11/4/2026 11:06:00 AM | General, Academics
IRVING, Texas – Celebrating 16 years of recognizing leaders who champion student-athlete success, the National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced today the 20 Faculty Athletics Representatives (FARs) selected for the 2026 NFF Faculty Salutes Presented by Fidelity Investments®. Since its inception in 2011, the program has recognized 234 FARs and provided $1.16 million to support academic support services nationwide.
As part of the initiative, each school with a member of the 2026 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments® receives recognition for their faculty athletics representative, and a $5,000 donation per school (a total of $90,000 this year) from Fidelity Investments is made to the academic support services for student-athletes at the schools.
"Behind every great scholar-athlete, there are people who have helped them along the way, and faculty athletics representatives are a big part of that," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning. "They care about these young men and women as students and as people, not just as athletes. Much of what they do happens behind the scenes, and they don't always get the recognition they deserve. We're proud to shine a spotlight on their contributions, and we're grateful to Fidelity Investments for helping us recognize their efforts year after year."
YSU is fortunate to have a pair of outstanding FARs in Dr. Chet Cooper (Biological Sciences) and Barbara Flinn (English department). In their capacity, they serve as liaisons between the faculty and the athletic department, while representing YSU in NCAA, Horizon League and Missouri Valley Football Conference matters. Cooper has has served as the Athletic Department's Faculty Representative since 2009-10. Flinn became a Faculty Athletics Representive the athletic department in the summer of 2023. Anyone who has worked with Cooper and Flinn knows just how dedicated they are to our student-athletes and to this university. Balancing their academic responsibilities with their commitment to athletics is no small task, and their support and guidance make a tremendous impact.
Youngstown State and Ohio State are the two institutions recognized that have two FARs.
Penguins quarterback Beau Brungard was recently named a finalist for the 2026 National Football Foundation William V. Campbell Trophy®, the National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame. The William V. Campbell Trophy® is college football's premier scholar-athlete award that annually recognizes an individual as the absolute best in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership.
This prestigious award is given to only 18 finalists across all levels of NCAA divisions including NAIA. Each finalist will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2026 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments®.
Fidelity Investments, the presenting sponsor of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class, has taken a leadership role with the Faculty Salutes. This initiative reflects their ongoing support of the scholar-athlete ideal and commitment to higher education nationwide. Launched in 2011 as a joint effort between Fidelity and the NFF, the Salutes expand the reach of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards program, which provides $18,000 postgraduate scholarships to college football's top student-athletes.
"At Fidelity, we believe that education, mentorship, and opportunity can help create lasting impact. Faculty Athletics Representatives play a vital role in supporting student-athletes as they balance the demands of competition and academics while preparing for success after graduation," said Sangeeta Moorjani, head of Tax-Exempt Market at Fidelity Investments. "We're proud to partner with the National Football Foundation to recognize these dedicated faculty leaders and celebrate the meaningful difference they make in the lives of students both on and off the field."
The NFF consulted with the 1A Faculty Athletics Representatives (1A FAR) to design the initiative, and the organizations continue to collaborate on its implementation. In 2015, the 1A FAR presented Fidelity with its "Friend of FAR" Award for its efforts with the program, and the group honored the NFF with the same award in 2016.
