History
The Touchdown Club is the oldest sports organization in Summit County, established
in 1941. The original goal of the Club was to serve the University of Akron's football
program as a booster club. It started as part of the University of Akron's "A"
Association organization (Akron's lettermen's club) to raise money for recruiting
and to aid football coach Otis Douglas. When World War II began, Douglas left the
University for the Navy and a disagreement with President Hezzelton Simmons caused
the Touchdown Club to separate from the "A" Association. It became its own organization
on November 5, 1942. The first president of the Touchdown Club was Edward H. Nahm.
After the Club became an independent organization, new objectives were set which changed the purpose and focus of the Touchdown Club. The new objectives included sponsoring and supporting activities for the youth of our community. The club was now an organization dedicated to helping the youth of Summit County.
The first banquet was held in 1942 and the first football trophy was presented to the City Series champion Kenmore High School. Awards were also presented to the All-City football players. The club spent its entire treasury of $400 to bring in its first speaker, Don Hutson, one of the greatest receivers in NFL history. Other speakers of note have been Red Grange, Otto Graham, Woody Hayes, Ara Parseghian, Duffy Daughterty, Bo Schembechler, and Joe Paterno. Some of the basketball speakers were Jerry Lucas, Oscar Robertson, John Wooden, Bobby Knight, Fred Taylor, and Digger Phelps. These are only a few of the more than 60 speakers to appear before the Touchdown Club banquets.
Through the years, the Touchdown Club has been involved in a number of projects dealing with the youth of our community. In the mid-'40's it started the 12 team high school football preview; has been involved with the Junior Olympics for the handicapped; have provided trophies and awards for the Pee-Wee and Bantam football, CYO and Akron Public School Programs.
Its most publicized program dates back to the "40's and 50's---the Fun vs. Vandalism campaign which involved all schools in an effort to curb trouble at Halloween. High school athletes along with the Student Council president would visit each grade school to talk about this program which was attributed with reducing damage and trouble during the Halloween season.
Today, the Touchdown Club holds two major banquets to honor outstanding male and female high school student athletes and coaches in the Summit and Portage County areas. In 1953, the Club began awarding college scholarships and to date 202 athletes have received stipends ranging from $100 to $1,000. Total amount tops $152,000. The Club's only source of income for its two banquets and scholarship awards is its membership campaign each fall.
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» Coach of the Year
» Past Recipients
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» Portage Volleyball
» Players of the Year
» Officers and Board
» George Boss Award
» Scholarships
» Online Application
» Download Application
» Sportsmanship
» Contacts
Greater Akron Area Touchdown Club