NFF Gridiron Club of Dallas Hosts 15th Annual Scholar-Athlete Awards Banquet
In addition to recognizing seven influential people in amateur football, the chapter also honors five collegiate and 40 high school scholar-athletes.
Pictured Above: 2024 NFF Gridiron Club of Dallas Scholar-Athletes including president of Sports in Action (DCTF), Adam Hochfelder (bottom center), and award-winning sportscaster, Scott Murray (middle left).
DALLAS, Texas (Apr. 1, 2024) – The NFF Gridiron Club of Dallas, the north Texas chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, Inc., held their 15th annual awards banquet on Sunday, March 24, 2024, at the Addison Marriott Quorum by the Galleria. The chapter honored five collegiate and 40 high school scholar-athletes for their performance on the football field, excellence in the classroom, and service in the community. Scott Murray, 2021 Distinguished Texan Award winner and legendary sportscaster, served as the emcee for the 15th year.
NFF Gridiron Club of Dallas Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Cooper Peach (Arlington High School)
The 2024 Scholar-Athlete of the Year and a $2,500 college scholarship were awarded to Cooper Peach from Arlington High School. Peach played wide receiver for his father, Coach Scott Peach, and was a 3-year letterman and a 2-year team captain. As a freshman, he was offensive team MVP, and as a sophomore he was an All-District Wide Receiver and won the Fighting Heart Award for the Colts. As a junior, he was 1st Team All-District and was the Offensive MVP once again during his senior year.
Pictured Center: Colleyville Heritage Head Football Coach, Jerry Edwards, 2023 Scholar-Athlete of the Year, Cameron Hammonds, Arlington High School Head Football Coach, Scott Peach, 2024 Scholar-Athlete of the Year, Cooper Peach, and president of the NFF Gridiron Club of Dallas, Gerald Brence
Peach carries a 4.77 GPA and is ranked 2nd in his class. He is also a seasoned baseball player and was named Elite Academic All-State by the Texas High School Coaches Association. Peach participates in the National Honor Society, volunteers at Mission Arlington and Adopt-a-Child, and is very involved in his church. After graduation, Peach will be headed to attend and play football at Washington University in St. Louis.
Scott Murray Community Service Award
Joshua Palma (Plano East High School)
Joshua Palma was the recipient of the Scott Murray Community Service Award and a $1,000 college scholarship, for his dedication to serving others.
Palma played wide receiver for the Panthers and Coach Tony Benedetto. He was a 2-year letterman and was team captain his senior year.
Pictured: Scott Murray, Joshua Palma, and Gerald Brence
He was a THSCA Academic All-State honoree and an All-District Academic award winner for his junior and senior seasons. Palma was also awarded the Dave Campbell’s Impactful Leadership Award and helped Plano East make the playoffs for the first time in five years.
Palma carries a 4.02 GPA, is in the National Honor Society, AVID, and received the Academic Excellence Award in 2021. He is active with the Plano East Student Senate and involved in several community service programs. Palma has accumulated 65 hours of service thus far in high school and plans on attending either Howard University or Austin College in the fall.
Army Black Knight Award
Xavier Richmond (Western Hills High School)
The Army Black Knight Award and a $1,000 college scholarship were presented to Xavier Richmond of Western Hills High School in Fort Worth.
Richmond played cornerback for Coach Blake Moilan, was a 2-year letterman, and 2nd Team All-District as a senior.
Pictured: Ryan Brence, Xavier Richmond, Gerald Brence, and John Voit
Richmond was Academic All-District for two years and recognized as 2nd Team Academic All-State by the THSCA as a senior. He carries a 4.6 GPA and is in the National Honor Society and All-A Honor Roll. He is a member of the Key Club, Drama Club, Paws Service Club, and the Western Hills Cougar Foundation. Richmond is also the treasurer of the National Honor Society and an Eagle Scout. He participates in UIL Theatre and was named an All-Star Cast Award winner. Richmond was also a district champion in track last year. He is undecided on his college plans.
Steve Hatchell NFF Extra Mile Award
Abdi Hernandez (West Mesquite High School)
Abdi Hernandez, of West Mesquite High School, was presented with a $1, 000 college scholarship and the inaugural Steve Hatchell NFF Extra Mile Award, named for the president and CEO of the National Football Foundation.
Hernandez played tight end, offensive line, long snapper, and was team captain for Coach Frank Sandoval. He was recognized as THSCA 1st Team Academic All-State and was a two-time Academic All-District player.
Pictured Right: Abdi Hernandez and Gerald Brence
Hernandez carries a 3.8 GPA, was an AP Scholar both his junior and senior year, an AP Scholar with Honor for two years and was on the A/B Honor Roll. He was involved in powerlifting, track and field, the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, AP Club, Student Council, and his church group. Hernandez logged over 80 hours of community service and works at Marshalls.
Hernandez was on the West Mesquite Athletic Leadership Council, Superintendent Advisory Council, and the Student Council Community Chair. Hernandez has currently completed 14 AP academic courses and plans to attend Harvard University in the fall.
Passion Grants Award
Drew Noonan (Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas)
The inaugural Passion Grants Award and a $2,500 college scholarship were presented to Drew Noonan for his essay regarding his passion to help others.
The award was sponsored by the Passion Grants Foundation.
Pictured: Gary Peek, Drew Noonan, and Gerald Brence
Noonan was a two-year letterman and played outside linebacker and defensive end for Coach Brandon Hickman. He was named 1st Team Academic All-State by the THSCA and was the WFAA Channel 8 Scholar-Athlete-of-the-Week.
Noonan won the Golden Helmet Award for the highest GPA on the football team and the Ranger Heart Award for the senior who demonstrates heart, support, and encouragement for his teammates.
Noonan carries a 98.5 GPA and has won several academic awards including the Pedro Arrupe Award and the SJ Award. He has been on the principal’s honor roll seven times and is a member of the National Honor Society. Noonan has won awards from the Entrepreneurship Club, the Campus Ambassadors Club, and is involved in numerous other service and leadership organizations. He also runs track, writes for the school newspaper, and acts in Theatre performances. He is undecided on his college plans.
2024 Collegiate Scholar-Athletes
The NFF Gridiron Club of Dallas recognized five collegiate scholar-athletes based on their athletic accomplishments, academic performance, and leadership in the community.
Pictured: Scott Murray (award winning sportscaster and president of Murray Media), Ethan Wesloski (University of North Texas), Brent Matiscik (Texas Christian University), Jarrett Pleasant (Austin College), Jonathan McGill (Southern Methodist University), and Gerald Brence (president of the NFF Gridiron Club of Dallas). Petr Svoboda (Texas Wesleyan University) was unable to attend.
Click here to see a full list of award winners and honorees from the 15th Annual Gridiron Club of Dallas Scholar-Athlete Awards Banquet.
About NFF Gridiron Club of Dallas
Founded in 2008, the NFF Gridiron Club of Dallas (www.nffdallas.org) is one of 120 nationwide chapters of the National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame (www.footballfoundation.org). The NFF 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. NFF programs include Future For Football, the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, The William V. Campbell Trophy®, the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class presented by Fidelity Investments and a series of initiatives to honor the legends of the past and inspire the leaders of the future. Click here to join the NFF Gridiron Club of Dallas chapter.
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Media Contact
Gary Peek
gpeek@nffdallas.org
972.465.0173