The first annual NFF Honors Dinner, tabbed “Celebrating Our Legends,” was held in the Purdue Memorial Union Ballrooms on June 28, 2005. Former Purdue quarterback Drew Brees, an All-Pro with the San Diego Chargers, served as a guest speaker while former Boilermaker basketball coach Gene Keady, who officially retired from the university June 30, received the NFF’s Distinguished American Award.
Former high school football standouts Titus Michael of Carroll, Will Bowman of Lafayette Jefferson and David Overley of West Lafayette were named the inaugural finalists for the Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award. Will Bowman of Lafayette walked away with the trophy and $750 scholarship, while Michael and Overley each received a $500 stipend for books and supplies. All three young men were outstanding players for their respective teams, honor students in their senior classes and active in their schools and communities. All three will be freshmen at Purdue in the fall.
Nominations for the Scholar-Athlete Award were solicited from the head football coaches at the 12 high schools in the four-county region (Tippecanoe, Benton, White and Carroll - that the chapter currently represents) each were asked to nominate his top student athlete. Selection is based 40 percent on academic achievement, 40 percent on football ability, performance and attitude, and 20 percent on leadership and citizenship.
In addition to the Scholar-Athlete Award for Bowman and the Distinguished American Award for Coach Keady, the chapter also honored Purdue employee Kay Hunt of the Little Gridiron program for her Outstanding Contribution to Amateur Football. One other trophy winner, for mental toughness, was given to Brees.
Before the event took place, it was deemed a success by executive director Jim Vruggink with expected attendance around 420.
“We have been extremely pleased with the advanced response for this event,” says Jim Vruggink, the volunteer executive director of the 80-plus member organization which is in its first year of existence. “The business community has stepped up in a major way to provide sponsorships and the general public has responded beautifully in ticket sales.”
