NFF Faculty Salutes, Presented by Fidelity Investments

NFF Faculty Salutes, Presented by Fidelity Investments

Fidelity InvestmentsLaunched in 2011 by Fidelity Investments and the National Football Foundation (NFF), the NFF Faculty Salutes are an extension of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards Program that provides postgraduate scholarships for college football’s elite student-athletes. Fidelity, the presenting sponsor of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards, has taken on a leadership role with the program as a natural extension of its ongoing support of the scholar-athlete ideal and commitment to higher education nationwide.

As part of the program, each school with a member of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments receives recognition for their faculty athletics representative, and a $5,000 donation per school from Fidelity will be made to support the academic support services for student-athletes at each school. The salutes have recognized 184 FARs since the program's inception, and Fidelity has made a total of $920,000 in donations.

"Honoring the faculty athletics representatives from the schools with NFF National Scholar-Athletes sends a powerful message," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning. "There is no group more committed to the well-being of our student-athletes, and the NFF National Scholar-Athlete success stories provide a natural vehicle for emphasizing the important contributions of the faculty athletics representatives across the country."

"We appreciate the opportunity to team up with the National Football Foundation to recognize the important contributions faculty athletics representatives make in the development and well-being of scholar-athletes, both on the field and in the classroom," said Sangeeta Moorjani, head of Tax-Exempt and Retirement Solutions at Fidelity Investments. "Today's scholar-athletes navigate academics, athletic and personal responsibilities every day, and faculty athletics representatives play an increasingly critical role in ensuring this next generation can confidently maintain a successful path."

The NFF consulted with the 1A Faculty Athletics Representatives (1A FAR) to design the initiative, and the organizations continue to collaborate on its implementation. In 2015, the 1A FAR presented Fidelity with its "Friend of FAR" Award for its efforts with the program, and the group honored the NFF with the same award in 2016.
 
"We are pleased to support the National Football Foundation and its programs, which celebrate outstanding football scholar-athletes and the hard work of faculty athletics representatives," said 1A FAR president Dr. Donald Bruce, Director of the Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Tennessee and a professor in the Department of Economics who serves as the Volunteers' FAR. "The National Football Foundation has joined with Fidelity Investments not only to recognize the work of the FARs at an array of campuses each year, but to support academic services on campuses for student-athletes and to award significant postgraduate scholarships to outstanding football student-athletes.
 
"These programs emphasize that success as a student-athlete is about more than just athletic accomplishments on the field. Participating in college athletics provides the opportunity for a top-flight education at our nation's finest institutions of higher education and facilitates the development of unparalleled leadership skills."
  The 2023 NFF Faculty Athletics Representatives Honorees
(Names of each school's NFF National Scholar-Athlete in parentheses)
  • Benedict College (SC), Dr. Melvin Miller (Loobert Denelus, DE, 3.96 GPA)
  • Duke University, Dr. Linda Franzoni (DeWayne Carter, DT, 3.47 GPA)
  • Johns Hopkins Univ. (MD), Dr. William Smedick (Luke Schuermann, DE, 3.61 GPA)
  • Kansas State University, Dr. Shawna Jordan (Cooper Beebe, OL, 3.84 GPA)
  • North Carolina Central Univ., Dr. Deborah Fortune (Davius Richard, QB, 3.59 GPA)
  • Penn State University, Dr. Dennis Scanlon (Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, 3.45 GPA)
  • The College of the Holy Cross, Dr. Sarah Petty (Jacob Dobbs, LB, 3.76 GPA)
  • United States Military Academy, Col. (Ret.) Joseph Hanus (Leo Lowin, LB, 3.92 GPA)
  • University of Georgia, David Shipley (Ladd McConkey, WR, 3.85 GPA)
  • University of Maryland, Dr. Bradley Hatfield (Taulia Tagovailoa, QB, 3.61 GPA)
  • University of Michigan, Dr. Ketra Armstrong (Zak Zinter, OL, 3.53 GPA)
  • University of Notre Dame, Patricia Bellia (JD Bertrand, LB, 3.62 GPA)
  • University of Oregon, Joshua Gordon (Bo Nix, QB, 3.62 GPA)
  • Wabash College (IN), Dr. Dan Rogers (Liam Thompson, QB, 3.87 GPA)
  • Wartburg College (IA), Dr. Todd Reiher (Owen Grover, LB, 3.99 GPA)
  • West Virginia University, Dr. Robert Gerbo (Zach Frazier, C, 3.88 GPA)

The 2022 NFF Faculty Athletics Representatives Honorees
(Names of each school's NFF National Scholar-Athlete in parentheses)
  • Auburn University, Dr. Beverly Marshall (Anders Carlson, PK, 3.92 GPA)
  • College of the Holy Cross, Dr. Sarah Petty (Peter Oliver, RB, 3.95 GPA)
  • Fordham University, Dr. Patricio Meneses (Ryan Greenhagen, LB, 3.85 GPA)
  • Johns Hopkins University (MD), Dr. William Smedick (JR Woods, OL, 3.65 GPA)
  • Kansas State University, Dr. Be Stoney (Adrian Martinez, QB, 3.55 GPA)
  • Mississippi State University, Dr. Brent Fountain (Austin Williams, WR, 4.00 GPA)
  • Saint John's University (MN), Ben Trnka (Michael Wozniak, DL, 3.86 GPA)
  • Stanford University, Dr. Jeffrey Koseff (Walter Rouse, OT, 3.52 GPA)
  • Troy University, Dr. Fred Green (Austin Stidham, OL, 3.92 GPA)
  • University of Chicago (IL), Dr. Gary Herrigel (Nicholas D'Ambrose, RB, 3.69 GPA)
  • University of Dayton, Dr. Kimberly Trick (Jake Chisholm, RB, 3.98 GPA)
  • University of Iowa, Dr. Nicole Grosland & Dr. Liz Hollingworth (Jack Campbell, LB, 3.49 GPA)
  • University of Texas at San Antonio, Dr. Gregg Michel (Ahofitu Maka, OL, 3.78 GPA)
  • Wayne State University (MI), Dr. Timothy Butler (Julius Wilkerson, LB, 3.85 GPA)
  • Yale University, Dr. George Levesque (Oso Ifesinachukwu, DL, 3.67 GPA) 

The 2021 NFF Faculty Athletics Representatives Honorees
(Names of each school's NFF National Scholar-Athlete in parentheses)
  • Iowa State University, Dr. Timothy Day (Charlie Kolar, TE, 3.99 GPA)
  • Lindsey Wilson College (KY), Tim Curry (Cameron Dukes, QB, 3.89 GPA)
  • Montana State University, Dr. George Haynes (Troy Andersen, LB, 3.91 GPA)
  • Penn State University, Dr. Dennis Scanlon (Sean Clifford, QB, 3.45 GPA)
  • Slippery Rock University (PA), Dr. Joanne Leight (Henry Litwin, WR, 3.66 GPA)
  • Stanford University, Dr. Jeffrey Koseff (Thomas Booker, DE, 3.88 GPA)
  • United States Merchant Marine Academy (NY), Michael Ales (Joshua King, LB, 3.73 GPA)
  • University of Arkansas, Gerald Jordan (Grant Morgan, LB, 3.66 GPA)
  • University of Michigan, Dr. Ketra Armstrong (Aidan Hutchinson, DE, 3.54 GPA)
  • University of Oklahoma, Dr. Gregg Garn (Patrick Fields, DB, 3.82 GPA)
  • University of Wisconsin, Dr. Peter Miller (Matt Henningsen, DE, 4.00 GPA)
  • West Virginia University, Dr. Maria Kolar (Sean Mahone, S, 3.60 GPA)
  • Western Michigan University, Dr. Luchara Wallace (Mike Caliendo, OL, 3.90 GPA)

The 2020 NFF Faculty Athletics Representatives Honorees
(Names of each school's NFF National Scholar-Athlete in parentheses)
  • Abilene Christian University, Dr. Jonathan Stewart (Jack Gibbens, LB, 4.00 GPA)
  • Alabama State University, Dr. Carmela Drake (Ezra Gray, RB, 4.00 GPA)
  • Boise State University, Dr. Roger Munger (Kekaula Kaniho, DB, 3.94 GPA)
  • Grand Valley State University (MI), Dr. Paul Leidig (Tyler Bradfield, LB, 3.99 GPA)
  • Hampden-Sydney College (VA), Dr. Saranna Thornton (Tyler Howerton, OL, 4.00 GPA)
  • Illinois State University, Dr. Jeri Beggs (Drew Himmelman, OT, 3.82 GPA)
  • United States Naval Academy, Dr. Christine Copper (Cameron Kinley, CB, 3.32 GPA)
  • University of Memphis, Lynda Black (Brady White, QB, 3.58 GPA)
  • University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Dr. Jeffrey Leak (Tyriq Harris, DE, 3.68 GPA)
  • University of Tennessee, Dr. Donald Bruce (Brandon Kennedy, OL, 3.55 GPA)
  • University of Texas, Dr. Michael Clement (Sam Ehlinger, QB, 3.42 GPA)
  • University of Washington, Dr. Alexes Harris (Elijah Molden, DB, 3.56 GPA)

The 2019 NFF Faculty Athletics Representatives Honorees
(Names of each school's NFF National Scholar-Athlete in parentheses)
  • Carnegie Mellon University (PA), Susan Polansky (Michael Lohmeier, DE, 4.00 GPA)
  • Cornell University, John Sipple (Jelani Taylor, S, 3.96 GPA)
  • Eastern Washington University, Laurie Morley (Spencer Blackburn, C, 3.69 GPA)
  • Kansas State University, Be Stoney (Adam Holtorf, C, 3.92 GPA)
  • Minnesota State University, Jeffrey Pribyl (Alex Goettl, LB, 3.93 GPA)
  • Ohio State University, John Davidson (Jordan Fuller, S, 3.60 GPA)
  • Stanford University, Jeffrey Koseff (Casey Toohill, LB, 3.71 GPA)
  • University of Georgia, David Shipley (Rodrigo Blankenship, PK, 3.71 GPA)
  • University of Montana, Charles Palmer (Dante Olson, LB, 3.90 GPA)
  • University of Oregon, Tim Gleason (Justin Herbert, QB, 4.01 GPA)
  • University of Virginia, Carrie Heilman (Jordan Mack, LB, 3.47 GPA)
  • Western Michigan University, Lisa DeChano-Cook (Jon Wassink, QB, 3.96 GPA)

The 2018 NFF Faculty Athletics Representatives Honorees
(Names of each school's NFF National Scholar-Athlete in parentheses)
  • Clemson University, Janie Hodge (Christian Wilkins, DL, 3.33 GPA)
  • Grambling State University, Bobby Burkes (De'Arius Christmas, LB, 3.82 GPA)
  • Kansas State University, Be Stoney (Dalton Risner, OL, 3.60 GPA)
  • North Carolina State University, Joel Pawlak (Ryan Finley, QB, 3.76 GPA)
  • North Dakota State University, Ann Burnett (Easton Stick, QB, 3.92 GPA)
  • Northern Illinois University, Mark Groza (Max Scharping, OL, 3.99 GPA)
  • Penn State University, Dennis Scanlon (Trace McSorley, QB, 3.31 GPA)
  • South Dakota State University, Rich Reid (Taryn Christion, QB, 3.61 GPA)
  • United States Military Academy, Holly West (Kenneth Brinson, LB, 3.96 GPA)
  • University of Notre Dame, Patricia Bellia (Drue Tranquill, LB, 3.73 GPA)
  • University of Saint Francis (Ind.), Matt Hopf (Piercen Harnish, LB, 3.96 GPA)
  • University of Wisconsin, Peter Miller and Jeanette Roberts (D'Cota Dixon, S, 3.32 GPA)
  • Wheaton College (Ill.), Andy Abernethy (Eric Stevenson, LB, 3.83 GPA)

The 2017 NFF Faculty Athletics Representatives Honorees
(Names of each school's NFF National Scholar-Athlete in parentheses)
  • Arkansas State University, Karen McDaniel (Blaise Taylor, CB, 3.84 GPA)
  • Boise State University, Roger Munger (Mason Hampton, C, 3.97 GPA)
  • Carnegie Mellon University (Pa.), Susan Polansky (Sam Benger, RB, 3.67 GPA)
  • Georgia State University, George Pierce (Chandon Sullivan, DB, 3.84 GPA)
  • Jacksonville State University, Maureen Newton (Justin Lea, OL, 3.92 GPA)
  • Northwestern University, Robert Gundlach (Justin Jackson, RB, 3.23 GPA)
  • Oklahoma State University, Stephen Clarke (Brad Lundblade, C, 3.88 GPA)
  • Slippery Rock University (Pa.), Joanne Leight (Marcus Martin, DE, 3.56 GPA)
  • South Dakota State University, Rich Reid (Jake Wieneke, WR, 3.63 GPA)
  • Stephen F. Austin State University, Ken Collier (Marlon Walls, S, 4.00 GPA)
  • University of Miami (Fla.), Marvin Dawkins (Braxton Berrios, WR, 3.96 GPA)
  • University of Nebraska, Josephine Potuto (Chris Weber, LB, 3.96 GPA)
  • University of Virginia, Carolyn Callahan (Micah Kiser, LB, 3.42 GPA)
  The 2016 NFF Faculty Athletics Representatives Honorees
(Names of each school’s NFF National Scholar-Athlete in parentheses)
  • Brigham Young University, David Hart (Taysom Hill, QB, 3.45 GPA) 
  • Central Michigan University, Kevin Love (Cooper Rush, QB, 3.86 GPA) 
  • Delta State University (Miss.), Cooper Johnson (Tyler Sullivan, QB, 3.68 GPA) 
  • Duke University, Martha Putallaz (DeVon Edwards, S, 3.35 GPA) 
  • East Carolina University, Cal Christian (Zay Jones, WR, 3.56 GPA) 
  • Saint John's University (Minn.), Ken Jones (Carter Hanson, LB, 4.00 GPA) 
  • San Jose State University, Sen Chiao (Tim Crawley, WR, 3.78 GPA) 
  • University of Arkansas, Sharon Hunt (Brooks Ellis, LB, 3.82 GPA) 
  • University of Dayton, Kimberly Trick (Chris Beaschler, LB, 3.72 GPA) 
  • University of Northern Iowa, Elaine Eshbaugh (Karter Schult, DL, 3.87 GPA) 
  • Wake Forest University, Peter Brubaker (Ryan Janvion, S, 3.53 GPA) 
  • Western Michigan University, Lisa DeChano-Cook (Zach Terrell, QB, 3.66 GPA)
  The 2015 NFF Faculty Athletics Representatives Honorees
(Names of each school’s NFF National Scholar-Athlete in parentheses)
  • Baylor University, Jeremy Counseller (Spencer Drango, OT, 3.71 GPA) 
  • Ferris State University (Mich.), Kim Hancock (Jason Vander Laan, QB, 3.77 GPA) 
  • Kent State University, Kathy Wilson (Jordan Italiano, S, 3.98 GPA) 
  • Mississippi State University, Steven Turner (Taveze Calhoun, DB, 3.51 GPA) 
  • Ohio State University, John Bruno (Jacoby Boren, C, 3.83 GPA) 
  • Unites States Naval Academy, Christine Copper (E.K. Binns, OG, 3.43 GPA) 
  • University of California, Los Angeles, Michael Teitell (Jake Brendel, C, 3.43 GPA) 
  • University of Massachusetts, Rebecca Spencer (Blake Frohnapfel, QB, 3.65 GPA) 
  • University of Montana, Dusten Hollist (Derek Crittenden, DE, 4.00 GPA) 
  • University of Mount Union (Ohio), Scott Mason (Hank Spencer, LB, 3.99 GPA) 
  • University of Nevada, David Croasdell (Jordan Dobrich, LB, 3.85 GPA) 
  • University of Oklahoma, Kelly Damphousse (Ty Darlington, C, 3.91 GPA)
  The 2014 NFF Faculty Athletics Representatives Honorees
(Names of each school’s NFF National Scholar-Athlete in parentheses)
  • Arizona State University, Jeffrey Wilson (Taylor Kelly, QB, 3.31 GPA) 
  • Concordia University Wisconsin, Karl Knorr (Austin Damaschke, QB, 3.67 GPA) 
  • Duke University, Martha Putallaz (David Helton, LB, 3.64 GPA) 
  • Henderson State University (Ark.), Patrick Wempe (Kevin Rodgers, QB, 3.82 GPA) 
  • Indiana University, Kurt Zorn (Mark Murphy, S, 3.85 GPA) 
  • Kansas State University, Be Stoney (Tyler Lockett, WR, 3.24 GPA) 
  • Michigan State University, Sue Carter (Mike Sadler, P, 3.97 GPA) 
  • Missouri State University, Jim Hutter (Caleb Schaffitzel, S, 3.93 GPA) 
  • Northern Arizona University, Debbie Craig (Austin Hasquet, LB, 3.97 GPA) 
  • Northwestern University, Robert Gundlach (Brandon Vitabile, C, 3.56 GPA) 
  • South Dakota State University, Richard Reid (Zach Zenner, RB, 3.87 GPA) 
  • Stanford University, Al Camarillo (Jordan Richards, S, 3.31 GPA)
  • Tarleton State University (Texas), Robert Newby (Charles Moore, S, 3.83 GPA) 
  • Trinity College (Conn.), Christoph Geiss (Mike Mancini, S, 3.82 GPA) 
  • United States Military Academy, Cindy Jebb (Terry Baggett, RB, 3.37 GPA) 
  • University of Texas at San Antonio, Gregg Michel (Nate Leonard, C, 3.99 GPA)
  • Yale University, Penelope Laurans (Tyler Varga, TB, 3.56 GPA)
  The 2013 NFF Faculty Athletics Representatives Honorees
(Names of each school’s NFF National Scholar-Athlete in parentheses)
  • Appalachian State University, Alan Hauser (Tony Washington, WR, 3.80 GPA) 
  • Augustana College (Ill.), John Delaney (Erik Westerberg, LB, 3.86 GPA) 
  • Coastal Carolina University, Sharon Thompson (Niccolo Mastromatteo, WR/PR, 3.94 GPA) 
  • Cornell University, Deb Perosio (Jeff Mathews, QB, 3.45 GPA) 
  • Duke University, Martha Putallaz (Perry Simmons, OT, 3.83 GPA) 
  • Fresno State, Dawn Lewis (Derek Carr, QB, 3.47 GPA) 
  • Johns Hopkins University (Md.), Tristan Davies (John Arena, LB, 4.00 GPA) 
  • Michigan State University, Michael Kasavana (Max Bullough, LB, 3.56 GPA) 
  • Northwest Missouri State University, Matt Walker (Trevor Adams, QB, 3.94 GPA) 
  • Pennsylvania State University, Linda Caldwell (John Urschel, OG, 4.00 GPA) 
  • University of Georgia, David Shipley (Aaron Murray, QB, 3.30 GPA) 
  • University of Iowa, Ellie Herman and Gene Parkin (James Morris, LB, 3.84 GPA)
  • University of Nebraska, Josephine Potuto (Spencer Long, OL, 3.79 GPA) 
  • University of Oklahoma, Kelly Damphousse (Gabe Ikard, OL, 4.00 GPA) 
  • University of Texas at San Antonio, Gregg Michel (Eric Soza, QB, 3.96 GPA) 
  • West Texas A&M University, David Rausch (Dustin Vaughan, QB, 3.86 GPA)
  The 2012 NFF Faculty Athletics Representatives Honorees
(Names of each school’s NFF National Scholar-Athlete in parentheses)
  • Baylor University, Mike Rogers (Nick Florence, QB, 3.79 GPA)
  • Duke University, Martha Putallaz (Sean Renfree, QB, 3.40 GPA)
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Hank Smith (Ethan Peterson, OL, 3.83 GPA)
  • Northern Illinois University, Matt Streb (Nabal Jefferson, DT, 3.78 GPA)
  • Northwestern University,  Robert Gundlach (Patrick Ward, OT, 3.94 GPA)
  • Robert Morris University, Scott Branvold (Nolan Nearhoof, DE, 3.73 GPA)
  • Saint Xavier University (Ill.), Barbara Becker (Shane Zackery, WR, 3.71 GPA)
  • Syracuse University, Mike Wasylenko (Ryan Nassib, QB, 3.57 GPA)
  • Texas Tech University, Brian Shannon (Cody Davis, S, 3.70 GPA)
  • University of Alabama, Kevin Whitaker (Barrett Jones, C, 4.00 GPA)
  • University of Mount Union (Ohio), Scott Mason (Nick Driskill, S, 3.77 GPA)
  • University of Nebraska, Josephine Potuto (Rex Burkhead, RB, 3.43 GPA)
  • University of Notre Dame, Patricia Bellia (Manti Te’o, LB, 3.32 GPA)
  • University of Southern California, Clare Pastore (Matt Barkley, QB, 3.21 GPA)
  • West Texas A&M University, David Rausch (Aaron Mullane, OL, 3.84 GPA)
  The 2011 NFF Faculty Athletics Representatives Honorees
(Names of each school’s NFF National Scholar-Athlete in parentheses)
  • Colorado School of Mines, Richard Wendlandt (Clay Garcia, QB, 3.91 GPA)
  • Delta State University (Miss.), Cooper Johnson (Micah Davis, QB,4.0 GPA)
  • Kansas State University, BeEtta Stoney (Tysyn Hartman, DB, 3.57 GPA)
  • Michigan State University, Michael Kasavana (Kirk Cousins, QB, 3.68 GPA)
  • Northern Illinois University, Jan Rintala (Chandler Harnish, QB, 3.65 GPA)
  • Northwestern State University, Joseph Jody Biscoe (Yaser Elqutub, LB, 3.85 GPA)
  • Purdue University, Jeff Bolin & Christie Sahley (Joe Holland, DB, 3.96 GPA)
  • Texas A&M University, Thomas Adair (Ryan Tannehill, QB, 3.63 GPA)
  • U.S. Military Academy, Colonel Cindy Jebb (Andrew Rodriguez, LB, 4.14 GPA)
  • U.S. Naval Academy, Christine Copper (John Dowd, OG, 3.91 GPA)
  • University of Dubuque (Iowa), Jean Holdener & Jonathan Barz (Michael Zweifel, WR, 3.90 GPA)
  • University of Georgia, David Shipley (Drew Butler, P, 3.62 GPA) 
  • University of South Dakota, Christina Keller (Chris Ganious, RB, 3.81 GPA)
  • University of South Florida, John Belohlavek (Chaz Hine, OL, 3.86 GPA)
  • Washington State University, Ken Casavant (Jared Karstetter, WR, 3.61 GPA)
  • Yale University, Penelope Laurans (Patrick Witt, QB, 3.91 GPA)