The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Football Hall of Fame and Fidelity Investments^®, a leading provider of not-for-profit workplace retirement savings plans in higher education, announced an expanded initiative between the two organizations to celebrate the scholar-athlete ideal and a commitment to higher education.

As part of the agreement, Fidelity will serve as the first presenting sponsor of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards in the 53-year history of the prestigious program, which honors outstanding student athletes with scholarships to continue their post-graduate education. The firm will also sponsor the NFF Scholar-Athlete Reception and additional activities associated with the NFF Annual Awards Dinner honoring the annual NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class in New York City in early December.

To promote the achievements of the recipients, Fidelity will work with ESPN to produce a series of short television segments about the 2011 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class, which annually recognizes the top 15 individuals in the country for their academic success, football performance and exemplary community leadership. The segments will also include a special feature on the recipient of the William V. Campbell Trophy winner, who is recognized by the NFF as the top football scholar-athlete in the nation. All of the segments will air on ESPN's College Football Live on Thursdays from September through early December.