Larry Kentera, long-time Arizona State defensive coordinator and head coach at Northern Arizona University, will be honored with the Pete Altieri Lifetime Achievement Coaching Award.

PHOENIX, March 3, 2010 –The largest crowd in the 29-year history of The Scottsdale Plaza Resort National Football Foundation Valley of the Sun Chapter Scholar-Athlete Banquet will pack the ballroom of the Plaza Resort this Saturday evening. Ticket sales have reached 510, and none are left.

“In a difficult economy, this truly is a tribute to our scholar-athletes and other award winners,” said chapter president Janie Riddle. “It also speaks for the passion so many of us share for football.”

The banquet will be preceded by a lively outdoor tailgate party. Colorful tents and an enormous ASU-colored party bus will serve as the backdrop for the “pre-game” party. In addition to finger food and beverages, attendees will be able to enjoy bidding on dozens of items in a silent auction of Fiesta Bowl, Arizona State, and Arizona Cardinals collectibles.

The architect of the tailgate concept, which was instituted last year, is Nikki Balich-Cammarata, who will receive this year’s Chapter Leadership Award for her creativity and hard work on two successive, highly successful banquet events.

The seven living founders of the Fiesta Bowl, which will stage its 40th game next January, will receive the Distinguished Arizonan Award from the NFF chapter.

Larry Kentera, long-time Arizona State defensive coordinator and head coach at Northern Arizona University, will be honored with the Pete Altieri Lifetime Achievement Coaching Award.

Dave Alvarez, a high school football official for 22 years and currently in his 26th year of teaching at Fees Middle School in Tempe, will be honored with the Bob Madrid Outstanding Officials Award.

Darius Leopaul, a senior wide-receiver and defensive back at Phoenix Central High School, will be awarded the second annual Shaw Courage Award. Originally from Lafayette, La., Darius and part of his family were displaced in part by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and since then the 18-year-old has chosen to stay in Arizona to live and work on his own to complete his degree at Central, where he is an honor student.

At the heart of the event also will be 40 young Arizonans, first and second team and honorable mention high schoolers, and college honoree, all selected for their scholarship, community service, and football ability from the nominations of their coaches.

“We so look forward to a record-setting event in the beautiful venue of our prime sponsor, The Scottsdale Plaza Resort. Saturday should be quite special,” said Ms. Riddle.

NFF