National Football Foundation Collier to give over $45,000 in scholarships, honor Lukas Masterson
In its sixth year, the National Football Foundation’s Collier County chapter has only seen growth and renewed commitment to its yearly scholar-athlete banquet.
At over $45,000, the banquet is set to give out the most scholarship money yet this Saturday at the Naples Grande Beach Resort.
“This should be more about what the good they’re doing in our society,” NFF President Matt Sellitto said. “We need to have more young people looking up to that kid instead of that kid. I want to play on that team. Our formula is 40 percent academic, 40 percent athleticism, and 20 percent citizenship.
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“We have to in this country start bragging about the good kids. That’s the only way we get the younger ones to then emulate them. I’ve believed in this for over 30 years. I think this is the right thing.”
There will be 12 candidates, 11 of which are football players from Collier County high schools. A 12th Special Olympic athlete has been added for this year. Each candidate is guaranteed $2,500 in scholarship money, with all 12 candidates vying for the $10,000 grand prize.
Robb Mackett, a board member and head of the Greater Naples Officials Association, called this year’s group of candidates “impressive.”
“When you look at the résumés of these athletes, you’re blown away,” Mackett said. “You’re blown away by the scores they get on their SATs and ACTs, their grade-point averages, and what they’ve been able to contribute to society already, I’m blown away by some of them. It’s a difficult decision to make for our committee and board to evaluate each résumé that comes to us.”
The NFF Collier Chapter will also be handing out three awards: the Collier County Legend award, the Distinguished American award, and the Contributions to the Game award.
Gulf Coast alum Lukas Masterson will be the recipient of the Collier County Legend award, while Washington Commanders defensive line coach Jeff Zgonina is receiving the Contributions to the Game award. Charlie Gogolak fled communism in Hungary and will receive the Distinguished American award.
“When we asked Charlie if he would be the Distinguished American, he said, ‘Thank you. By all means. This is the greatest country on the face of the Earth,’” Mackett said.
Masterson’s story is one that could likely relate to the athletes that will be in attendance. At 25 years old, he sat the first eight weeks for the Las Vegas Raiders after being undrafted. He played the final nine games for Las Vegas and started at linebacker after playing as a defensive back at Wake Forest.
“I think when you watch Lukas Masterson, and you follow his career throughout college when he was at Wake Forest, he became a captain, a team leader,” Mackett said. “You watch him make tackles all over the field. He was unbelievable when he was at Wake. He doesn’t get drafted, but he’s undeterred. He signs with the Raiders the day after the draft, and now he’s a starter at linebacker.
“… When I think of Lukas Masterson, I think of intelligence, hard work, dedication, and devotion. He’s probably not the most gifted athlete of all time, but he’s worked so hard to get where he’s at today. I’m so proud of him. We should all be so proud of what he’s been able to do in the NFL. He’s the true scholar-athlete.”
Meet the NFF Collier Scholar Athletes for 2023
Chase Atterbury, Community School
Ted Blanchard, Immokalee
Jamie Cisneros III, Lely
Wilson Bartolon, Golden Gate
Anthony Della Posta, Palmetto Ridge
Daniel Donaldson, Marco Island Academy
Nick Fredette, Naples
Steven Sedio, St. John Neumann
Henry Takacs, Gulf Coast
Brandon Torres, Barron Collier
Michael Votta, First Baptist
Aurelius Walton, Palmetto Ridge
Follow Southwest Florida Sports Writer Alex Martin on Twitter: @NP_AlexMartin. For the best sports coverage in Southwest Florida, follow @newspresssports and @ndnprepzone on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: NFF Collier banquet to hand out over $45,000 in scholarship money
