The Rochester Chapter of the National Football Foundation has passed out more than $180,000 for modest scholarships to high school, youth and college cheerleaders and players – tackle and flag – over the course of 22 years.
Wade Bianco, the chapter’s president and a member of the Section V Football Hall of Fame, said the group’s commitee is ready to do it again December 14 during an annual banquet.
Coaches can start a two-step nomination for $500 and $250 scholarship awards for players and cheerleaders in their senior year at www.rochesternff.org. Nominees then are contacted by the Rochester Chapter NFF committee.
Award winners in 2024 went to schools in the Rochester City School District, the Monroe County league, the Livingston County league, the Wayne County region, Finger Lakes region and Genesee County region or studied either at private or charter schools.
“The main thing is recognizing the kids who are going to school the right way, acting the right way in their communities, getting good grades with excellence on the field,” Bianco said.
“I’m tired of hearing about the kids who don’t do things the right way. What about the 14-year-old that gets five 90s (on their report card)?”
James Johnson, who grew up in the city of Rochester, has worked as a full-time journalist covering high school sports for the Democrat and Chronicle since 1996. His career began as an intern during the summer of 1990, before the start of his senior year at Edison in the Rochester City School District. He has become a two-time winner of the Rochester Press-Radio Club’s Sports Media Excellence Award.
