2021 High School & University Special Awards

Gunner Schierling of Donelson Christian Academy was selected as this year’s “Admiral William P. Lawrence Award” honoree. Presenting his plaque is NFF board members Mark North (left) and Curt Baker.

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.

Reed Blankenship of Middle Tennessee State University was selected as this year’s “C.R. Bickerstaff / Bill Pace University Scholar-Athlete Award” honoree. Blankenship was unable to attend the banquet as he was preparing for the 2022 NFL draft.

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.

Devin Bester of Hillsboro High School received the “Jim Barrom Spirint Award” honoree. The presenters were Barrom’s widow Judith Barrom (left) and NFF board member Wallene Leek.

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.

Ben Marchetti of Father Ryan High School received the “Joe L. Worden / Jack Redgren Courage Award” honoree. The presenters were NFF Board Members Andrew Kerr (left) and Boots Donnelly.

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.

Jacob Clevenger of Fairview High School received the “Harold “Cotton” Clark / Scott Brunette Spirit Award” honoree. The presenters were NFF Board Members Scott Brunette (left) and Derrick Burroughs.

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.

Alex Broome of Lipscomb Academy received the “Bob Sullins Inspiration Award.” Presenters were NFF Board Members John Major (left) and Jeff Porter.

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.

Five scholar-athletes were awarded special honors and will receive scholarship assistance their freshman year in college. Board members Wally Conyers (left) and Curt Baker (far right) joined the group following their special recognition. Shown from left are Alex Broome, Lipscomb Academy, Bob Sullins Inspiration Award honoree; Ben Marchetti, Father Ryan High School, Joe L. Worden / Jack Redgren Courage Award honoree; Devin Bester, Hillsboro High School, Jim Barrom Spirit Award honoree; Jacob Clevenger, Fairview High School, Harold “Cotton” Clark / Scott Brunette Spirit Award honoree; and Gunner Schierling, Donelson Christian Academy, Admiral William P. Lawrence Award honoree.