The University of Georgia chapter of the National Football Foundation recently hosted its 38th annual awards banquet before a packed house at the Athens Country Club.
UGA's chapter has enjoyed No. 1 status in the NFF network of chapters in the country for over 12 years, and this was, perhaps, the highest attendance in the chapter's history.
An energetic live auction, orchestrated by auctioneer Louis Tonsmeire of Cartersville, was a highlight of the evening and contributed significantly to chapter funds with an assortment of items and a highlight of the evening.
Board member Mike Cheek presented the Delta award for the player with the closest tee shot on the par three No. 17th hole, which was won by former Georgia running back Glynn Harrison.
The church's goal has always been to honor those of the past and present, strike a goodwill nerve in the community, and raise money for charity. The leading charity is the NFF's Playit-Smart program, which makes NCAA-approved contributions to the two local public high schools (Cedar Shoals and Clarke Central) for academically at-risk student-athletes.
Local Coca-Cola executive Fred Butler presented the Coca-Cola Helping Hand Award to Diane Brantley of Lydia's Place.
In association with Georgia Power (Tony Ferguson) and Synovus Bank (Jody Patton), Anthony Hubbard (Cedar Shoals) and Nehemiah "Nem" Jones were honored with the Playit—Smart awards. Jesse Hickey of the Turner Foundation presented the Jack Turner Award, which is a leadership award, to departing UGA stars center Sedrick Van PranGranger and wide receiver Ladd McConkey.
NFF President Robert Miles, a classic student-athlete himself, recognized UGA scholar-athletes, including those who have won the Billy Payne Award: Ryan Goede, Dan Jackson, Chad Lindberg, Ladd McConkey, William Mote, and Jared Zirkel.
The J. Reid Parker post-graduate honorees, presented by John Parker and Fran Tarkenton (via video), were Kevin Butler, Lynn Hunnicut, Mohamed Massaquoi, Leonard Pope, Greg Talley, and Russ Tanner.
The high school scholar-athletes in association with the Frances Wood Wilson Foundation of Decatur (Trustee Judge Lawton Stephens) and board member Kevin Price were presented to Nicklaus Harkins of Washington-Wilkes; Chris Law of Jefferson High, Jefferson; Charles "Cam" McC" sellers of North Oconee, Watkinsville; Connor Chastain, Towns County High, Hiawassee; and Jake Turner of Oglethorpe County, Lexington.
The highlight of the evening was inspiring remarks by Holly Rowe, the longtime voice of ESPN Sports. In her speech, she gave a heartfelt shout-out to retiring Sports Information Director, Claude Felton.
For years, the chapter, in step with the NFF, presented the three most significant awards were presented to three outstanding community stars: Jere Morehead, president of UGA, for his contribution to amateur football. The Distinguished American Award was presented to Rev.
Charlie Maddox, a local community volunteer who simply cannot do enough for Athens/Clarke County, and to the dean of Grady College, Charles N. Davis.