Dec. 9, 2008

CLEVELAND, OHIO -- Northeastern Ohio Chapter of the National Football Foundation has changed its name to honor National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Executive Director Mike Cleary beginning immediately. The chapter will now carry the name "Michael J. Cleary Northeastern Ohio Chapter," recognizing the efforts of NACDA's executive director, who is in his 44th year at the helm of the organization.

The announcement was made during the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) Annual Awards Dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City on December 9. This year marked the 61st Anniversary of the organization. A capacity crowd of 1,500-plus attended the event.

"Mike has always been a long-time supporter of the National Football Foundation and all of its efforts," stated NACDA President Joan Cronan, women's director of athletics at the University of Tennessee. "He has been a behind-the-scenes organizer of the Northeastern Ohio Chapter for the past 20 years and to have this chapter named in his honor is a testament to his leadership."

During the dinner, attendees also witnessed the induction of the 2008 College Football Hall of Fame Class, as well as the presentation of the organization's highest honor, the NFF Gold Medal. Several more of college football's most prestigious honors were bestowed at the event, including the Distinguished American Award; the Outstanding Contribution to Amateur Football Award; the John L. Toner Award for superior abilities in athletics administration; the Outstanding Football Official Award; and the Chris Schenkel Award for excellence in broadcasting.

In 1995, Cleary received the NFF award for the Outstanding Contribution to Amateur Football, and since 1999, has served on the NFF Board of Directors.

The 2009 Mike Cleary Northeastern Ohio Chapter Awards Dinner will take place on May 11 at LaCentre in Westlake, Ohio. NACDA Past President and Ohio State Director of Athletics Gene Smith will be honored with the Chapter's Distinguished American Award, while OSU Head Football Coach Jim Tressel will again be on hand to present the Ohio College Coach-of-the-Year Award, named in honor of his father, Lee.

About NACDA: NACDA, now in its 44th year, is the professional and educational association for more than 6,500 college athletics administrators at more than 1,600 institutions throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. More than 2,300 athletics administrators annually attend the NACDA Convention. Additionally, NACDA administers 11 professional associations that come under the umbrella of the Athletics Director. For more information, visit www.nacda.com.

About The National Football Foundation: Founded in 1947 with leadership from General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl "Red" Blaik and immortal journalist Grantland Rice, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame, a non-profit educational organization, runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship and athletic achievement in young people. With 121 chapters and 12,000 members nationwide, NFF programs include the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind., the NFF Hampshire Honor Society, Play It Smart, and scholarships of over $1 million for college and high school scholar-athletes. The NFF presents the MacArthur Trophy, the Draddy Trophy, presented by HealthSouth, and releases the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) Standings. For more information on the NFF, please visit www.footballfoundation.com.