State Winners Announced for 2024-25 National Football Foundation National HS Academic Excellence Awards

State Winners Announced for 2024-25 National Football Foundation National HS Academic Excellence Awards
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The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame today announced the 65 state winners of the 2024-25 NFF National High School Academic Excellence Awards, Presented by the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation. The initiative honors the top academic football teams from each level of play within each state and is designed to inspire and foster a culture of academic excellence in high school football teams throughout the nation.

The 65 teams will now vie as finalists for the NFF Hatchell Cup, Presented by Bob’s Steak & Chop House. The Hatchell Cup winner will be announced Feb. 4, 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. Each state’s high school coaches association selects their respective state’s winners from a pool of nominees submitted by each school’s head coaches. A national selection committee is responsible for choosing one school as the recipient of the Hatchell Cup as the best team in the nation.

“Success in athletics and academics isn’t a matter of choosing one over the other—it’s about the discipline, dedication, and determination to excel in both,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning. “We are proud to recognize these football teams as the top academic performers in their respective states. The administrators, communities, and families should all be incredibly proud of the accomplishments of these players and coaches. By inspiring teams to compete in the classroom with the same competitive spirit that it takes to win on the field, we are helping to prepare high school football players for lifelong success.”

2024-25 State Winners
(Name preceded by class/division/level within each state)
Arizona
3A – Payson High School
6A – Phoenix Brophy College Prep

California
4A – Hemet High School

Illinois
8-Man – Martinsville High School
1A – Lena-Winslow High School
2A – Farmington Central High School
3A – St. Joseph Ogden High School
4A – Mt. Zion High School
8A – Minooka Community High School

Indiana
1A – Greenwood Christian Academy
2A – Indianapolis Lutheran High School
3A – Evansville Reitz Memorial High School
4A – Indianapolis Bishop Chathard High School
5A – Warsaw Community High School
6A – Indianapolis Cathedral High School

Louisiana
1A – Rosedale North Iberville High School
2A – Monroe Ouachita Christian School
3A – Avondale Patrick Taylor Science and Technology Academy
4A – Lutcher High School
5A – Mandeville High School

Michigan
1 – Hudsonville High School
2 – Temperance Bedford High School
3 – DeWitt High School
4 – Chelsea High School
5 – Pontiac Notre Dame Preparatory School
6 – Ovid-Elsie High School
8 – Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary High School
8-man 1 – Gobles High School
8-man 2 – Felch North Dickinson High School

Minnesota
1A – Parkers Prairie High School
2A – Randolph High School
3A – Roseville Concordia Academy
4A – St. Anthony Village High School
5A – Waconia High School
6A – Wayzata High School
9-Man – Stephen-Argyle Central High School

Nebraska
D1 8-Man – Hemingford High School
D2 8-Man – Mullen High School
D6 6-Man – Arthur County High School
A – Kearney High School
B – Omaha Gretna East High School
C1 – Hastings Adams Central High School
C2 – Hartington Cedar Catholic High School

Oregon
1A – Adrian High School
2A – St. Paul High School
3A – Adair Village Santiam Christian High School
4A – Turner Cascade High School
5A – Bend Summit High School
6A – West Salem High School

Pennsylvania
A – Newton Square Delaware County Christian High School
3A – Harbor Creek High School
5A – Clarks Summit Abington Heights High School
6A – State College High School

Texas
Private – Houston St. John’s School
1A – Sanderson High School
2A – Spearman High School
3A – Idalou High School
4A – Sanger High School
5A – Lubbock Cooper High School
6A – Tomball Memorial High School

Utah
8-Man – Randolph Rich High School
4A – Provo High School

Wisconsin
8-man – Owen Withee High School
1 – Suamico Bay Port High School
3 – Green Bay Notre Dame Academy
5 – Stratford 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.

“Striving for success in the classroom is such a critical part of the scholastic football experience. The rooted focus in academics is a tremendous standard that perpetuates success in life,” 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, something that is just as iconic as the moments experienced by millions in the century-plus at America’s Stadium in Pasadena.”

The NFF announced the creation of the awards in February 2021. The awards represent the first nationwide recognition honoring individual high school football teams for excellence in the classroom. Click here for the past honorees and recipients of the Hatchell Cup.

For more information on the NFF National High School Academic Excellence Awards or to learn how your state high school coaches association can participate, please contact the NFF at news@footballfoundation.com

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.”

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.”

Louisiana High School Coaches Association Director Eric Held
“For the fourth year, the LHSCA is excited to partner with the National Football Foundation and their effort to recognize excellence on the playing field and in the classroom.  The NFF Academic Excellence Award celebrates the achievements of our football program’s academic and community successes.  The NFF mirrors the same values that school educators and coaches instill in our student-athletes.  Thanks again to the NFF for giving so many football programs around our nation the opportunity to compete for the Hatchell Cup and help us remember the importance of education-based athletics.”

Minnesota Football Coaches Association President Nick David
“We are extremely proud to partner with the National Football Foundation in awarding the Academic Excellence Award in the state of Minnesota and we truly appreciate the NFF’s efforts in helping recognize high school student-athletes that are excelling both on the gridiron and in the classroom. The life-lessons our student-athletes continue to gain by balancing both football and the classroom will provide a solid foundation for them to build off of as they move on in their lives. We are excited to continue this initiative with the National Football Foundation in the future and look forward to celebrating our coaches and players.”

Nebraska Coaches Association Executive Director Darin Boysen
“The Nebraska Coaches Association (NCA) is proud to partner with the National Football Foundation (NFF) to recognize high school football teams that are excelling on the field and within the classroom.  We are honored to celebrate high school football teams and their coaches that promote and implement high standards within the great sport of football and academics. These are the life-long lessons we need to support across America.”

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 honored to collaborate with the National Football Foundation in recognizing high school football teams that exemplify excellence in academics, athletics, and community service,” stated Joe Martin, Executive Director of the Texas High School Coaches Association (THSCA). “We extend our congratulations to the seven Texas state finalists for their remarkable GPA and demonstrating exceptional performance both in the classroom and on the field, as well as within their communities.”

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 HSnominations@footballfoundation.com.

The above story is from the National Football Foundation

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About the Author

Jeff Fisher
Jeff is an award-winning journalist and expert in the field of high school sports, underscored with his appearance on CNBC in 2010 to talk about the big business of high school football in America.Jeff turned to his passion for high school football into an entrepreneurial venture called High School Football America, a digital media company focused on producing original high school sports content for radio, television and the internet.Jeff is co-founder and editor-in-chief of High School Football America, a partner with NFL Play Football.