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Sugar Bowl

NFF Scholar Athletes 2025

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.

The Allstate Sugar Bowl Chapter held its 2025 Awards Luncheon, presented by LCMC Health, on April 8. Thirty-seven 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 37 student athletes was introduced individually with their accomplishments highlighted at the event. From that group of 37, five were selected to receive Allstate Sugar Bowl Scholarships: four for $10,000 and one for $20,000 each. The scholarship winners were chosen based on their accomplishments as well as essays submitted after being notified of their selection as scholar-athletes.
 
“First of all, congratulations to all the scholar athletes in attendance today for their hard work in the classroom, in the community AND on the football field,” said Sugar Bowl President Dottie Reese. “While all 37 of our scholar-athletes represent a high level of achievement, it is our distinct honor to recognize five student-athletes with Allstate Sugar Bowl Scholarships based on their accomplishments and the essays they submitted.”
 
Desmond Beasley from Salmen High School 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 Brennon Johnson (Bonnabel Magnet School), Josiah Rashad Mitchell (Thomas Jefferson Academy), Davion Robertson (John Ehret High School), and Justin Wells (Isidore Newman School).

2025 Sugar Bowl Scholar Athletes

Official Trading Cards for 2025 Sugar Bowl Scholar Athletes

Official Photos of 2025 Sugar Bowl Scholar Athletes

Full Event Video

In addition to the high school honorees, two sports industry leaders were recognized for their contributions to the community and the sport of football. Nelson Stewart, who recently announced a move to Georgia, had an exceptional 19-year coaching career at Isidore Newman School, posting a record of 162-54 with state playoff appearances in all 19 seasons. Stewart was presented with the Contribution 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. His teams advanced to the state semifinals and quarterfinals six times each in addition to clinching seven district championships, exemplifying his consistent success and ability to build competitive teams.
 
Vernon Brinson, a member of the Sugar Bowl Committee since 1973 who has built a reputation as a tireless supporter of the organization and its mission to boost the city through amateur sporting events, 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. Most recently, Brinson solidified his position as a renowned philanthropist with a significant financial donation to support the Allstate Sugar Bowl scholarships provided to talented student-athlete football players at this event. He served as the President of the organization for the 1993 Sugar Bowl when Alabama upset top-ranked Miami to win the national championship.

Allstate Sugar Bowl Chapter of the NFF/CFHOF Special Awards

 Year
 Contribution to Amateur Football
 Distinguished American
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  NA
 1984  Capt. Joe Katz, New Orleans  Kent McWilliams
 1983  Ben Weiner, Tulane University  NA
 1983  George Kalil, N.O. QB Club  Stan Kotteman, Tulane/Official/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  NA
 1979  Pie Dufour, Writer  John Petitbon
 1978  NA  Charles Cusimano
 1978  Marshall David, Sugar Bowl  Andy Pilney, Tulane University
 1977  Theo Maumus, Sugar Bowl  NA
 1977  Sam Corenswet, Sugar Bowl  Hank Lauricella, Louisiana Legislator
 1976  Cliff Kern, Sugar Bowl  Dr. Rix Yard, Tulane University
 1971  Ike Carriere  Lester Lautenschlaeger
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