Allstate Sugar Bowl Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame

In January of 2000, the Sugar Bowl Committee took over the title sponsorship of the New Orleans Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame. Included in the Bowl’s sponsorship of the chapter is the administration of an annual awards banquet held each spring to honor deserving high school football scholar athletes from the metropolitan area. Since 2000, the Sugar Bowl has recognized nearly 400 student-athletes while distributing over $310,000 in scholarship money. Sugar Bowl Member Archie Manning is the national chairman of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. To become a member of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, please click here.

Thirty-six local high school football players were recognized for their achievements in the classroom and on the football field at the 2018 Awards Luncheon held on April 3 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The honorees were chosen from a group of nominated talented scholar athletes from the New Orleans area. Archie Manning, the national chairman of the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame, recognized each of the 36 student athletes at the event. From that group of 36, six were selected to receive Allstate Sugar Bowl Scholarships for $10,000 each. The scholarship winners were chosen based on essays submitted after being notified of their selection as scholar-athletes.

The six scholarship winners were Blake Baird (Pearl River High School), Cameron Hammers (Pope John Paul II Catholic High School), Charles Hayward (West Jefferson High School), Christopher Rabensteiner (Archbishop Hannan High School), Aaron Saulino (Fisher High School) and Zachary Wiedow (East Jefferson High School). Rod West, the President of the Sugar Bowl Committee, recapped their accomplishments and referenced their winning essays prior to presenting each scholarship winner with a commemorative check.

In addition to the high school honorees, two local men were recognized for their contributions to the community and the sport of football.

Alan Freeman, SMG’s general manager for the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, was presented with the Contributions to Amateur Football Award, which is given annually to an individual for his or her effort to promote the game, preserve its history and ensure its future. Since moving to New Orleans with SMG in 2007, Freeman has become a prominent figure on the amateur football scene. The Mercedes-Benz Superdome hosts the Allstate Sugar Bowl as well as the Allstate Sugar Bowl LHSAA Football Championships each year. The Sugar Bowl is recognized as one of the top collegiate football games in the country and has doubled as a College Football Playoff Semifinal twice in the last four years, while the LHSAA Championships see nine state titles decided over a three-day span in early December. In addition, the facility will be the host venue for the 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship.

Former New Orleans Saints standout Steve Gleason was presented with the Distinguished American Award, which is presented each year to an individual who has set the standard for a life of service to the community and has made a significant contribution to the betterment of amateur football. Gleason played for the Saints from 2000-2008 and will always be remembered for his blocked punt against the Falcons on the night the Superdome reopened for after Hurricane Katrina. In January 2011, Steve was diagnosed with ALS, considered a terminal neuromuscular disease. Beyond his faith that there is a solution for healing, it is his mission to show that patients can not only live but thrive after this diagnosis. In doing so, he hopes to inspire others to do the same. With that in mind, Steve and his wife, Michel, formed “Team Gleason” to help him accomplish those goals and more. When Steve was diagnosed, he famously said there will be “No White Flags.” This has become the Team Gleason mantra. No goal is more important to Steve and Michel than finding a solution for ALS, so they can share many, many years together parenting their young son, Rivers.

• 2018: Allstate Sugar Bowl Teams With NFF To Honor Football Scholar Athletes
• 2017: Another Strong Class of Honorees at Allstate Sugar Bowl Scholar-Athlete Luncheon
• 2016: Allstate Sugar Bowl and NFF Host Annual High School Football Awards Luncheon
• 2015: Thirty-Three Local Football Standouts Recognized at Superdome Event
• 2014: Scholarships Highlight Allstate Sugar Bowl/NFF Honors Luncheon
• 2013: Allstate Sugar Bowl and NFF Honor 34 Local Scholar-Athletes
• 2012: Thirty-Four Local Scholar-Athletes Honored by Sugar Bowl and NFF
• 2011: Allstate Sugar Bowl and NFF Honor 35 Scholar-Athletes
• 2010: NFF Honors Local High School Football Players
• 2009: Talented Class of Honorees at 2009 NFF/College Football Hall of Fame Luncheon
• 2008: Nineteen Honored at 2008 Football Foundation Luncheon
• 2007: Sugar Bowl Honors Standouts at 2007 NFF Awards Luncheon
• 2006: No class recognized due to Hurricane Katrina
• 2005: Listing of the 2004-05 NFF Scholar Athletes
• 2004: Listing of the 2003-04 NFF Scholar Athletes
• 2003: Listing of the 2002-03 NFF Scholar-Athletes
• 2002: Listing of the 2001-02 NFF Scholar-Athletes
• 2001: Listing of the 2000-01 NFF Scholar-Athletes

Allstate Sugar Bowl Chapter of the NFF/CFHOF Special Awards