Former Wyoming and Purdue head football coach Joe Tiller will deliver the keynote address at the March 20 NFF Wyoming Chapter event.

LARAMIE – Wyoming’s top prep football Scholar-Athlete for 2009 will be chosen from a field of 12 finalists from 11 different state high schools, according to the Wyoming Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, sponsor of the award. The finalists will be honored at the Chapter’s 16th annual awards banquet, set for Saturday, March 20, 2010, at the Hilton Garden Inn and University of Wyoming Conference Center in Laramie.

Additionally, two other prep athletes will be recognized for their courage and perseverance and two University of Wyoming football team members will be honored for their academic and football achievements. All will receive commemorative plaques and $1,200 scholarships from the chapter and the state’s top scholar-athlete, who will be announced at the event, will receive an additional scholarship.

Twelve state residents, including six game-day stadium crew members, will also be recognized during the banquet for their respective contributions to fandom, contributions to amateur football, and achievement in coaching and officiating. The banquet’s keynote address features former Wyoming and Purdue head football coach Joe Tiller, who retired from the Boilermakers at the conclusion of the 2008 collegiate season. Tiller retired to his home in northern Wyoming.

Wyoming Chapter President Mike Schutte said the finalists, both linemen and backs from each division, this year also includes representatives from the state’s new Six Man division. The finalists were chosen from a field of 73 nominations from prep coaches across the state, he said. Recognition as a Scholar-Athlete is based upon a combination of a player’s academic achievement, football skill and community involvement. Each nominee receives a certificate from the Wyoming Chapter.

Schutte said a capacity crowd is anticipated for the popular banquet. “We sold out the banquet last year and ticket sales are running strong again so far this year,” he said. “This is an exciting and motivational evening and anyone can attend.” Tickets are $30 and may be purchased by contacting Kermit or Wendy Sweeny in Worland at 307-347-2979.

The Wyoming Chapter of the NFF-CHF is the second largest, in terms of membership, out of 120 chapters nationwide.

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The Wyoming Chapter Selection Committee, based on the high number of outstanding nominations, chose as finalists, two backs from Class 1-A and two linemen from Class 4-A.

Finalists and Special Award Recipients are:

Class 1-A Six Man
Kyle Redding – Midwest High School – Lineman
Jon Borah – H.E.M. High School – Back

Class 1-A
Jordan Sparks - Cokeville High School – Lineman
Tanner May – Southeast High School – Back
Leland Pfeifer – Hulett High School – Back

Class 2-A
Eric Robinson - Kemmerer High School – Lineman
Colin Herold – Thermopolis High School – Back

Class 3-A
Quentin Kane – Douglas High School – Lineman
Pierre Etchemendy - Douglas High School – Back

Class 4-A
Chris Andrews – Green River High School – Lineman
Levi Henrie – Cheyenne Central High School – Lineman
Austin Woodward - Sheridan High School – Back

University of Wyoming
Weston Johnson –Linebacker
Russ Arnold – Center

Keith & Joyce Bloom Scholar-Athlete Courage Award
Bobby Anderson – Riverside High School

Scholar-Athlete Perseverance Award
Chuck Maike II – Wheatland High School

Outstanding Contribution to Amateur Football
Dave Rangitsch – Saratoga
Bob Matson – Casper
Dennis Rate – Casper
Ed Rate – Casper
David Shutts – Casper
Bruce Heberlein – Casper
Matt Johnson - Casper

Greatest UW Football Fan
Sue Nelson – Laramie
Carrol Orrison – Casper

Greatest High School Football Fan
Lester Fatheree, Jr. – Kemmerer

Ox Zellner Football Official Career Achievement
Mike Harris – Riverton

Football Coach Career Achievement
Carl Mirich – Moorcroft