SAN ANTONIO- Jan. 9, 2012 - In front of more than 1,500 coaches at the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Annual Convention, NFF Director of Membership Ron Dilatush, today presented the National Football Foundation's divisional national championship trophies to the coaches of the 2011 winning teams at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas.
"Each year at the AFCA convention, the NFF presents the championship trophies to the coaches who have taken their teams to the pinnacle of success," said NFF President and CEO Steven J. Hatchell. "It is fitting that we present the trophies in front of their peers, the very people who know the commitment, dedication, and effort that goes into winning a national championship."
NCAA Football Championship Subdivision - John F. Kennedy Trophy -North Dakota State University - Craig Bohl
In his 10th season at North Dakota State, Craig Bohl led the Bison to the first FCS national championship in school history, after joining FCS in 2004. The Bison led FCS in scoring defense this season, allowing just 12.7 points per game. In the FCS National Championship, North Dakota State held Sam Houston State to season-lows with 210 total yards and six points in a 17-6 victory on Saturday in Frisco, Texas. The win gives North Dakota State its ninth national championship across all divisions in 25 total playoff appearances. The Bison won their first Missouri Valley Football Conference championship this season after joining the league in 2007. North Dakota State also enjoyed a 37-24 win at Minnesota on Sept. 24.
NCAA Division II - Asa S. Bushnell Trophy - Pittsburg State (Kan.) University - Coach Tim Beck
Head coach Tim Beck guided Pittsburg State (13-1) to its second national championship with a 35-21 victory over Wayne State (Mich.) on Dec. 17 in Florence, Ala. Quarterback Zac Dickey passed for 190 yards and rushed for 68 more, running back Toney Davis rushed for 178 yards and two touchdowns, and the Gorillas turned two blocked kicks into touchdowns to secure the win. A 25-year member of the Pittsburg State coaching staff, Beck claimed the national title in his second year as head coach.
NCAA Division III - Amos Alonzo Stagg Trophy - University of Wisconsin-Whitewater - Coach Lance Liepold
In the seventh consecutive national championship meeting between the two powers, Coach Lance Liepold led Wisconsin-Whitewater to a 13-10 victory over Mount Union (Ohio), giving the Warhawks their third straight national title. Running back Levell Coppage led the Warhawks with 32 carries for 91 yards and a touchdown. In five years as head coach, Liepold has earned a 72-3 record with four total national championships in five Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl appearances. The Warhawks' win gives them a 45-game winning streak heading into the 2012 season.
NAIA - Dwight D. Eisenhower Trophy - St. Xavier (Ill.) University - Coach Mike Feminis
Appearing in its first ever title game, St. Xavier (Ill.) defeated Carroll (Mont.) 24-20 in the NAIA championship on Dec. 17 in Rome, Ga. Coach Feminis' team became the first school to be victorious its first championship appearance since Carroll (Mont.) in 2002. Quarterback Jimmy Coy completed 28-of-43 passes for 216 yards and a touchdown and also led the Cougars in rushing with 16 carries for 78 yards and a score. In 13 seasons as head coach, Feminis has compiled a 116-41 record with two Mid-States Football Association Mideast League titles and seven playoffs appearances.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION & COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME
Founded in 1947 with early leadership from General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl "Red" Blaik and immortal journalist Grantland Rice, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame is a non-profit educational organization that runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship and athletic achievement in young people. With 121 chapters and 12,000 members nationwide, NFF programs include the College Football Hall of Fame, the NFF Scholar-Athlete Awards, presented by Fidelity Investments, Play It Smart, the NFF Hampshire Honor Society, the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Alumni Association, and scholarships of more than $1.3 million for college and high school scholar-athletes. The NFF presents the MacArthur Bowl, the William V. Campbell Trophy, endowed by HealthSouth, and releases the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) Standings. For more information, please visit www.footballfoundation.org
