March 4, 2002

LUBBOCK, Texas - A local chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame is being formed in Lubbock, it was announced Monday. Dubbed the Texas Tech Chapter, it becomes the 119th chapter in the country that will assist in ensuring support of amateur football.

"We are excited that a chapter here is being formed," said Texas Tech Director of Athletics Gerald Myers. "It will be beneficial to Texas Tech and to high school football in our area."

The Texas Tech Chapter will serve two main purposes. First, each member of the chapter will have a voice in the nomination and selection of players into the College Hall of Fame. Currently, only two Red Raiders -- E. J. Holub and Donny Anderson -- have been inducted into the College Hall of Fame while 14 others meet eligibility criteria. Secondly, the chapter will provide a vehicle to honor high school football scholar-athletes at an annual Awards Banquet. The initial banquet is scheduled for April 29 at the City Bank Room in the United Spirit Arena. Former Texas Tech football coach Spike Dykes will be the headline speaker and a scholar-athlete will be honored from each of the 11 football-participating high schools in Lubbock County.

"Our next step is sign-up charter members for our chapter," said Pat Hartsfield, who is the Texas Tech Chapter chairman. "A member can be anybody who is interested in supporting amateur football. We have to have a minimum of 50 members before we officially become a chapter."

Membership dues begin at $40 to $1,000 a year, depending on level of participation. A number of amenities are included with each membership. Texas chapters previously have been formed in Austin, College Station, Waco, Dallas and Houston.

The Texas Tech Chapter Awards Banquet will recognize seniors from the four LISD schools, Lubbock Christian, Frenship, Roosevelt, Cooper, Slaton, New Deal and Idalou. Selection is based on 40% athletic accomplishments, 40% academic accomplishments and 20% community service. Other awards to be presented will be the Contribution of Amateur Football Award, which is given to a person who has devoted much of his life in support of football, and the Outstanding Official Award given to an outstanding football official.

The Texas Tech Chapter hopes to expand its base of honored high school scholar-athletes and present scholarship assistance to economically disadvantaged high school football players in the future.

Banquet tickets are $340 for a table of eight for a non-chapter member, $300 for a table of eight for a chapter member or $40 for individual tickets.

For membership or banquet ticket information, contact Joe Hornaday at 742-1195.