"I
want to congratulate the National Football Foundation on your 54th Annual Awards
Dinner and showcasing the best ideals of college football. Football and other
intercollegiate sports are important to great universities. So many schools are
so large and so disaggregated that football is one of the few activities that
can bring an entire campus in one common activity and in one common purpose – to
cheer their team on to victory."
"College
football, for many young people in America, on television is the first
glimpse they have of higher education, even if it is only a handful of 60-second
spots. Precisely because intercollegiate athletics, and particularly football,
are so important in communicating the values and the image of the institution it
is imperative that chancellors, presidents and others in positions of authority
take ownership and responsibility for ensuring that our programs strive always
to achieve the ethical and academic excellence espoused by the National Football
Foundation and ensure that appropriate measures are taken when the programs fall
short."
"I
am deeply honored to be here this evening and to receive this Gold Medal. I am
also honored to be here with so many great coaches and great players who have
brought so much enjoyment to fans all over America, and
brought such pain to each other."
