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Football is an emotionally integrating force of the American school and college and, to no small degree, a unique training ground for leadership in our free market, competitive society.  The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame is a nationwide organization whose purposes include:  the promotion of our American football game as an integral and vital part of our education process; the encouragement of playing the game at all levels of competition – on the sandlots, in junior and senior high schools, and in colleges; and the establishment of the proper incentives and ideals for American youth consistent with high standards of sportsmanship among players. The College Football Hall of Fame honors those men who have excelled on the college playing field and contributed to society. 

The Greater Baltimore Chapter is one of 120 chapters throughout the country. The Chapter held its first formal organized meeting on June 28, 1961.  Through the efforts of Dr. George “Tank” McLaren, Harry Lawrence, John Donohue, Charley Havens, Dave Kaufman, Paul Menton, Don Kellet, Charles P. McCormick, Sr., and the Chapter’s first president, Howard “Dutch” Eyth, the foundation for the organization was laid.

Primary among its efforts, the Baltimore Chapter sponsors the annual Scholar Athlete Awards Dinner, which recognizes a young man from each of the football-playing high schools in Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Harford, and Howard counties.  The first dinner was held in 1964 at the Belvedere Hotel under the chairmanship of Dr. R.D. “Bo” Menton, Jr.  That year, 380 people attended the affair honoring 31 Scholar-Athletes.  Through the years, more than 3,300 Scholar-Athletes have been honored and over 50,000 people have attended the dinner.

Scholarships awarded have amounted to more than $300,000.  Over 1,200 people attend our dinner where we will honor almost 100 outstanding young men.  The budget for the affair exceeds $70,000, in contrast to the original year’s budget of $3,500.  The Chapter takes great pride in its Scholar-Athlete Dinner, which is the largest of more than 100 similar dinners held by Football Foundation chapters and is the only one that honors a Scholar-Athlete nominee from each of the football-playing high schools in its chapter area.

Over the years, the Chapter has awarded more than 170 trophies to area high school and college football teams that have had significant achievements. In addition, the Service to Football Award is given in honor of Herb Armstrong, a founding chapter member and longtime president of the Maryland Scholastic Association.  The Award is not an annual award, but rather is given to deserving individuals who have made a significant personal contribution and commitment to football in this area.  Recipients include Herb Armstrong, Dave Kaufman, Harry Lawrence, John Donohue, Dutch Eyth, Charley Havens, Gardner Mallonee, Earl Banks, Ed Hargaden, Steve Hokuf, Ed Hurt, Bob Lumsden, Herb Ruby, Mason Russell, Dick Working, Mel Filler, Mitch Tullai, Jim Head, Reddy Finney, Ed Novak, Lloyd White, Roy Cragway, Augie Waibel, Joe Brune, Nick Schloeder, Andy Borland, Elmer Dize, Denny Cox, Bill Bauersfeld and Bob Patzwall.

Upon request, our Chapter assists area schools and colleges with advice and counsel concerning their football programs.  The Chapter is also a participant and supporter of the National Play It Smart program, which is jointly sponsored by the National Football Foundation and the National Football League.  The Chapter also partners with the Baltimore Touchdown Club, the Hopkins Heart Hype Program and Digital Sports.

Individual memberships are $40 per year; applications may be obtained by contacting the Baltimore Chapter at (410) 668-6901 or by clicking on to the Membership Page.