IRVING, Texas, Oct. 13, 2022 – The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced on Thursday five individuals who will be recognized with 2022 NFF Legacy Awards during the 64th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas Dec. 6 at Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. The NFF Legacy Awards, established in 2007, honor individuals and organizations who have made extraordinary contributions to the NFF and/or embody its mission.
This year's honorees are:
- Bob Bowlsby, Former Big 12 Conference Commissioner
- Tom Burnett, Former Southland Conference Commissioner
- Dr. Dennis Thomas, Former Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Commissioner
- Craig Thompson, Outgoing Mountain West Conference Commissioner
- Bob Vecchione, Outgoing NACDA Chief Executive Officer
"College football relies on a wide range of individuals with a diverse set of talents to ensure the game's future," NFF Chairman Archie Manning said. "Bob Bowlsby, Tom Burnett, Dennis Thomas, Craig Thompson and Bob Vecchione have all been longtime supporters of the NFF and college football, and all four have left a lasting impact on college sports. We are proud to recognize them as ambassadors for the game with NFF Legacy Awards. They have all made the NFF the best it can be."
Dr. Dennis Thomas
Dr. Dennis Thomas served as the commissioner of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) from 2002 until his retirement in December 2021. A member of the NFF Board of Trustees from 1997-2008 and again since 2020, he will also be honored on Dec. 6 as a member of the 2022 College Football Hall of Fame Class.
As MEAC commissioner, Dr. Thomas negotiated a multi-million-dollar TV contract with ESPN. He was instrumental in the creation of the Celebration Bowl, the annual game between the MEAC and SWAC champions currently played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. He also forged a partnership with the NFF beginning in 2016 to announce the MEAC Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year during events surrounding the NFF Annual Awards Dinner.
Dr. Thomas was also instrumental in forging a partnership with the NFL to improve officiating and provide access for MEAC officials to advance to the next level. In May 2016, he helped broker an off-the-field partnership between the NFL and the MEAC to boost opportunities for non-playing careers in professional football.
Dr. Thomas was a two-time First Team All-America center at Alcorn State, where he became the only offensive lineman to ever be named the SWAC Offensive Player of the Year. Prior to the MEAC, Dr. Thomas served as an assistant football coach at Alcorn State, the head coach at South Carolina State for three years and the athletics director at Hampton University from 1990-2002. After earning his bachelor's degree from Alcorn State, he later earned his master's from the University of Louisiana at Monroe and his doctorate from the University at Buffalo.
"Dennis Thomas has accomplished so much during his storied career in college athletics," NFF President & Chief Executive Officer Steve Hatchell said. "From his Hall of Fame playing days at Alcorn State to his posts guiding Hampton and the MEAC, he has long been a champion for the NFF and the game of football. The MEAC has a strong history, and we have enjoyed partnering with them to announce their players of the year during our Annual Awards Dinner. He has been an invaluable member of the NFF Board and a longtime friend, and we salute him on his retirement last December."