2009 College Football Hall of Fame inductee Chris Spielman will be honored Feb. 8 at the NFF Columbus (Ohio) Chapter event.

Columbus, Ohio, - Dec. 28, 2009 - The Columbus Chapter of The National Football Foundation (NFF) and College Hall of Fame will host its 49th annual Scholar-Athlete Awards Banquet Feb. 8 at 6 p.m. at the University Plaza Hotel, Olentangy River Road.

The chapter will present awards to the top high school and college football scholar-athletes in the Central Ohio Area. The college athletes will include Jim Cordle from Ohio State. Thirteen high school scholar-athletes will accept John H. McConnell and Worthington Industries Foundation Scholarship, which will be presented by Ohio State head football coach Jim Tressel.

Chris Spielman will be honored as the newest Ohio State great to be inducted into the College Hall of Fame. He becomes the 31st former player or coach associated with Ohio State to be recognized.

Jeff Logan, former OSU Football co-captain and past president of the Columbus Chapter of the NFF will receive the 2010 Ohio Gold Award, the group's highest honor, for contributions to amateur football. Former recipients include Eddie George, Archie Griffin, Woody Hayes, Earle Bruce, John Cooper, Gene Smith and Jim Tressel among others.

OSU has a record 20 NFF National Scholar-Athletes, including recent recipients Craig Krenzel (2003 - Campbell Trophy Winner), Ahmed Plummer (1999), Greg Bellisari (1996), Bobby Hoying (1995 - Campbell Trophy Winner), Joey Galloway (1994), and Brian Robiskie (2008).

The annual High School Coaches Award will be presented to Gary Carter, former long-time head football coach at Walnut Ridge and Brookhaven high schools in Columbus.

The Tyson Gentry Courage Award will be given to Dan Potokar, former OSU football player who has successfully battled cancer and been involved as a student assistant coach during his recovery.

The NFF and College Hall of Fame is a member-supported non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring the future of amateur football at local, state and national levels. The foundation with its chapters annually awards nearly $1 million in scholarships to over 3,000 high school and college student athletes for continuing education.

“It’s a wonderful organization and event,” said Bill Wells, president of the Columbus Chapter. “Coach (Woody) Hayes always preached about ‘paying forward.’ For those who played or love college football, this is a great way to support some of the great young people in our local high school and college community. The foundation and it scholarships help mold the leaders of tomorrow through education and football.”

Individual tickets are $75 each and tables of 10 can be purchased for $750. Hall of Fame Sponsor tables (limited) are available for $2500. This includes a private reception, gift and photo opportunity with Tyson Gentry, Dan Potokar, Chris Spielman, Gary Carter and Jeff Logan prior to the event. There will be silent and live auction items at the event. Please call (614) 764-1629 to purchase tickets.

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