McNair Recognized As HSU Gets $5,000 Donation From National Football Foundation

IRVING, Texas (Nov. 4, 2026) – The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced the names of the 20 Faculty Athletics Representatives (FARs) who will be recognized as part of the 2026 NFF Faculty Salutes Presented by Fidelity Investments®, honoring the significant contributions of faculty athletics representatives across the nation.

With Harrison Foster being named a finalist for the Campbell Trophy as part of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class, Dr. Chris McNair, the longtime Faculty Athletic Representative and current Provost for Hardin-Simmons, receives recognition by Fidelity Insurance.

As part of the initiative, each school with a finalist receives recognition for their faculty athletics representative, and a $5,000 donation per school (a total of $90,000 this year) from Fidelity Investments is made to support the academic support services for student-athletes at the schools. Including this year’s honorees, the salutes have recognized 234 FARs since the program’s inception, and Fidelity has made a total of $1.16 million in donations.

“Behind every great scholar-athlete, there are people who have helped them along the way, and faculty athletics representatives are a big part of that,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning. “They care about these young men and women as students and as people, not just as athletes. Much of what they do happens behind the scenes, and they don’t always get the recognition they deserve. We’re proud to shine a spotlight on their contributions, and we’re grateful to Fidelity Investments for helping us recognize their efforts year after year.”

The NFF will recognize 20 Faculty Athletics Representatives from the 18 schools with a member of the 2026 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments, including (names of the scholar-athletes in parentheses):

• Auburn University: Dr. Duane Brandon (Byrum Brown, QB, 3.81 GPA)
• Boise State University: Dr. Roger Munger (Maddux Madsen, QB, 3.68 GPA)
• Florida State University: Dr. Michael Brady (Duce Robinson, WR, 3.90 GPA)
• Hardin-Simmons University (TX): Dr. Chris McNair (Harrison Foster, S, 3.91 GPA)
• Harding University (AR): Dr. Stephen Burks (Andrew Miller, RB, 3.66 GPA)
• Hillsdale College (MI): Dr. Sam Webster (Shea Ruddy, WR/KR, 3.72 GPA)
• Montana State University: Dr. Dawn Tarabochia (Titan Fleischmann, OL, 3.81 GPA)
• Northwestern University: Dr. Wesley R. Burghardt (Robert Fitzgerald, DB, 3.71 GPA)
• Ohio State University: Dr. John Davidson, Dr. Timothy Haab (Carson Hinzman, OL, 3.41 GPA)
• Oklahoma State University: Dr. Stephen Clarke (Ethan Wesloski, LB, 3.86 GPA)
• Texas Christian University: Dr. Eric Simanek (Jaden Craig, QB, 3.56 GPA)
• University of Alabama: Dr. James E. King Jr. (Bray Hubbard, DB, 3.58 GPA)
• University of Georgia: David Shipley (Gunner Stockton, QB, 3.27 GPA)
• University of Kentucky: Joseph L. Fink III (Ty Bryant, DB, 3.83 GPA)
• University of Oregon: Joshua Gordon (Dante Moore, QB, 3.27 GPA)
• University of Tennessee: Dr. Matt Harris (Arion Carter, LB, 3.53 GPA)
• Vanderbilt University: Tracey George (Nick Rinaldi, LB, 3.97 GPA)
• Youngstown State University: Dr. Chet Cooper, Barbara Flinn (Beau Brungard, QB, 3.82 GPA)

Fidelity Investments, the presenting sponsor of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class, has taken a leadership role with the Faculty Salutes. This initiative reflects their ongoing support of the scholar-athlete ideal and commitment to higher education nationwide. Launched in 2011 as a joint effort between Fidelity and the NFF, the Salutes expand the reach of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards program, which provides $18,000 postgraduate scholarships to college football’s top student-athletes.

“At Fidelity, we believe that education, mentorship, and opportunity can help create lasting impact. Faculty Athletics Representatives play a vital role in supporting student-athletes as they balance the demands of competition and academics while preparing for success after graduation,” said Sangeeta Moorjani, head of Tax-Exempt Market at Fidelity Investments. “We’re proud to partner with the National Football Foundation to recognize these dedicated faculty leaders and celebrate the meaningful difference they make in the lives of students both on and off the field.”

In 2026, the NFF has selected 18 of the nation’s best and brightest to each receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2026 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments.
The finalists will all travel to the 68th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 8, where one of them will be named the winner of the 37th Campbell Trophy® as the nation’s top football scholar-athlete and have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000. The event will take place at the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

For more information regarding the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards, please visit www.footballfoundation.org.