Belmont Hill's Onuoha Named to NFF Team of Distinction
Belmont Hill School senior Sampson Onuoha has been named as the
Jack Grinold/Eastern Massachusetts Chapter of the National Football
Foundation representative for the NFF’s Team of Distinction that
recognizes standout performers in competition, in the classroom and
in the community throughout the country.
A resident of Hyde Park, Onuoha earned all-NEPSAC and all-ISL
honors on the defensive line in each of his final two seasons at
Belmont Hill, where he was a three-year letterwinner. The second-
ranked recruit in the state of Massachusetts last fall, Sampson
earned Boston Herald all-scholastic accolades in 2024 after matriculating from the United Kingdom. Prior to his arrival in the United States, he had never played football before his sophomore season, and he will now travel south to continue his playing and educational career at Duke University.
“Sampson is an exceptional student-athlete who embodies all of the qualities that the Team of Distinction represents,” Grinold Chapter Executive Director Jim Seavey said of Onuoha. “His coaches and teammates at Belmont Hill look to him as a leader both on and off the field, and he will undoubtedly continue to enjoy great success during his career at Duke. It is an honor for us to be able to help tell Sampson’s story.”
A three-sport athlete at Belmont Hill, Onuoha was also a letterwinner in wrestling and track & field. He was a member of the Venture Capital Group, Business Club and Brother 2 Brother (Black Affinity Group).
Chapter Names 2025 Special Award Recipients
BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- A longtime fixture in the business community, along with a standout collegiate coach and player, will be honored with major awards by the Jack Grinold/Eastern Massachusetts Chapter of the National Football Foundation during its 50th Annual Scholar-Athlete Award Banquet on Sunday, June 22, at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel & Conference Center.
Championship Awards Guys Owner & CEO Ken Nally has been named as
the 2025 recipient of the Grinold Chapter’s Ron Burton Distinguished
American Award. Named in honor of the late Ron Burton, who was the
first draft pick of the then Boston Patriots and a noted philanthropist, the
Chapter presents the award annually to a recipient who is an outstanding
person that has maintained a lifetime of interest in the game and who,
over a long period of time, has exhibited enviable leadership qualities
and made a significant contribution to the betterment of amateur foot-
ball in the Chapter footprint.
Nally has provided area high schools and colleges with awards & recognition opportunities for over three decades and has been a tireless contributor to the amateur athletics scene over that time period. Ken has also served on the coaching staff at North Attleboro High School and has been a fixture in his native North Attleboro community. Championship Awards Guys partners with many schools in the Chapter’s footprint and has provided sponsorship opportunities for programs and leagues in the area.
Tufts University Head Coach Jay Civetti is the 2025 recipient of the Grinold Chapter’s Ed Schluntz Contribution To Amateur Football Award. Named in honor of Ed Schluntz, a charter member of the Grinold Chapter, this award is presented annually to a person in the Chapter footprint whose efforts and activities in support of the Foundation and its goals have been local in nature.
Civetti is entering his 15th season at the helm of Tufts Football this fall, as he has turned around a program during his tenure as head coach while averaging nearly six victories per year since 2014. He has been part of seven winning seasons as head coach of the Jumbos, including three seven-win campaigns
in 2016, 2018 and 2024. The squad also picked up six wins in the 2015, 2022 and 2023 seasons. Civetti was presented the Murray Lewis Award by the Boston Chapter of the Eastern Association of Intercollegiate Football Officials in 2018, as the honor is bestowed upon an individual who has made a positive contribution to New England football. Jay played for Coach Schluntz during his matriculation at Brookline High School and considers the longtime football icon as one of his close mentors.
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth graduate student quarterback
Dante Aviles-Santos has been named as the Grinold Chapter’s 2025
Jack Daly Award recipient for Academics, Citizenship & Football. Named
in honor of Jack Daly, a Grinold Chapter charter member, the award is
presented annually to a college football player at an institution in the
Chapter footprint based on academic performance, community service
and demonstrated football ability.
A native of Cumberland, R.I., Aviles-Santos ranks as one of the most
prolific passers in UMass Dartmouth history, as he is graduating with
many of the program's career records, including passing yards and passing touchdowns. A four-year starter, he completed 735 attempts for 10,580 yards and 116 touchdowns in 44 career games. The three-time MASCAC Offensive Player of the Year was 37-6 as a starter and helped the Corsairs win three conference titles and advance to three postseason games. During his senior season, he was the New England Football Writers Harry Agganis-Harold Zimman
Award winner, presented to the Most Outstanding Player in New England – regardless of Division – while also being named a semifinalist for the prestigious Gagliardi Trophy.
Jack Grinold/Eastern Massachusetts Chapter
National Football Foundation
Chapter Names 2025 Scholar-Athlete Class
BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The Jack Grinold/Eastern Massachusetts Chapter of the National Football Foundation will honor 18 standouts as part of its Class of 2025 Scholar-Athlete Award recipients on Sunday, June 22nd at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel & Conference Center beginning at 5:00 pm.
Student-athletes representing 13 area high schools will be recognized for their outstanding career achievements. Nominated by their coaches and selected by a committee consisting of former coaches, athletic directors and collegiate admissions professionals, the Grinold Chapter Scholar-Athlete class continues the longstanding tradition of recognizing excellence in competition, in the classroom and in the community.
“It is a privilege for our chapter to once again recognize these young men for their amazing accomplishments both on and off the field,” Grinold Chapter Executive Director Jim Seavey said of this year’s class. “They are proud representatives of their respective school communities, and their hard work and dedication have provided a springboard for future success they will continue to enjoy as their collegiate journeys begin.”
The 2025 Jack Grinold/Eastern Massachusetts Chapter Scholar Athletes.