The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame today announced the 56 state winners of the 2023-24 NFF National High School Academic Excellence Awards, presented by the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation, which go to the top academic football teams from each level of play within each state. The initiative is designed to inspire and foster a culture of academic excellence in high school football teams throughout the nation.
The 56 teams will now vie as finalists for the NFF Hatchell Cup, Presented by “The Original” Bob’s Steak & Chop House. The Hatchell Cup winner will be announced Feb. 6, recognizing the top individual high school football team in the nation for excellence in the classroom, on the field and in the community. The Hatchell Cup, named in honor of NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell comes with a $10,000 donation.
Eligibility requirements for the awards include: a minimum cumulative team GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; superior academic application and performance; and a successful football season. The individual state high school coaches associations select their respective state’s winners from a pool of nominees submitted by each school’s head coach, netting a total of 56 state winners from the different divisions of play from the participating states this year. A selection committee, assembled and led by the NFF, will be responsible for choosing one school as the recipient of the Hatchell Cup as the best team in the nation.
“Academic and athletic success go hand-in-hand,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning. “We are proud to recognize these 56 outstanding high school football teams as the top academic performers in their states. These schools, coaches, players and their families should all be incredibly pleased with their accomplishments, and we look forward to announcing the overall winner of the Hatchell Cup on February 6. We hope by inspiring teams to compete in the classroom with the same competitive spirit that it takes to win on the field, we will better prepare high school football players for success later in life.”
2023-24 State Winners
(Name preceded by class/division/level within each state)
Arizona
4A – Phoenix Northwest Christian School
California
2AA – San Bernardino Aquinas High School
3A – Placentia El Dorado High School
5AA – Hemet High School
Delaware
1A – Wilmington Charter School
2A – Claymont Archmere High School
3A – Wilmington Salesianum High School
Illinois
1A – Kewanee Annawan-Wethersfield High School
2A – Seneca High School
3A – Byron High School
4A – Rochester High School
6A – Washington High School
8A – Lincolnshire Stevenson High School
8 Man – The High School of St. Thomas More (Champaign, IL)
Indiana
1A – Indianapolis Park Tudor High School
2A – Heritage Christian High School
3A – West Lafayette High School
4A – Indianapolis Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory High School
5A – Lafayette William Henry Harrison High School
6A – Indianapolis Cathedral High School
Iowa
2A- Van Meter High School
4A – Gilbert High School
Louisiana
D1 – New Orleans Brother Martin High School
D2 – Stonewall North Desoto High School
D3 – Covington Northlake Christian School
D4 – Monroe Ouachita Christian School
Minnesota
1A – Parkers Prairie High School
2A – Barnesville High School
3A – Roseville Concordia Academy
4A – Orono High School
5A – (Tie) Owatonna High School & Waconia High School
6A – Woodbury High School
9 Man – Stephen-Argyle Central High School
Nebraska
A – Kearney High School
B – Lincoln Pius X High School
C1 – Gothenburg High School
C2 – Norfolk Catholic High School
D1 – Exeter-Milligan/Friend
D2 – Niobrara High School-Verdigre High School
D6 – Hampton High School
North Carolina
3A- Belmont South Point High School
Oregon
1A – Crane High School
2A – Stayton Regis High School
3A – Medford Cascade Christian High School
4A – Klamath Falls Mazama High School
5A – Bend Summit High School
6A – Portland Jesuit High School
Rhode Island
D1 – Warwick Bishop Hendricken High School
D2 – Burrillville High School
Texas
1A – Sanderson High School
2A – New Home High School
3A – Spearman High School
4A – Canyon High School
5A – Argyle High School
6A – Klein Cain High School
Private – Houston St. Thomas Catholic High School
The Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation became the presenting sponsor of the NFF National High School Academic Excellence Awards for the 2023-24 season. The organization’s primary purpose is to preserve, protect, and enhance the Rose Bowl Stadium.
“Academic excellence and the student-athlete experience is at the heart of the Rose Bowl Stadium’s rich history as its iconic moments are rooted in competitors who move through life with tremendous careers and leaders to our society,” said Dedan Brozino, President of the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation. “The Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation and its educational platform, the Rose Bowl Institute, are thrilled to support the Academic Excellence Awards and acknowledge the incredible hard work of the student-athletes in the classroom.”
The NFF announced the creation of the awards in February 2021, with the Nebraska and Texas state high school coaches associations leading the initial effort and engaging 33 state high school coaches associations in total. The awards represent the first nationwide recognition honoring individual high school football teams for excellence in the classroom. Past recipients of the Hatchell Cup include Cypress Woods High School (TX) in 2021-22 and Grundy Center High School (IA) in 2022-23.
State High School Coaches Associations Quotes
Southern CA Football Coaches Association President James Vondra
“The SCFCA is proud to partner with the NFF to emphasize the importance of balancing athletic pursuits with academic responsibilities to ensure that student-athletes become well-rounded individuals who can succeed both on and off the field. As coaches, we must remember that the true measure of a successful athlete is not only their performance on the field but also their dedication to their studies and their commitment to achieving academic success. Recognizing academic excellence in athletes is crucial for their overall development and well-being.”
Delaware Interscholastic Football Coaches Association President John Wilson
“NFF National High School Academic Excellence Award is important for recognizing those schools who not only perform well on the field but also achieve academic success in the classroom. It’s a great way to emphasize the importance of education-based athletics.”
Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Executive Director Kevin Crandall
“The IHSFCA is excited to see significant growth in our second year awarding the NFF Academic Excellence Award. The opportunity to recognize the programs and coaches in our state who are doing such an excellent job in the classroom along with the playing field is very much appreciated. We are excited to continue the initiative with the National Football Foundation in the future. “
Indiana Football Coaches Association Executive Director Bob Gaddis
“NFF National High School Academic Excellence Awards are a tremendous way for outstanding football programs around the USA to recognize the accomplishments of the student athletes in the classroom. The state of Indiana is excited to participate in recognizing our national finalist and state champions. We applaud their work and appreciate the NFF making this an annual award. We honor our team’s coaches at our state convention.”
Iowa Football Coaches Association President Paul Patterson
“The IFCA is excited to be involved with the NFF and the NFF National High School Academic Excellence Awards each year as an opportunity to celebrate our school’s success in the classroom. As high school coaches, we stress the importance of maintaining high standards in the classroom and appreciate the recognition of a job well done. We are thankful for the partnership the IFCA and the NFF have in celebrating our coaches and players here in Iowa.”
Nebraska Coaches Association Executive Director Darin Boysen
“We appreciate the National Football Foundation’s efforts in helping recognize high school student-athletes that are excelling on the football field and within the classroom. Our youth are being pulled in many directions today, but the teams being recognized with the NFF Academic Excellence Award are clearly surrounded by talented coaches and educators who bring out their best. Communities and schools across America should celebrate the cumulative team dedication being recognized through this award.”
Oregon Athletic Coaches Association Executive Director Rob Younger
“The NFF National High School Academic Excellence Awards have become one of the most prestigious recognitions that we give at our Annual Awards Banquet. This award recognizes the ‘Best of the Best’ football programs in our state. The recognition is a great way to promote the great game of football, and it provides a great showcase of our schools and communities by honoring the players and coaches for their work on the field and in the classroom.”
Texas High School Coaches Association Executive Director Joe Martin
“Texas is excited to again partner with the National Football Foundation in an effort to recognize team academic excellence. This unique, national award recognizes High School Football teams that have excelled in academics during this football season. Not only does the game of football teach life lessons, but the teams receiving this award are proving they can compete in the classroom as well as on the gridiron.”
For more information on the NFF National High School Academic Excellence Award or to learn how your state high school coaches association can participate next season, please contact the NFF at [email protected].
The above story is from a National Football Foundation news release
