2023 High School & University Special Awards

John McNeal of Friendship Christian School was selected as this year’s “Admiral William P. Lawrence Award” honoree. Presenting his plaque is NFF board members Curt Baker (right) and John Major (left)

This is the highest award presented to a local high school scholar-athlete in Middle Tennessee area based on scholarship, sportsmanship and value to his team. Admiral Lawrence was a highly decorated U.S. Naval hero who served his country with distinction, being awarded 17 medals including the Distinguished Service Medal, the nation’s third highest military award.

Quinn Johnson of  or the University of the South was selected as this year’s “C.R. Bickerstaff / Bill Pace University Scholar-Athlete Award” honoree. 

Bickerstaff was a long-time executive secretary of this NFF chapter and Pace is a former Vanderbilt football head coach. The award is presented to the top university scholar-athlete in Middle Tennessee.

D'Anthony Lanier of East High School received the “Jim Barrom Spirint Award” honoree. The presenters were Barrom’s widow Judith Barrom (left) and NFF board member Wallene Leek (right).

This award is presented to a Middle Tennessee scholar-athlete who exemplifies the highest qualities of sportsmanship. The award is named for the late Jim Barrom, a successful high school coach in the ‘70s who later became a successful executive in the financial and insurance fields.

Brice Njezic of Lebanon High School received the “Joe L. Worden / Jack Redgren Courage Award” honoree. The presenters were NFF Board Members Andrew Kerr (left) and Dejay Woods (right)

Worden and Redgren were former Vanderbilt Athletic Department trainers who both earned this chapter’s Roy Kramer Contribution to Football Award. This award is presented to a Middle Tennessee student who faced obstacles but fought back to succeed.

Cody Williamson of Centennial High School received the “Harold “Cotton” Clark / Scott Brunette Spirit Award” honoree. The presenters were NFF Board Members Derrick Burroughs (left) and Josh Houston (right).

This award is presented to a Middle Tennessee student-athlete who exemplifies the highest qualities of sportsmanship. The award named for the late Cotton Clark and current board member Scott Brunette, who was a long-time executive secretary of this NFF chapter.

Ty Clark of of Franklin Road Academy received the “Bob Sullins Inspiration Award" for 2023.  Accepting the award on his behalf is Joseph Holzmer.

The Bob Sullins Award is presented to a Middle Tennessee high school student who serves as an inspiration to his teammates, his classmates, and members of his community. Sullins is an active NFF board member who served this chapter as president for more than a decade.