeff Long, former Marlboro HS AD; Ken Tucker,chapter president; Joe Mewhiney, chapter founder; Dutch Holland, former Shrewsbury AD and headfootball coach.Shrewsbury HS QB Jawad Yatim celebrates histeams win in the Division 1 High School SuperBowl. He was honored at the chapter event for hisMVP performance.Dan Halley (with ball) of East Longmeadow HS washonored by the chapter as the MVP of the Division2 High School Super Bowl.The NFF’s Central Mass. Chapter and Eastern Mass. Chapter annually stage the Shrine Chowder Bowl HighSchool All-Star Game played at Springfield College (MA).2008 Joe Mewhiney Chapter Scholar-Athletes.www.footballfoundation.org Page 3August 27, 2008

The National Football Foundation’s Chapter NetworkPresented byDon Nehlen Chapter Luncheon Kicks Off HS All-Star GameHall Famer Sam Huff and Mountaineer Coach Bill Stewart AttendThe most talented high school players in West Virginiaturned out for the 9th Annual NFF Don Nehlen ChapterScholar-Athlete Luncheon June 21. Held prior to theAnnual West Virginia North vs. South High School All-StarClassic, the luncheon precedes the big game on the campus ofthe University of Charleston (WV).With all the players from both All-Star squads attending theluncheon, 21 participants met the threshold for recognitionas chapter scholar-athletes. Bishop Donahue High Schoollinebacker David Richmond won the prestigious Simms FamilyScholarship, which is named for the highly-successful WestVirginia family that includes Bob Simms who played at Rutgersand is a member of the NFF’s national board of directors.College and Pro Football Hall of Famer and West Virginia nativeSam Huff (U. of West Virginia, Giants and Redskins) attendedalong with Mountaineers coach Bill Stewart who claimed theFrank Loria Award. Named for College Football Hall of FamerFrank Loria (Virginia Tech), the award honors an individual forhis success as a coach. Loria, who became an assistant coachat Marshall, died tragically at the age of 23 in the Nov. 14, 1970plane crash that killed all the Thundering Herd players andcoaches on board.Ralph Hensley, head coach at Riverside HS and gamedirector of the North vs. South All-Star Classic, received the SamHuff Award for his dedication to the game of football.Chapter President Paul Moran, the NFF’s 2006 MidwestChapter Leadership Award Winner, and newly-elected vicepresident Mike Dunlap lead the chapter, which continues toexpand. In addition to helping coordinate the All-Star Classic,Dunlap has played a major role in dramatically increasing chaptermembership and is organizing a football “speed” camp in 2009.The chapter is named in honor of West VirginiaCollege Football Hall of Fame Coach Don Nehlen.Clarksburg W VA native and college football Hallof Fame member Frank Loria died in the 1970Marshall University plane crash while he wasserving as an assistant coach.Sam Huff attended the chapter’s scholar-athlete luncheon and High School All-Star Classic on June 21.First year Mountaineers Coach Bill Stewart received the chapter’s Frank Loria Award for many years in thecoaching profession.The Don Nehlen Chapter honors high school scholar-athletes who participated in the annual North vs.South All-Star Classic played on campus of the University of Charleston (WV).www.footballfoundation.org August 27, 2008Page 4