It doesn’t matter what teams are playing, what level it is or even where it is — Jon Adams will find a football game. Admittedly, Adams is a true football junkie. The game is a huge part of his life and always has been, and it’s because of his love, commitment and dedication to the game that h e is being honored by Delaware Valley Chapter of the National Football Foundation with the George O’Gorman Contribution to Amateur Football Award. “I love this game,’’ declared Adams, who was the longtime coach at Nottingham. “I have traveled all over the country to learn from the best schools and coaches in this country: USC, Alabama. Notre Dame, LSU, Clemson, West Virgina, Penn State — wherever the best coaches were. I wanted to learn about this game. I picked the brain of anyone and everyone I could to get better, including my adversaries like John McKenna, Jay Graber, Coach Chappy Moore. I wanted to be the best and learn from the best. I brought in great coaches like John Berei, Frank Gatto, Robert Donaldson, CJ McKenna, Bobby Harris and many others.’’ The 64th Annual George Wah Scholar-Leader-Athlete Awards Dinner, hosted by the Delaware Valley Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, will be held Sunday, March 8 at the Princeton Marriott at Forrestal in Princeton, NJ. Over $30,000 in scholarships will be presented to Scholar-Leader-Athletes from area high schools. The dinner is begins at 2 p.m. at Princeton Marriott at Forrestal. Scholar-leader-athletes from 20 schools in Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean counties are being honored with $30,500 in scholarships awarded. For dinner/ticket information contact Steve Tuckerson at 609-202-4166 or email [email protected] While individuals from the coaching, officiating, collegiate and youth football ranks are honored, the stars of the program are the Scholar-Leader-Athletes of the Delaware Valley Chapter, chosen by their respective schools based on their achievements in academics, in their community, and on the playing field. All scholar-leader-athletes will receive at least a $1,000 scholarship. The Delaware Valley Chapter will also present the following top scholarships: $5,000 — Jack Stephen Scholarship, $4,000 — Steven “Coach Gaz” Gazdek Scholarship, $3,000 — Ron Rick Sr. Scholarship, $2,000 — Ed Cook Scholarship, and $1,500 — Ed “Windy” Morris Scholarship. The Robert F. Casciola Distinguished American Award is the most prestigious award bestowed by the Chapter. This year’s recipient is Ken Fisher, Owner/President of Nassau Communications and a member of the Chapter’s Board of Directors for two decades. Hank Johns Coaches Award is Stephen Everette, Burlington Twp.; Brandon Deckard from West Windsor-Plainsboro will be recognized as the John McKenna Assistant Coaches Award; the Jack Milliard Officials Award will be presented to Will Mansfield; the Delaware Valley Chapter Little Scholar is Brady Rowan, from the Hopewell Valley YFCA; the Eunice Kennedy Schriver Champion Award honoree is Joseph Burr; the Nick Gusz “Good Guy” Award will be presented to Bob Harris; the Tony Persichilli Meritorious Award goes to Breanne O’Neill, from WBCB; the Judge Arthur Lane/Princeton University Scholar-Leader-Athlete recipient is Marco Scarano; and the Earl H. Dean/The College of New Jersey Scholar-Leader-Athlete is Dylan Patscher. The high school Scholar-Leader-Athlete seniors being honored are Allentown’s Kevin Cunningham, Bordentown’s Calvin Nice, Burlington Township’s Jordan Wimberly, Ewing’s Ryan Greig, Florence’s Conor Clevenger, Hamilton West’s Brody Hunt, Hightstown’s Aidan Schendlinger, Hopewell Valley’s Matthew Helmrich, Hun’s Alex Russey, Lawrence’s Zack Hartman, Lawrenceville’s Michael Zampardi, New Egypt’s Clyde Ferris, Notre Dame’s Dominic Cuniglio III, Pennington’s Bryce Werner, Princeton’s Anderson Potter, Robbinsville’s Drew Damasiewicz, Steinert’s Gabriel Pena Bak, Trenton’s Aivaye Ingram and West Windsor-Plainsboro’s Kavin Kumar. During Adams’ legendary career as the Nottingham coach he led the Northstars to the NJSIAA Playoffs 13 times, and in 2012 Nottingham was the Central Jersey Group III champion. He has been recognized by the Delaware Valley Chapter as the Hank Johns Coach of the Year twice, he received the Father Clarence O’Shea Coach of the Year Award, and seven times Adams has been recognized by The Trentonian and Trenton Times as the Coach of the Year. The Trentonian named Adams the Sportsman of the Year in 2012. The Award takes on a greater meaning for Adams due to fact it is named in honor of famed Trentonian sportswriter George O’Gorman, who chronicled Adams’ feats from his playing days to his amazing coaching career. “George was a great supporter of mine, even in the dark times,’’ said Adams, recalling his first three years. “That my name is on an award named after George really means a lot to me. George promoted the game and always was a strong supporter of Mercer County football and my football program. I had many great conversations with him over the years, and he always was a great friend. I am truly humbled to receive this award. George was a great friend to me. I miss him dearly.’’ Adams has also coached state track championships, he’s been involved with Pop Warner, and he has been a staunch supporter of the 12th Man Touchdown Club. The coach is well aware that none of it could’ve been accomplished without the love and support of his family. “I am nothing without their support, especially Elaine Adams,’’ Adams stated. “She is the one who now kicks my butt to get back out there and coach. After my injuries I became the AD at Nottingham. I was climbing the walls because I had to watch the game from afar. I stayed away despite being miserable that I couldn’t coach. It was a hard time for me. “She wants me back on the sideline. I coached a few youth teams and helped out where I could with camps when asked. However, I miss coaching football. The entire time I had the support of my family. I love them dearly.’’ A professed ‘football junkie’ and a very deserving George O’Gorman Award recipient. ...read more read less