The Walter Camp Football Foundation will recognize host several individuals at its “Ring of Honor” dinner and awards ceremony on Sunday, July 13 at 5 p.m. at Race Brook Country Club in Orange.

Tickets to the July 13 event are $200 each and a table of nine is $1700.   Visit https://waltercamp.org/roh-2025-dinner/#get-tickets or contact Ernie Williams at (203) 530-8379 or ErnieW20@comcast.net or Greg Rocchio at (203) 506-4771 (gwrchiro@aol.com).

The Ring of Honor dinner is part of festivities with the organization’s annual “Ring of Honor” Golf Classic which is July 14 also at Race Brook Country Club.

Ring of Honor – George Rogers (South Carolina), Jeff Burris (Notre Dame)

The Ring of Honor recognizes former players, coaches and individuals who have played a significant role in the Walter Camp Football Foundation’s history and tradition.

George Rogers had a noteworthy college career at the University of South Carolina, where he lettered four years. During his sophomore campaign, Rogers rushed for 1,066 yards despite splitting time in the eight games. As a junior in 1979, he ran for 1,681 yards. Rogers came back to solidify his place in college football in 1980 as a senior, when he led the nation with 1,781 rushing yards, earned consensus All-American honors (including Walter Camp) and won the Heisman Trophy.

Rogers was the first overall selection in the 1981 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. In his seven-year career between New Orleans and Washington, he had four 1,000 yard rushing seasons and combined for a career total of 7,176 rushing yards. He retired from professional football following the 1987 season.

The Ring of Honor recognizes former players, coaches and individuals who have played a significant role in the Walter Camp Football Foundation’s history and tradition.

A 1993 Walter Camp All-America defensive back from the University of Notre Dame, Jeff Burris went on the play 10 professional seasons. A first-round selection (27th overall) by the Buffalo Bills in the 1994 draft, Burris spent four seasons with the Bill before moving on to play for the Indianapolis Colts (1998-2002) and two seasons for the Cincinnati Bengals (2002-03). Across his 10-year career, Burris played in 144 games (120 starts) and recorded 529 tackles, 101 passes defensed, 19 interceptions, six forced fumbles, 5.0 sacks and three fumble recoveries.

Currently, Burris is in his first season as the New York Giants’ cornerbacks coach. This is Burris’ second stint in the NFL after working as the assistant defensive backs coach with the Miami Dolphins from 2013-15.

Rogers and Burris join previous Ring of Honor recipients Kellen Winslow, Jimbo Covert, Herschel Walker, Tony Dorsett, Tim Brown, Cornelius Bennett, Hugh Green, Archie Griffin, and Ty Law.

Distinguished American – Robin Roberts

Robin Roberts, accomplished former student-athlete at Southeastern Louisiana, ABC and ESPN media personality, author, and breast-cancer survivor, was the recipient of the Walter Camp Football Foundation’s “Distinguished American” Award in 2009.

However, Ms. Roberts could not attend the 2010 National Awards weekend due to work obligations out of the country.  Ms. Roberts will be attending the Ring of Honor event to receive her award.

Currently the co-anchor of ABC News’ “Good Morning America” show, Roberts has worked in broadcasting for more than 40 years.

The Walter Camp “Distinguished American” award is presented each year to an individual who has utilized his or her talents to attain great success in business, private life or public service and who may have accomplished that which no other has done. He or she may have a record of dedication to mankind that should not pass unrecognized and a life that has been dedicated to the preservation of the American ideal. The recipient need not have participated in football but must be one who understands its lesson of self-denial, cooperation and teamwork, and one who is a person of honesty, integrity and dedication. He or she must be a leader, an innovator, even a pioneer, who has reached a degree of excellence that distinguishes him or her from contemporaries, as well as someone who lives within the principles of Walter Camp.

Past recipients of the Walter Camp Distinguished American honor include nationally-respected sportscasters Pat Summerall (2004) and Keith Jackson (1995), all-purpose television personality Regis Philbin (2003), NBC Sports Executive Dick Ebersol (1996), former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue (1994), world-renowned entertainer Bob Hope (1985), and former college coach Eddie Robinson (1982). Roberts is the second female to be recognized with this prestigious honor. Actress and community activist Susan Saint James was honored in 1991.

Man of Year – John Randle

NFL Hall of Famer John Randle is the Walter Camp Man of the Year.

The Walter Camp “Man of the Year” award honors an individual who has been closely associated with the game of football as a player, coach or close attendant to the game. He must have attained a measure of success and been a leader in his chosen profession. He must have contributed to the public service for the benefit of his community, country and his fellow man. He must have an impeccable reputation for integrity and must be dedicated to our American Heritage and the philosophy of Walter Camp.

Randle came to the NFL in 1990 as an undrafted rookie free agent from Division II Texas A&I.

Randle joins a distinguished list of former “Man of the Year” winners, including Roger Staubach (Navy), Gale Sayers (Kansas), Dick Butkus (Illinois), John Elway (Stanford), Jerome Bettis (Notre Dame), and Curtis Martin (Pittsburgh).

Randle played 14 professional seasons. Randle’s 114.0 career quarterback sacks rank third in Vikings history and rank as the most by a DT.  Randle earned starting spots for the NFC in six straight Pro Bowls (1993-98) with the Vikings and went to the Pro Bowl in 2001 as a Seahawk, representing the AFC.

Randle was named to the NFL Team of the Decade for the 1990s.   Randle was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame for his Texas A&I career. The Vikings honored him as the 2008 selection for induction to the Ring of Honor. He received the highest honor of the NFL as part of the 2010 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement class.

Champion of Community – Bill O’Brien

Long-time Walter Camp Foundation member and Past President William (Bill) O’Brien is the as the first recipient of the Walter Camp “Champion of Community” award.

Much like Mr. Walter Camp has been labelled as a “Champion of Sport,” the Champion of Community award is presented by the Walter Camp Football Foundation to an individual that has a history of supporting the Foundation’s activities and has gone onto make significant, unique contribution to their community and the greater community which is served by the Foundation.

However, it has been his passion for helping others, and assisting organizations, like the Walter Camp Foundation, to tell their stories and help make things better.  His photography talents have captured many thousands of events on the Shoreline and throughout greater New Haven, and graciously donated to area media outlets that might otherwise have gone unnoticed.

O’Brien first became involved with the Foundation in 1973, attending the national awards dinner with a friend and then volunteered as treasurer.  He served as President of the organization from 1979 to 1981 and has been involved and at the forefront in key Foundation activities since.

For example, in 1988, Bill wrote to then U.S, Congressman Bruce Morrison requesting his assistance to get an official Walter Camp stamp issued.  Fifteen years later August 8, 2003, Mr. Camp, Father of American football, was part of the “Early Football Heroes” stamp issuance.   And it was Bill stumbling upon Mr. Camp’s grave in the Grove Street Cemetery in New Haven in early 1992, and then quickly raising funds to buy a beautifully etched stone that included a short profile of Camp.

His efforts in promoting football led to involvement with the National Football Foundation New Haven County Chapter (which is now named for Bill), and he was among the distinguished officials presiding over the grand opening of the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta in 2017, some five years after serving on the national chapter’s board of directors.

His impact on local sports is also legendary.  He was the first Commissioner of the Southern Connecticut Conference from 1994 to 2005, and made it possible for public and parochial schools, both urban and suburban, to compete.    The Conference continues to honor him each year with a scholarship in his name awarded to two deserving students who embody the “passion of Bill in their school and surrounding communities.”

Keish Sports Communicator Award – Mark Cohen

Former TCU associate athletic director Mark Cohen will be honored with the Walter Camp Sports Communicator Award.

The Walter Camp Sports Communicator award is named in memory of Bill Keish, who was a longtime Foundation member and chairman of the public relations committee. The award originated as the Foundation’s “Media Appreciation” award. It was awarded to local sports media professionals in recognition of their contributions on behalf of the WCFF. It has recently been expanded to a broader scope, recognizing contributions to sports communications. 

Cohen joins former sports communicators Steve Roe (Iowa) and Tim Tessalone (USC) as recipients of the award.

During his time at TCU, Cohen promoted seven football student-athletes that earned Walter Camp All-America honors, including two-time recipient Jerry Hughes (2008 and 2009), and were also recognized with 10 national awards.  Cohen received the Scoop Hudgins Outstanding SID Award in 2009 from the All-American Football Foundation.

He was selected to be part of CoSIDA’s first-ever Diversity & Inclusion Fellowship Program in 2022 and was the recipient of a CoSIDA 25-Year Service Award in 2014.

Honorary Member – Jamie DiLoreto, Boston College

Veteran athletics administrator at Boston College Jamie DiLoreto will be recognized as a Walter Camp Football Foundation Honorary Member at the organization’s Ring of Honor dinner on Sunday, July 13 in Orange, Conn.

Honorary Member designation is bestowed to an individual who has been a supporter of the Walter Camp Foundation and its various activities, initiatives and pursuits.

DiLoreto has worked in the Boston College athletic department since 1993.  Currently, DiLoreto serves as BC’s senior associate athletics director – external relations.  He oversees all communications, creative services, gameday presentation, marketing and promotions, ticket sales, and ticket operations for athletics.  He is a primary contact for corporate sponsorship partnerships with Van Wagner for athletics as well as athletic concessions.  DiLoreto is the liaison for the Boston College Varsity Club and the Hall of Fame. He also oversees the Licensing Program for the University.  DiLoreto is the program administrator for Men’s and Women’s Skiing and the Spirit Program.

 

About the Walter Camp Foundation

Considered the “Father of American Football,” Walter Camp introduced the play from scrimmage, set plays, the numerical assessment of goals and tries and the restriction of play to eleven men per side in 1880.   Nine years later, Mr. Camp, then the Yale University head coach, selected the first-ever college football All-America team. The Walter Camp Football Foundation – a New Haven-based all-volunteer group – was founded in 1967 to perpetuate the ideals of Camp and to continue the tradition of selecting annually an All-America team.  Visit www.waltercamp.org for more information.

 

A Little History

Walter Camp is the nation’s oldest college football All-America team.  Considered the “Father of American Football,” Walter Camp introduced the play from scrimmage, set plays, the numerical assessment of goals and tries and the restriction of play to eleven men per side in 1880.

Nine years later in 1889, Mr. Camp, then the Yale University head coach, selected the first-ever college football All-America team.

The Walter Camp Football Foundation – a New Haven-based all-volunteer group – was founded in 1967 to perpetuate the ideals of Camp and to continue the tradition of selecting annually an All-America team.

Typically announced in early December, the Walter Camp All-America teams are selected by the FBS head coaches and sports information directors.

• From 1889 to 1964, eleven players were selected.
• In 1965, both offensive and defensive teams were picked.
• In 1972, the first punter (Ray Guy, Southern Mississippi) was honored.
• In 1975, the first placekicker (Chris Bahr, Penn State) was selected.
• In 1998, the first-ever Second Team All-America team was recognized.
• In 2001, the first kick returner (Herb Haygood, Michigan State) was picked.

Representations

• Players from 34 different schools and eight conferences (including independents) are represented on the 2025 Walter Camp Preseason All-America First and Second teams.
• The Southeastern Conference has the most schools (12) and players (16) on the 2025 preseason team, followed by the Big Ten (9 schools, 15 players). The Atlantic Coast Conference has nine players from six of its member schools.
• Five schools (Alabama, Clemson, Indiana, Penn State and Texas) have three players on the preseason All-America teams.
• Defending national champion Ohio State and runner-up Notre Dame each have two first team preseason All-Americans.

 

Good to See You Again

• Seven players on the 2025 preseason list earned 2024 Walter Camp All-America First and Second Team honors, led by Ohio State defensive back Caleb Downs (First Team) and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (Second Team).
• Two offensive lineman who earned Second Team All-America honors a year ago – Spencer Fano (Utah) and Kage Casey (Boise State) – are on the First Team preseason list.
• Texas linebacker Anthony Hill, a Second Team honoree last season, is on the 2025 First Team preseason list.
• Two kick returners honored in 2024 are on the 2025 preseason list – Keelan Marion (now playing at Miami; played for BYU in 2024) and Rayshawn Pleasant (now playing at Auburn; played for Tulane in 2024).

 

Please also note:  the Foundation will be announcing the Players to Watch for the 2025 Walter Camp Player of Year on Monday, August 4 as part of the National College Football Awards Association Watch List rollout. 

 

2025 Walter Camp Preseason All-America Teams

* 2024 First Team All-America selection

# – 2024 Second Team All-America selection

 

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE

Wide Receiver:  Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State) #, Ryan Williams (Alabama)

Tight End: Eli Stowers (Vanderbilt)

Offensive Line:  Spencer Fano (Utah) #, Francis Mauigoa (Miami), Kadyn Proctor (Alabama), Kage Casey (Boise State) #

Center: Jake Slaughter (Florida)

Quarterback: Cade Klubnik (Clemson)

Running Back:  Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame), Nicholas Singleton (Penn State)

Placekicker:  Dominic Zvada (Michigan)

 

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

Defensive Line:  Dylan Stewart (South Carolina), Colin Simmons (Texas), Peter Woods (Clemson), Zane Durant (Penn State)

Linebacker:  Anthony Hill (Texas) #, Taurean York (Texas A&M), Kyle Louis (Pittsburgh)

Defensive Back:  Caleb Downs (Ohio State) *, Leonard Moore (Notre Dame), Jermod McCoy (Tennessee), D’Angelo Ponds (Indiana)

Punter:  Brett Thorson (Georgia)

Kick Returner: Keelan Marion (Miami) *

 

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE

Wide Receiver: Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State), Elijah Sarratt (Indiana)

Tight End:  Justin Joly (North Carolina State)

Offensive Line:  Ar’maj Reed-Adams (Texas A&M), Cayden Green (Missouri), Jordan Seaton (Colorado), Olaivavega Ioane (Penn State)

Center:  Logan Jones (Iowa)

Quarterback:  Sam Leavitt (Arizona State)

Running Back:  Makhi Hughes (Oregon), Isaac Brown (Louisville)

Placekickeer:  Caden Chittenden (USC)

 

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE

Defensive Line: Mikhail Kamara (Indiana), Dontay Corleone (Cincinnati), T.J. Parker (Clemson), Tim Keenan III (Alabama)

Linebacker:  Jason Henderson (Old Dominion), Whit Weeks (LSU), Suntarine Perkins (Ole Miss)

Defensive Back: Michael Taaffe (Texas), Dillon Theineman (Oregon), Koi Perich (Minnesota), Isaiah Nwokobia (SMU)

Punter: Ryan Eckley (Michigan State)

Kick Returner: Rayshawn Pleasant (Auburn) #

 

 

Considered the “Father of American Football,” Walter Camp introduced the play from scrimmage, set plays, the numerical assessment of goals and tries and the restriction of play to eleven men per side in 1880.   Nine years later, Mr. Camp, then the Yale University head coach, selected the first-ever college football All-America team. The Walter Camp Football Foundation – a New Haven-based all-volunteer group – was founded in 1967 to perpetuate the ideals of Camp and to continue the tradition of selecting annually an All-America team.  Visit www.waltercamp.org for more information.

 

The Foundation is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). The NCFAA was founded in 1997 as a coalition of the major collegiate football awards to protect, preserve and enhance the integrity, influence and prestige of the game’s predominant awards. The NCFAA encourages professionalism and the highest standards for the administration of its member awards and the selection of their candidates and recipients. For more information, visit the association’s website, www.ncfaa.org

 

Long-time Walter Camp Foundation member and Past President William (Bill) O’Brien will be honored as the first recipient of the Walter Camp “Champion of Community” award.  O’Brien, resident of Branford and member of the Foundation since 1973, will be honored on Sunday, July 13 at 5 p.m. at Race Brook Country Club in Orange as part of festivities with the organization’s annual “Ring of Honor” Golf Classic which is July 14.

Much like Mr. Walter Camp has been labelled as a “Champion of Sport,” the Champion of Community award is presented by the Walter Camp Football Foundation to an individual that has a history of supporting the Foundation’s activities and has gone onto make significant, unique contribution to their community and the greater community which is served by the Foundation.

Bill O’Brien 

“There is no one better than Bill O’Brien to be the inaugural recipient of the Champion of Community Award,” Walter Camp Foundation president John Barbarotta said.  “Anything that involves Walter Camp Foundation, the New Haven and Shoreline communities, or the game of football, has been influenced by Bill, and probably also effectively promoted all of them through his trusty camera.   We are indebted to Bill for his passion and efforts to make things better around him.”

Individual tickets to the July 13 event are $200 and a table of nine is $1700.  Please contact Ernie Williams at (203) 530-8379 or ErnieW20@comcast.net or Greg Rocchio at (203) 506-4771 (gwrchiro@aol.com).

A native of New Haven, O’Brien attended Notre Dame High School and Quinnipiac College.   He then worked in commercial banking for 40-plus years, before retiring in 2005.

However, it has been his passion for helping others, and assisting organizations, like the Walter Camp Foundation, to tell their stories and help make things better.  His photography talents have captured many thousands of events on the Shoreline and throughout greater New Haven, and graciously donated to area media outlets that might otherwise have gone unnoticed.

O’Brien first became involved with the Foundation in 1973, attending the national awards dinner with a friend and then volunteered as treasurer.  He served as President of the organization from 1979 to 1981 and has been involved and at the forefront in key Foundation activities since.

For example, in 1988, Bill wrote to then U.S, Congressman Bruce Morrison requesting his assistance to get an official Walter Camp stamp issued.  Fifteen years later August 8, 2003, Mr. Camp, Father of American football, was part of the “Early Football Heroes” stamp issuance.

And it was Bill stumbling upon Mr. Camp’s grave in the Grove Street Cemetery in New Haven in early 1992, and then quickly raising funds to buy a beautifully etched stone that included a short profile of Camp.

His efforts in promoting football led to involvement with the National Football Foundation New Haven County Chapter (which is now named for Bill), and he was among the distinguished officials presiding over the grand opening of the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta in 2017, some five years after serving on the national chapter’s board of directors.

His community involvements run even more extensively with leadership positions for the Town of Branford Festival, New Haven’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, New Haven Road Race, Branford Sports Hall of Fame, Connecticut Special Olympics, or his efforts to build the Daniel Cosgrove Animal Shelter in Branford for his “love of animals.”

His impact on local sports is also legendary.  He was the first Commissioner of the Southern Connecticut Conference from 1994 to 2005, and made it possible for public and parochial schools, both urban and suburban, to compete.    The Conference continues to honor him each year with a scholarship in his name awarded to two deserving students who embody the “passion of Bill in their school and surrounding communities.”

His numerous awards include an NFF Chapter Leadership Award, Yale University Elm Ivy Award, Connecticut Sports Writers Alliance Gold Key, Connecticut Association of Athletics Directors Distinguished Service Award, and he was the first recipient of the New Haven Register Sportsperson of the Year.

Bill resides in Branford with his wife Maureen and are the parents of Gregory O’Brien and the late Michael O’Brien. They have three grandchildren.

In addition to honoring Bill, the Foundation will also be recognizing several other individuals, including former Walter Camp All-America running back and NFL standout George Rogers with the Ring of Honor award.  Former Notre Dame defensive back Jeff Burris, a 1993 Walter Camp All-American and current New York Giants coach, will also be recognized with the Ring of Honor.

Pro Football Hall of Famer John Randle will receive the Man of the Year award.  Randle, who played collegiately at Texas A&I, went undrafted and then played eleven seasons in the NFL for the Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks.   A six-time First Team All-Pro selection, Randle was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010.

Robin Roberts, accomplished former student-athlete at Southeastern Louisiana, ABC and ESPN media personality, author, and breast-cancer survivor, was the recipient of the Walter Camp Football Foundation’s “Distinguished American” Award in 2009.  However, Ms. Roberts could not attend the 2010 National Awards weekend due to work obligations out of the country.

Ms. Roberts will be attending the Ring of Honor event on July 13 to receive her award.

About the Walter Camp Foundation

Considered the “Father of American Football,” Walter Camp introduced the play from scrimmage, set plays, the numerical assessment of goals and tries and the restriction of play to eleven men per side in 1880.   Nine years later, Mr. Camp, then the Yale University head coach, selected the first-ever college football All-America team. The Walter Camp Football Foundation – a New Haven-based all-volunteer group – was founded in 1967 to perpetuate the ideals of Camp and to continue the tradition of selecting annually an All-America team.  Visit www.waltercamp.org for more information.