The University of Georgia chapter of the National Football Foundation — the largest chapter in the country for more than 15 years — held its annual awards banquet last week, perhaps its most successful event in its 40-year history.
The banquet was preceded by a golf outing that helps the chapter provide scholarships to deserving athletes, contribute to local charities, and recognize outstanding citizens in the community.
A highlight of the evening was remarks from Brian Jordan, a multi-sport star who played both football (Atlanta Falcons) and baseball (St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves). His life after professional sports is equally exemplary. Through his foundation, he provides scholarships to deserving boys and girls and advocates for youth literacy, working diligently to foster a love of reading.
Learning about his altruistic efforts — along with the lasting influence of his warm-hearted mother, who consistently emphasized the importance of the classroom — brought to mind a poem I have long committed to memory:
“You may have wealth untold,
Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold,
But richer than I you will never be,
I had a mother who read to me.”
In a swift-moving program, the chapter — with assistance from the Frances Wood Wilson Foundation of Tucker — honored five scholar-athletes from Northeast Georgia. Each has excelled both in the classroom and on the field.
Scholarships were awarded to Coleman Moore (Hart County), Cohen Brown (Madison County High School), RJ Knapp (Jackson County High School), Hudson Stephens (Oconee County High School), and Shea VerStraete (North Oconee High School). Judge Lawton Stephens, a longtime supporter of the UGA chapter and trustee of the Wilson Foundation, recognized each recipient.
Fred Butler presented the Coca-Cola Helping Hand Award to April Dorsett of Safe Kids Athens. This worldwide organization partners with Athens Regional to offer free programs to prevent common childhood injuries.
Jesse Hickey presented the Jack Turner Award to UGA punter Brett Thorson and quarterback Gunner Stockton, whose remarks delighted the capacity crowd in attendance.
Georgia Power executive Tony Ferguson presented $5,000 checks to two local public high schools — Cedar Shoals (Dreco Thomas) and Clarke Central (Jon Ward). Synovus representatives Jody Patton and John Tebeau also honored Clarke Central’s Triston Thomas and Cedar Shoals’ Dorian Thrasher with scholarship grants.
Robert Miles recognized Luke Bennett, Drew Bobo, Jacob Fleming, Terrell Foster, Jordan Hall, and Gunner Stockton with the Billy Payne Awards, which honor UGA football players who have remained in the program for four years and graduated with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
The J. Reid Parker Post-Graduate Achievement Awards, sponsored by John Parker, were introduced via video by UGA and NFL great Fran Tarkenton, Georgia’s first Academic All-American. Recipients included Shaun Chapas, Dicky Clark, Steve Herndon, Brannan Southerland, Ken Veal, and Malcolm Mitchell.
The Contribution to College Football Award was presented to David Shipley, UGA’s faculty athletics representative and a longtime member of the Georgia Law School faculty. Shipley has been a fixture in the university’s athletic community for many years alongside his wife, Jenny.
Chapter President Kevin Price presented the Distinguished American Award to Dr. Allan Barber, longtime university vice president for finance and treasurer of the UGA Athletic Association. An Athens native, Barber is also a member of several honor societies, including Phi Kappa Phi, Beta Gamma Sigma, Beta Alpha Psi, and Pi Alpha Alpha.
The chapter also recognized Orlean Castronis with the Distinguished American Award. At 102 years old, she energetically made her way to the podium to deliver remarks. She is the widow of the late Mike Castronis, a beloved figure in the Athens community who served as a coach, administrator, counselor at the Athens Y-Camp, and a friend to many.
A graduate of the Henry Grady College of Journalism, Orlean worked with the International News Service during World War II. She still drives herself to the Y for daily workouts, often followed by grocery shopping, reading a wide range of books, and enjoying a vodka tonic while watching the nightly news.
The chapter also honored Lou Perno — former chapter president and longtime sports medicine associate for the Bulldogs — with the Friend of the Hall Award. Additional recognition went to Robert Miles, Tom Steele (who provided Bubba Burger door prizes), and Mia Frishman, a Bulldog Club student assistant and graduating senior from Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Also attending for the first time was National Football Foundation Director of Communications Phil Marwill, who said he was “overwhelmed with the hospitality I received in Athens.”