The University of Georgia chapter of the National Football Foundation recently hosted its 38^th annual awards banquet before a full 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 greatest attendance in the chapter’s history.

There was a sprightly Live Auction, orchestrated by auctioneer Louis Tonsmeire of Cartersville which contributed significantly to chapter funds with an assortment of items in addition to being 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. 17^th hole which was won by former Georgia running back, Glynn Harrison.

The goal of the chapter 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 “Play-it-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.  

The Coca Cola Helping Hand Award was presented by local Coca Cola executive, Fred Butler, to Diane Brantley of Lydia’s Place.

In association with Georgia Power (Tony Ferguson) and Synovus Bank (Jody Patton) honored Anthony Hubbard (Cedar Shoals) and Nehemiah “Nemo” Jones with the “Play-it-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 Pran-Granger and wide receiver Ladd McConkey.

President Robert Miles, a classic student-athlete himself recognized the UGA scholar athletes including those who are winners of 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) went to 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” McCullers of North Oconee, Watkinsville; Connor Chastain, Town County High, Hiawassee; and Jake Turner of Oglethorpe County, Lexington.

The highlight of the evening were inspiring remarks by Holly Rowe, the longtime voice of ESPN Sports.  In her remarks she gave a heartfelt shout out to the retiring Sports Information Director, Claude Felton.

For years, the chapter, in step with the NFF, the three biggest 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 the Reverend 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.

The highlight of the evening were inspiring remarks by Holly Rowe, the longtime voice of ESPN Sports.  In her remarks she gave a heartfelt shout out to the retiring Sports Information Director, Claude Felton.