Four people — including Neil Rudel, the longtime Penn State football writer for the Altoona Mirror — will be honored at next month’s Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Football Foundation banquet.
Frank Girardi (Lycoming College), Jacquie George (Jersey Shore High School) and Charles “Buss” Carr (Selinsgrove) will also be honored for their contributions to high school and college football at the March 25 ceremony, which will feature Penn State coach Bill O’Brien as keynote speaker.
The banquet starts at 1:30 p.m., at the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased through Bill Nichol at 814-238-2127.
At least 12 area student-athletes will receive $1,000 scholarships.
Rudel, the managing editor of the Altoona Mirror and the longest-tenured writer covering Penn State football, will be presented with the first-ever Fran Fisher Award for Excellence in Sports Journalism. Rudel has covered high school and college sports since 1978.
Girardi won 257 games in 36 years at Lycoming College and will be presented with a lifetime achievement award.
George will be presented with the first-ever Athletic Trainer of the Year Award, and Carr will honored for his service to the sport and state after 52 of officiating high school football.
The banquet is one day before Penn State opens spring practice March 26.
