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There were a ton of firsts at the ninth annual NFF Collier banquet.
Most scholarship money ever given out. An unprecedented donation. And a pair of schools with two first-time winners.
Gulf Coast's Javien Altine became the first Shark to win the Joanne and George Downing Scholar-Athlete Award, which is viewed as the premier award at the banquet. Immokalee's Chris Germinal was the first Indian to win the Peter Aron Award of Excellence, also a premier award valued at $10,000.
"This is a surreal feeling," Altine said. "The fact that I got selected for this scholarship, I worked really hard for this, and glad I got this. I was able to go on both sides for my team and persevering over injury and not letting it stop me and my senior season. I was able to get back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, breaking that record, and breaking another record with 17 touchdowns."
Altine received All-Southwest Florida Second Team Offense Honors by The News-Press and Naples Daily News after rushing for 1,240 yards and 16 touchdowns, giving him back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons. On defense, Altine finished with 50 tackles (9 for loss), 5 sacks, a forced fumble, and an interception.
"He's the reason for the new direction of the program," Gulf Coast coach Manny Evans said. "There's always special kids that go through a program, and then there's program-changing type of kids. When you look at the program itself and you're looking at the list of names, and you don't see a Gulf Coast winner since the inception of the National Football Foundation here in Collier County, for Javien Altine to be the first Shark to ever win it, it's truly fitting.
"We aren't successful this past season without Javien Altine. We're not. Offensively, defensively, special teams, you name it. Weight room guy, in charge of it. Just a total program changer. Just beyond happy. It's a testament to who he is as a young man right now. There's nothing but big things awaiting him at Carson-Newman University and can't wait to see the next chapter."
Germinal saw his senior season cut short due to an injury on his non-throwing hand, but that didn't affect him in a negative way in the classroom or on the field. He threw for 628 yards and five touchdowns, adding 193 yards and four rushing scores in seven games played.
"This trophy, this award gave me another motivation because I doubted myself this year a lot," Germinal said. "... This means a lot. Knowing my family is here with me. I've got my niece; she looks up to me. I always put school first. I have a 3.8 GPA. I think I'm graduating with a 4.1. This shows that off the field matters, knowing that you've got two things to help you go to college."
There was a lot of unexpected twists and turns in the midst of the banquet. The Sellitto scholarships, both valued at $5,000 entering the night, saw their scholarships double to $10,000, bringing the total to $72,500 in scholarship money being handed out. Those awards went to Barron Collier linebacker Jonny Traub and Marco Island's Jonathan Juels.
On top of that lump sum handed out by the National Football Foundation, billionaire philanthropist David Hoffmann gave each athlete $5,000 — $2,500 to the student-athlete and $2,500 to the football program of each school — amounting to $137,000, which more than doubled last year's total of $56,000.
Hoffmann was the recipient of the Matthew T. Sellitto Community Service Award, having played quarterback in high school and college in Missouri. Hoffmann owns the Hoffmann Family of Companies, which includes the Florida Everblades will soon include the Pittsburgh Penguins, pending NHL approval.
Aside from Hoffmann being honored, he was joined by Immokalee legend Javarris James, who was the recipient of the Collier County Legend award. Football official Brad Robinson received the Contributions to the Game award, while Congressman and gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds received the Distinguished American Award.
Former Lely quarterback Carter Quinn was also recognized by the National Football Foundation, receiving the Courageous Player Award. Quinn has been fighting leukemia since December 2024 and was unable to play this past season due to the illness. As a junior with the Trojans, he threw for 2,500 yards with 26 touchdowns, adding 257 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns before being named a Naples Daily News All-Area First Team selection.
With Altine winning Saturday's premier award, his name will be forever implanted at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta. Whether Altine makes a trip down from Carson-Newman by himself or decides to go with his family, he expects it to be emotional.
"It'll just be like, wow," Altine said, envisioning that moment. "That's a big thing."
Follow Sports Reporter Alex Martin on X: @NP_AlexMartin. For the best sports coverage in Southwest Florida, follow @newspresssports and @ndnprepzone on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Record $137,000 in scholarship money handed out at NFF Collier banquet
Continue reading...
Most scholarship money ever given out. An unprecedented donation. And a pair of schools with two first-time winners.
Gulf Coast's Javien Altine became the first Shark to win the Joanne and George Downing Scholar-Athlete Award, which is viewed as the premier award at the banquet. Immokalee's Chris Germinal was the first Indian to win the Peter Aron Award of Excellence, also a premier award valued at $10,000.
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"This is a surreal feeling," Altine said. "The fact that I got selected for this scholarship, I worked really hard for this, and glad I got this. I was able to go on both sides for my team and persevering over injury and not letting it stop me and my senior season. I was able to get back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, breaking that record, and breaking another record with 17 touchdowns."
Altine received All-Southwest Florida Second Team Offense Honors by The News-Press and Naples Daily News after rushing for 1,240 yards and 16 touchdowns, giving him back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons. On defense, Altine finished with 50 tackles (9 for loss), 5 sacks, a forced fumble, and an interception.
"He's the reason for the new direction of the program," Gulf Coast coach Manny Evans said. "There's always special kids that go through a program, and then there's program-changing type of kids. When you look at the program itself and you're looking at the list of names, and you don't see a Gulf Coast winner since the inception of the National Football Foundation here in Collier County, for Javien Altine to be the first Shark to ever win it, it's truly fitting.
You must be registered for see images attach
"We aren't successful this past season without Javien Altine. We're not. Offensively, defensively, special teams, you name it. Weight room guy, in charge of it. Just a total program changer. Just beyond happy. It's a testament to who he is as a young man right now. There's nothing but big things awaiting him at Carson-Newman University and can't wait to see the next chapter."
Germinal saw his senior season cut short due to an injury on his non-throwing hand, but that didn't affect him in a negative way in the classroom or on the field. He threw for 628 yards and five touchdowns, adding 193 yards and four rushing scores in seven games played.
"This trophy, this award gave me another motivation because I doubted myself this year a lot," Germinal said. "... This means a lot. Knowing my family is here with me. I've got my niece; she looks up to me. I always put school first. I have a 3.8 GPA. I think I'm graduating with a 4.1. This shows that off the field matters, knowing that you've got two things to help you go to college."
You must be registered for see images attach
There was a lot of unexpected twists and turns in the midst of the banquet. The Sellitto scholarships, both valued at $5,000 entering the night, saw their scholarships double to $10,000, bringing the total to $72,500 in scholarship money being handed out. Those awards went to Barron Collier linebacker Jonny Traub and Marco Island's Jonathan Juels.
On top of that lump sum handed out by the National Football Foundation, billionaire philanthropist David Hoffmann gave each athlete $5,000 — $2,500 to the student-athlete and $2,500 to the football program of each school — amounting to $137,000, which more than doubled last year's total of $56,000.
Hoffmann was the recipient of the Matthew T. Sellitto Community Service Award, having played quarterback in high school and college in Missouri. Hoffmann owns the Hoffmann Family of Companies, which includes the Florida Everblades will soon include the Pittsburgh Penguins, pending NHL approval.
Aside from Hoffmann being honored, he was joined by Immokalee legend Javarris James, who was the recipient of the Collier County Legend award. Football official Brad Robinson received the Contributions to the Game award, while Congressman and gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds received the Distinguished American Award.
You must be registered for see images attach
Former Lely quarterback Carter Quinn was also recognized by the National Football Foundation, receiving the Courageous Player Award. Quinn has been fighting leukemia since December 2024 and was unable to play this past season due to the illness. As a junior with the Trojans, he threw for 2,500 yards with 26 touchdowns, adding 257 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns before being named a Naples Daily News All-Area First Team selection.
With Altine winning Saturday's premier award, his name will be forever implanted at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta. Whether Altine makes a trip down from Carson-Newman by himself or decides to go with his family, he expects it to be emotional.
"It'll just be like, wow," Altine said, envisioning that moment. "That's a big thing."
NFF Collier County Chapter 2025 Honorees
| Award | Winner(s) |
| NFF Student Athlete ($2,500) | Gavin Johannesen, Aubrey RogersNathanael Ferrer, Golden GateEli Chery, NaplesJefferson Vigil-Castro, Palmetto Ridge |
| Special Olympics ($2,500) | Javier Gomez, Immokalee |
| Community Service ($3,500) | Owen Pritchard, First Baptist |
| Charlie Gogolak ($4,000) | Noah Brown, Lely |
| Jeffrey and Maureen Maconaghy ($5,000) | Peyton Frontino, St. John Neumann |
| Riddell NFF Leadership ($7,500) | Sean McNamara, Community School |
| Matthew C. Sellitto ($10,000) | Jonny Traub, Barron Collier |
| Jonathan D. Sellitto ($10,000) | Jonathan Juels, Marco Island |
| Peter Aron Award of Excellence ($10,000) | Chris Germinal, Immokalee |
| Joanne and George Downing Scholar-Athlete ($10,000) | Javien Altine, Gulf Coast |
| Distinguished American | Congressman Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) |
| Collier County Legend | Javarris James, Immokalee, Indianapolis Colts/Arizona Cardinals |
| Matthew T. Sellitto Community Service | David Hoffmann, Hoffmann Family of Companies |
| Contributions to the Game | Brad Robinson, football official |
Follow Sports Reporter Alex Martin on X: @NP_AlexMartin. For the best sports coverage in Southwest Florida, follow @newspresssports and @ndnprepzone on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Record $137,000 in scholarship money handed out at NFF Collier banquet
Continue reading...
