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Sugar Bowl

NFF Scholar Athletes 2026 (pre-event v2)

Allstate Sugar Bowl Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College 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 Hall of Fame, which was established in 1967. 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 over 700 student-athletes while distributing over $800,000 in scholarship money. To become a member of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, please click here.

Forty local high school football players were recognized for their achievements in the classroom, in the community and on the football field. The honorees were chosen from a group of scholar athletes from the New Orleans area that were nominated by their schools. Each of the 40 student athletes was introduced individually with their accomplishments highlighted at the event. From that group of 40, five were selected to receive Allstate Sugar Bowl Scholarships: four for $10,000 each and one for $20,000. The scholarship winners were chosen based on their accomplishments as well as essays submitted after being notified of their selection as scholar-athletes.
 
“From the beginning, the Sugar Bowl has been committed to the youth of this area – and today’s luncheon is a perfect example of that – today we’re recognizing some of the very best of the best,” said Sugar Bowl President Riley Busenlener. "While all 40 of our Allstate Sugar Bowl Football Scholar-Athletes represent a high level of achievement, it is our distinct honor to recognize these five student-athletes with scholarships based on their accomplishments and the essays they submitted."

 Anthony Scandurro from Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy was the recipient of the $20,000 Oliver Delery Scholarship, named for the Sugar Bowl Committee-member and past president who passed away in 2020. The $10,000 scholarships were awarded to Will Berry (Jesuit High School), Dylan Butler (Booker T. Washington High School), Calvin Drake III (Isidore Newman School), and Wyatt Perritt (Northlake Christian School).

2026 Sugar Bowl Scholar Athletes

Official Trading Cards for 2026 Sugar Bowl Scholar Athletes

Official Photos of 2026 Sugar Bowl Scholar Athletes

Full Event Video

Will Peneguy was the 2026 recipient of the Contribution to Amateur Football Award, which is presented annually to an individual for his or her efforts to promote the game, preserve its history and ensure its future. Peneguy has been a key part of the New Orleans sports community for over 60 years. He has been a leader, a writer, an editor, a teacher, and an advocate in multiple roles in the region. And in all of those positions, he consistently focused on doing his job the right way while bringing opportunity and attention to young athletes in the city.
 
Jay Batt, the 56th president of the Sugar Bowl Committee (2013-14), was recognized posthumously with the 2026 Distinguished American Award. This award is presented to an individual who set a standard for a life of service to the community and who made a significant contribution to the betterment of amateur football. From his start as a member of the Sugar Bowl Committee in 1998 through his passing in 2024, Batt served in several leadership positions and was involved with numerous Sugar Bowl committees, including serving as Chair of the organization’s Entertainment Committee for multiple years and being a key figure in the revival of the Sugar Bowl New Year’s Parade.  His enthusiasm for the organization was infectious and set a positive and upbeat tone throughout his tenure.

Allstate Sugar Bowl Chapter of the NFF/CFHOF Special Awards

 Year
 Contribution to Amateur Football
 Distinguished American
2026  Will Peneguy, Sportswriter/Teacher  Jay Batt, Allstate Sugar Bowl
2025  Nelson Stewart, Newman School  Vernon Brinson, Allstate Sugar Bowl
2024  Ron Brocato, Sportswriter  Bill Hancock, College Football Playoff
 2023  Eddie Bonine, LHSAA  Troy Dannen, Tulane University
 2022  Frank Monica, St. Charles Catholic HS  Ro Brown, WDSU-TV
 2021  Jay Roth, Archbishop Rummel HS  Rick Dickson, Tulane University
 2020  None (COVID-19)  None (COVID-19)
 2019  Gayle Benson, New Orleans Saints  Paul Hoolahan, Allstate Sugar Bowl
 2018  Alan Freeman, SMG  Steve Gleason, New Orleans Saints
 2017  Marty Mulé, Sportswriter/Author  Marshall Faulk, Carver High/NFL
 2016  Edwin Murray, Louisiana Senator  Darryl Berger, Tulane/New Orleans
 2015  Karl Benson, Sun Belt Conference  Jack Laborde, Sugar Bowl Committee
 2014  Jim Henderson, Sports Broadcaster  Dennis Lauscha, New Orleans Saints
 2013  J.T. Curtis, John Curtis School  Elliott Hill, Nike North America
 2012  Vince Gibson, Tulane University  Elliott Laudeman, Sugar Bowl Committee
 2011  Bill Curl, Louisiana Superdome  Doug Hertz, Tulane University
 2010  Bill Bumgarner, Sportswriter  Mickey Loomis, New Orleans Saints
 2009  Wright Waters, Sun Belt Conference  Doug Thornton, SMG (Louisiana Superdome)
 2008  Jerry Romig, Saints/Sugar Bowl  Tony Biagas, New Orleans City Park
 2007  Skip Bertman, Louisiana State  Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
 2006  NA  NA
 2005  Rick Dickson, Tulane University  Jerry Ebbert, New Orleans Homeland Security
 2004  Archie Manning, NFF/Sugar Bowl  Peter Finney, Times-Picayune
 2003  Don Wattigny, Edna Karr H.S.  Tommy Henry, LHSAA
 2002  NA  NA
 2001  Ken Trahan, Sports Reporter  Gene Newton
 2000  Ed Daniels, WGNO-TV  Tom Benson, New Orleans Saints
 1999  Edward Bravo  Paul Buckley, Hilton
 1998  Leonard Reis  James Wilson, Tulane University
 1997  Bobby Conlin, Brother Martin HS  William Ross
 1996  Jack Salter, Covington HS  Larry Lundy
 1995  Rev. John T. Curtis, Sr., Curtis School  Jim Mora, New Orleans Saints
 1994  Roy Glapion, N.O. Public Schools  Tony Reginelli, Newman HS
 1993  Otis Washington, St. Aug HS  Pat Taylor
 1990  NA  Bob Roesler, Times-Picayune
 1986  Shelby Fredrichs, Southern Yacht Club  Tony Porter
 1984  Champ Clark, Sportswriter  Kent McWilliams
 Capt. Joe Katz, New Orleans
 1983  Ben Weiner, Tulane University  Stan Kotteman, Tulane/Official/QB Club
 George Kalil, N.O. QB Club
 1982  Hap Glaudi, Sports Reporter  Kenny Konz
 1981  Armand Kitto  Hank Lauricella, Louisiana Legislator
 1980  John Lynch  Jim Taylor
 1979  A.B. Nicholas  John Petitbon
 Pie Dufour, Writer
 1978  Marshall David, Sugar Bowl  Charles Cusimano, Football Official
 Andy Pilney, Tulane University
 1977  Theo Maumus, Sugar Bowl  Hank Lauricella, Louisiana Legislator
 Sam Corenswet, Sugar Bowl
 1976  Cliff Kern, Sugar Bowl  Dr. Rix Yard, Tulane University
 1971  Ike Carriere  Lester Lautenschlaeger
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