THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION AND
COLLEGE HALL OF FAME
Walter J. Zable/San Diego Chapter

Minutes of January 13, 2000 Board Meeting

Present: Jeffrey Abrams, Allen Brown, Chet DeVore, Carole Eigner, Spike Harvey, Kevin McGarry, Jerry Ralph, Jerry Ringer, Brian Sexton, Steve Smith, Walt Zable.

Guests: Steve Haynes, John Shacklett

Absent: Dennis Ackerman, Bob Babich, George Bralla, Steve Brand, George Brown, Bill Christopher, Brian Fogarty, Barry Humphrey, Don Macek, Dennis McKnight, Mark Osman, John Rozar, Ted Tollner

  1. Jerry Ringer welcomed everyone. He reviewed the minutes from the Dec. 15, 1999 board meeting, which were approved.

    1. Action items not covered from prior meeting as follows: Item 7a., Jerry assured everyone that notice to MVP winners about Charger and Sammy's Pizza events in 2000 will be sent in advance. Item 11, Jerry reported letter was given to Bob Casciola concerning modernization of Western Region Management. Item 12, Walt Zable's request that chapter chairman be sent to awards banquet in NY starting in 2000 plus some financial support, was tabled. Item 14, Jerry said Sid Gillman has autographed 15 more of his playbooks and that his coaches videotapes are being cataloged to put both items on E-BAY to sell for the chapter.

  2. Selection committee chair Dr. Jeff Abrams reviewed the 1999-2000 scholar-athlete picks. He outlined the new selection guidelines saying the committee chose five nominees from each of the four football divisions within the San Diego CIF Section. Then there were a total of four at-large candidates picked from the four divisions.

    Each school could nominate four scholar-athletes and selections were made regardless of football position played.

    Jeff reported there were 91 nominees this year, a new record number. The committee picked 24 high school scholar-athletes, and an outstanding player on defense and one from offense. Also chosen were two nominees from community colleges and one each from USD and SDSU, and a Most Inspirational Willie Jones Trophy winner.

    Jerry Ralph of Santana High School was chosen as Coach of the Year and Ed Burke of Torrey Pines as Meritorious Coach of the Year. San Diego Unified School District Superintendent Alan Bersin was picked as our Distinguished American because of his no social passing policy and his personal effort to restore freshman football. Carole Eigner will receive the Al Couppee chapter award.

    Jerry said the GPA average for all 31 honorees was 3.99 and 16 of the 27 high school players were all-CIF. The Community College awardees are both All-American players.

    Board all agreed Jeff and his committee did a very good job. Allen Brown asked that Brian Sexton take his place permanently on the selection committee as Brian set in for Allen this year.

  3. Difficulty with Cubic's organization supporting NFF has been resolved. The entire NFF operation, including Carole Eigner, moved to a new department within the company, thanks to Walt Zable's efforts.

  4. Jerry reported that he, Dennis Ackerman and Coach John Shacklett of Morse High met with Bob Casciola and Mike Palisi on Jan. 10, 2000 to review new NFF programs that National wants chapter to help with. Meeting resulted in the following:

    1. National approved chapter's request for $2,500 as seed money to support city schools effort to institute freshman football program in 17 inter-city schools. Chapter will serve as city school's Booster Club to raise $300,000 through the community and alumni for freshman football by the 2001 football season. National said they would also help as project fits into their youth football program.

    2. National agreed to fully fund city high schools for its Play It Smart Program. Program is designed to provide paid professional help to develop football teams, GPA and athletics. Keep players in school and give players self-esteem.

      John Shacklett and Dennis need to pick the school. This is a major program funded by NFL Charities.

      National liked the Coach Accreditation Program now in place in the city schools here and said they would help fund the program for eight paying walk-on coaches to attend the courses and pay their tuition. Also a major NFF program funded by NFL. National said they would get back to us on how to start this program here. Jerry to follow up.

  5. Jerry reported that Sid Gillman has agreed to autograph playbooks, etc. as chapter fund raiser. Sid said he did not receive Hall of Fame ring from the NFF. A motion was passed to spend $350 to buy the coach his ring, but only if National will not. Jerry will ask National to give Sid his ring.

  6. Walt Zable reported saying National is in good financial shape even though Hall of Fame is losing $1.1 million each year. City of South Bend is helping with its support. He said awards banquet is huge and getting bigger. Sold out by July each year.

  7. New Business:

    1. Allen Brown suggested that chapter again become associated with high schools Sports Association as its goals and mission are close to NFF. John Shacklett agreed. Board asked John to join our board and he agreed. Will vote at next meeting. Chapter will join with the Association.

    2. Allen also brought up the fact that Jason Kroll, membership chair at National, sent chapter a Valley Foundation Scholarship check in the amount of $1,750 via Bob Babich to Allen. Jerry explained chapter should not give scholarships as they go to schools, not students.

      Coach Shacklett suggested calling them a grant or gift, not scholarship and then chapter can award them to whomever it wishes. Jerry will ask National to forward all business matters to chapter office, not to an individual officer.

    3. Steve Haynes from Athletes for Education again volunteered to help chapter with golf tournament. Steve was asked to share his ideas and support activities with Bob Babich and golf committee. Steve also wants to join chapter board. Will nominate and vote at next meeting.

    4. Board member Chet DeVore has been elected to San Diego Hall of Champions. Should be recognized at March 17, 2000 banquet.

Meeting adjourned at 1:45 p.m.

 

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