DALLAS, Nov. 23, 2009 – The National Football Foundation (NFF) announced today that distinguished NFL and former UCLA coach Dick Vermeil will emcee the 2009 NFF Chapter Awards Luncheon, presented by Sprinturf, at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City on December 8, 2009 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. EST.

“We are extremely excited that Coach Vermeil has agreed to lend his talents to emcee this high-profile NFF event, which highlights the best and brightest from our chapter network,” said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. “Coach Vermeil has built a reputation as one of the most-respected coaches to ever walk the sidelines, and his presence significantly enhances our efforts to engage leaders in grassroots activities that strengthen our sport for future generations. We are particularly grateful to Sprinturf for their support of the event and making the event happen.”

The event will include the presentation of the NFF National High School Scholar-Athlete Awards. Selected from the 400,000 high school football players covered by the NFF Chapter Network, the five high scholar-athletes were chosen as the best in the nation for their combined athletic, academic and leadership skills. The Chapter Leadership Awards will also be presented at the event, recognizing five individuals, one from each region, for their efforts in fulfilling the NFF’s mission at the local level.

"I am honored to be a part of this year's Scholar-Athlete program. I am looking forward to meeting these fine young gentlemen and sharing the podium with Stanley Greene and my friends at Sprinturf."

2009 NFF National High School Scholar-Athlete Honorees
(Currently freshmen in college, the award is solely based on their high school accomplishments)

* Brenton Caprio - East Region – Mainland Regional HS – Linwood, N.J. – South Jersey Chapter
(Now at The College of William & Mary)

* John Gilboy – Northeast Region – Thornton Academy – Saco, Maine – State of Maine Chapter
(Now at Colby College, Maine)

* Matt Lancaster – Midwest Region – West Lafayette HS – West Lafayette, Ind. – Joe Tiller/Northwest Indiana Chapter (Now at Illinois State University)

* Gavin Mills – West Region – Powell Senior HS – Powell, Wyo. – Wyoming Chapter
(Now at the U.S. Air Force Academy)

* Jamal-Rashad Patterson – South Region – Henry County HS – McDonough, Ga. – Greater Atlanta Chapter (Now at Stanford University)

2009 NFF Chapter Leadership Award Recipients

* Thomas J. Bara – East Region (Bill Denny/Central Jersey Chapter)

* Brian Fogarty – West Region (Walter J. Zable/San Diego Chapter)

* Trey Johnston – South Region (Auburn (Ala.) Chapter)

* Alex Rotsko – Northeast Region (Western Massachusetts Chapter)

* Jim Vruggink – Midwest Region (Joe Tiller/Northwest Indiana Chapter)

Vermeil concluded one of the most distinguished coaching careers in NFL history in 2006, officially retiring after 15 seasons as coach with the Kansas City Chiefs, the St. Louis Rams and the Philadelphia Eagles. Vermeil’s lasting contributions to the game of the football date back far longer than his tenure in pro football which began in ‘69. He owns the rare distinction of being named “Coach of the Year” on four levels: high school, junior college, NCAA Division I and the NFL. And he posted major wins in both college and the NFL, leading UCLA to a Rose Bowl victory after the 1975 season and the Rams to the Super Bowl title after the 1999 season.

One of just five head coaches in NFL history to take three different teams to the playoffs (Chuck Knox, Dan Reeves, Bill Parcells and Marty Schottenheimer) Vermeil stands among the NFL’s all-time coaching elite. Combined with a 6-5 (.545) career postseason record that included a perfect 3-0 mark during the Rams’ 2000 Super Bowl victory, Vermeil’s final overall NFL head coaching record posted at 126-114.

A native of Calistoga California, Vermeil graduated in 1959 with an M.A. from San Jose State University, where he was the backup quarterback. After serving as assistant coach for San Jose’s Del Mar High School football team for one season and for Hillsdale High School in nearby San Mateo, he then went to Foothill College with coach Bill Walker. In 1965, he coached Stanford University's freshman football team.

Vermeil was hired as the NFL's first ever Special Teams coach by George Allen's Los Angeles Rams in 1969. Except for 1970, when he was an assistant coach with UCLA, he would remain with the Rams until 1974 when he was named as head coach by UCLA.

Vermeil compiled a 15–5–3 record in two seasons (1974–1975) as head coach at UCLA, including a 9–2–1 record in 1975 when Vermeil led the Bruins to their first conference championship in 10 years, and a win in the Rose Bowl over an undefeated and top ranked Ohio State.

For more information about the lunch and to purchase tickets, please contact Ron Dilatush at 800.486.1865 or rdilatush@footballfoundation.com. The event precedes the NFF Annual Awards Dinner, which includes the induction of the 2009 Football Bowl Subdivision Class into the College Football Hall of Fame; the presentation of the NFF Major Awards; the awarding of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards; and the bestowing of the 20th William V. Campbell Trophy. All of the honorees from the luncheon will be recognized during the dinner.

ABOUT SPRINTURF
Sprinturf (www.sprinturf.com) is a leading U.S. based provider of synthetic and artificial playing surfaces. Founded in 1999, Sprinturf’s patented all-rubber infill and Ultrablade™ turf system plays as close to a natural grass field in pristine condition as is possible but requires virtually none of the maintenance – providing superior safety and performance for all users from professional and collegiate athletes to young children. The company has delivered over 350 athletic playing surfaces to marquee customers including The Philadelphia Eagles, The University of Pennsylvania, UCLA, Auburn University, The U.S. Naval Academy and many others worldwide.

About The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame:
Founded in 1947 with leadership from General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl “Red” Blaik and immortal journalist Grantland Rice, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame, a non-profit educational organization, runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship and athletic achievement in young people. With 121 chapters and 12,000 members nationwide, NFF programs include the College Football Hall of Fame, the NFF Hampshire Honor Society, Play It Smart, the NFF-FWAA Football Forum, the NFF Gridiron Clubs of New York City, Dallas and Los Angeles, and scholarships of over $1 million for college and high school scholar-athletes. The NFF awards the MacArthur Trophy, the Campbell Trophy, endowed by HealthSouth, and releases the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) Standings. Learn more at www.footballfoundation.org.


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