31st Annual Scholar-Athlete Awards Banquet
Sunday, April 13, 2025
Indianapolis Colts Gridiron Hall
7001 W. 56th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46254
Reception 4pm
Buffet Dinner 5pm
Awards Program 6-9pm

The NFF Mission is to promote and develop the power of amateur football in developing the qualities of leadership, sportsmanship, competitive zeal, and the drive for academic excellence in America’s young people. The Central Indiana Chapter honors high school scholar athletes with postgraduate scholarships for combined athletic, academic, and leadership attributes.
Our National Football Foundation (NFF) Chapter is a local branch of the larger National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame, an organization dedicated to promoting and supporting amateur football at all levels. The NFF, founded in 1947, works to honor the history and traditions of the sport while also recognizing student-athletes for their academic, leadership, and athletic achievements.
Each NFF Chapter operates at a regional level, helping to further the foundation's mission by engaging with high school and college football communities.
With over 120 chapters across the country, the NFF plays a critical role in preserving the spirit of football while investing in the next generation of leaders. Each chapter operates independently but follows the broader mission of the national organization.
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Follow the NFF Central Indiana Chapter on Instagram |
DISTINGUISHED AMERICAN AWARD
Carl Barzilauskas
Carl Barzilauskas left an indelible impression...whether it was Carl's sheer size, his talent on the football field, his kind heart, or the work he did for many years as the board president of the National Football Foundation's Central Indiana Chapter. Carl first came to the Hoosier state from his native Connecticut in 1970, and in four years would work his way into a first round NFL pick, selected sixth by the New York Jets in the 1974 draft. In the 50 years since that selection, only four other Hoosiers have been selected in the first round. After 70 games played in the NFL with the Jets and the Packers, an injury effectively ended Carl's playing days in 1979. Following his days on the gridiron, Carl would return to Bloomington on a full-time basis and would enter the business world with the same skill he displayed on a football field. His business interests varied from the food and beverage sector, to a hardware store, and to a fitness center that would become the Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy Center, which was part of the family's business portfolio for over two decades.
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Thank you.