Press Releases

Press Release
February 9, 2022 Philadelphia, PA
Maxwell Football Club Announces Van Malone and Will Howard of Kansas State University as the

2022 Get In the Game Impact Award Winners.

Maxwell Football Club Director, Mark Wolpert, announced that Kansas State University Assistant Head Coach Van Malone and Wildcats quarterback Will Howard have been selected as the winners of Get in the Game Impact Award presented by the Andy Talley Bone Marrow Foundation, and generously supported by the Walton family. The award is given to the person or persons who have gone above and beyond to help save lives through their involvement with the Get In The Game. Save a Life. (GITG) program. These individuals show immense passion and loyalty to the program and their efforts have direct impact on its success.

Van Malone, who was a successful defensive back in both college and the NFL, completed his fourth season coaching the cornerbacks at Kansas State in 2022. He added the titles of assistant head coach and passing game coordinator prior to the 2020 campaign. In addition to his Kansas State Duties, Malone also serves as the Chairman of the American Football Coaches Association Minority Issues Committee; and on the Board of Directors of the Minority Coaches Advancement Association.

For the past 5 years, Malone has worked hand in hand with Coach Andy Talley and the GITG to shine a light on existing health care inequities, particularly as they relate to the lack of racially and ethnically diverse blood stem cell and bone marrow donors on the Be The Match Registry®. To reduce this existing disparity among racial and ethnic groups, especially for those in the African American/Black community, it is essential to register as many young, diverse potential donors as possible to increase the odds of finding a match and to ensure equal outcomes for all those in need of a life-saving transplant.

Will Howard burst onto the scene this past fall taking over as the starting quarterback when the Wildcats lost Adrian Martinez to an injury.  In six games, Howard completed 61.6% of his passes for 1,423 yards and 15 touchdowns with just two interceptions leading K-State to a No. 13 national ranking and a berth in the Big 12 title game, where they shocked previously undefeated No. 3 (added space before 3) TCU by a 31-28 score. The Wildcats capped their season with a Sugar Bowl berth vs Alabama.

Unaware that his coach Van Malone was already working with the Andy Talley Bone Marrow Foundation to spread the word amongst coaching peers, Howard was excited when presented with the information that he could help save the lives of patients in need by getting his team to participate in the Get in The Game program with Coach Talley and Be the Match. He immediately became an ambassador for the cause and brought the idea to both his coaches and teammates, culminating in a Be the Match Registry® event in which 350 students were registered for the program.

“I am beyond grateful for the time, effort, and most importantly, passion that Coach Malone and Will Howard have given to the Get In The Game program. Their teamwork will have tremendous impact on the lives of patients in need of a transplant.” – Coach Andy Talley

Malone and Howard will be honored Thursday March 9, 2023 at the 86th Maxwell Football Club National Awards Gala which will be held at the Mohegan in Pennsylvania. Also receiving awards at this event will be Jalen Hurts – Philadelphia Eagles (Bert Bell Award), Nick Sirianni – Philadelphia Eagles (Greasy Neale Coach of the Year Award), Joe Klecko New York Jets (Legends Award presented by Mohegan Pennsylvania), Caleb Williams – USC (Maxwell Award), Will Anderson Jr. – Alabama (Chuck Bednarik Award), Drake Maye –North Carolina (Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award), Roman Oben – National Football League (Francis Reds Bagnell Award), Willie Fritz –Tulane University (George Munger Collegiate Coach of the Year Award), Tom Perkovich – Susquehanna University (Andy Talley Regional Coach of the Year), Sean Clifford – Penn State (Brian Westbrook Regional Player of the Year) and Caleb Downs – Mill Creek HS (MFC National High School Player of the Year).

 

Tickets for the Maxwell Football Club National Awards Gala are available for purchase on the Club’s website https://maxwellfootballclub.org/purchase-tickets/ or by calling 215-643-3833.

Questions concerning any of the Maxwell Football Club’s awards or programs can be directed to MFC Executive Director Mark Wolpert at info@maxwellfootballclub.org.

About the Maxwell Football Club

The Maxwell Football Club (MFC) was founded in 1935 and is a registered 501c3 Non-Profit Corporation. The MFC promotes and recognizes excellence at all levels of football from youth leagues through the professional ranks. Each year the MFC offers programs which focus on player and coach development, safety, and player wellness. The Club also presents many of the premiere awards in the football world each year. Membership is open and additional information on the Club can be found at www.maxwellfootballclub.org.

About the Andy Talley Bone Marrow Foundation

The Andy Talley Bone Marrow Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Their mission is to increase the odds of finding lifesaving donors for patients in need of a blood stem cell or bone marrow transplant by registering young, diverse and committed donors to the Be the Match Registry®.

ABOUT MOHEGAN PENNSYLVANIA

Mohegan Pennsylvania, owned by Mohegan, was the first destination to bring gaming to Pennsylvania in 2006, and since then has become one of the premier entertainment, gaming, shopping, and dining destinations in the state. Situated on 400 acres in Plains, Pennsylvania, Mohegan Pennsylvania features a 237-room hotel with on-site spa and adjacent 20,000 square-foot Convention Center. It is currently home to 67,000 square feet of gaming space including nearly 60 live table games, more than 1,700 slot machines and electronic table games, a variety of dining and shopping options, nightlife, entertainment and live harness racing. Mohegan Pennsylvania is within easy access of New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey, and Delaware. More information is available by calling 1.888.WIN.IN.PA (1.888.946.4672) or visiting MoheganPA.com Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram, download our app and view us on YouTube.

February 2, 2023 – PHILADELPHIA, PA

FOR IMMEDIATE DISTIBUTION

The Maxwell Football Club announced that Caleb Downs, from Mill Creek High School (Hoschton, Georgia) has been selected as the 2022 Maxwell Football Club National High School Player of the Year. This is the 16 th year that this award will be presented at the Maxwell Club National Awards Gala, and the Alabama signee joins the likes of Derrick Henry (2012), Trevor Lawrence (2017) and Bryce Young (2019) as winners of the honor over the past decade. Downs joins that list after leading Mill Creek to a 14-1 record, the AAAAAAA state championship and the No. 11 spot in the final MaxPreps Top 25.

The 6-foot, 190-pound senior safety helped the Hawks win their first state title in school history. Mill Creek broke the championship game record in a 70-35 victory over Carrollton, a contest where Downs recorded 13 tackles and tacked on three rushing scores. Downs closed out his illustrious high school career with 83 tackles, five interceptions (two pick-sixes), 10 passes defended and one fumble recovery. Offensively, he added 57 carries for 389 yards and 20 touchdowns to go with 36 receptions for 422 yards and three scores.

“Leadership, innovation and an indisputable drive to be the best are attributes that Caleb exhibits,” said Mark Wolpert, Executive Director of the Maxwell Football Club “We got to see the leadership and camaraderie that Caleb shared with his teammates both on and off the field during the 2023 All American Bowl game and we are excited to name this outstanding young man as the Maxwell Football Club National High School Player of the Year.”

The Maxwell Football Club National HS Player of the Year award was established in 2007 and former winners include Nicholas Singleton (Offense – Governor Mifflin HS – Penn State), Mykel Williams (Defense – Hardaway HS – Georgia), Ty Thompson (Offense – Mesquite HS – Oregon), Barrett Carter (North Gwinnett HS – Clemson), Bryce Young (Offense – Mater Dei HS – Alabama), Bryan Bresee (Defense – Damascus HS – Clemson), Bru McCoy (Offense – Mater Dei HS – Tennessee), Nolan Smith (Defense – IMG Academy – Georgia), Trevor Lawrence (Offense – Cartersville HS – Clemson), Taron Vincent (Defense -IMG Academy – Ohio State), Tate Martell (Bishop Gorman HS – Ohio State), Jacob Eason (2015 Lake Stevens HS – Washington), Trenton Thompson (2014 Westover HS – Georgia), Will Grier (2013 Davidson Day School – West Virginia), Derrick Henry (2012 Yulee HS – Alabama), Noah Spence (2011 Bishop McDevitt HS – Ohio State), Jeff Driskel (2010 Hagerty HS – Florida), Sharif Floyd (2009 George Washington HS – Florida), Jamarkus McFarland (2008 Lufkin HS – Oklahoma) and DeVier Posey (2007 Cincinnati LaSalle HS – Ohio State). Henry and Young went on to win the Maxwell Award while at Alabama.

Downs will be honored Thursday March 9, 2023 at the 86 th Maxwell Football Club National Awards Gala which will be held at the Mohegan Pennsylvania. Also receiving awards at this event will be Jalen Hurts – Philadelphia Eagles (Bert Bell Award), Nick Sirianni – Philadelphia Eagles (Greasy Neale Coach of the Year Award), Joe Klecko New York Jets (Legends Award presented by Mohegan Pennsylvania), Caleb Williams – USC (Maxwell Award), Will Anderson Jr. – Alabama (Chuck Bednarik Award), Drake Maye –North Carolina (Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award), and Willie Fritz –Tulane University (George Munger Collegiate Coach of the Year Award), Tom Perkovich – Susquehanna University (Andy Talley Regional Coach of the Year), and Sean Clifford – Penn State (Brian Westbrook Regional Player of the Year). The Club will be announcing additional winners next week.

Tickets for the Maxwell Football Club National Awards Gala are available for purchase on the Club’s website https://maxwellfootballclub.org/purchase-tickets/ or by calling 215-643-3833.

Questions concerning any of the Maxwell Football Club’s awards or programs can be directed to MFC Executive Director Mark Wolpert at info@maxwellfootballclub.org.

ABOUT THE MAXWELL FOOTBALL CLUB
The Maxwell Football Club (MFC) was founded in 1935 and is a registered 501c3 Non-Profit Corporation. The MFC promotes and recognizes excellence at all levels of football from youth leagues through the professional ranks. Each year the MFC offers programs which focus on player and coach development, safety, and player wellness. The Club also presents many of the premiere awards in the football world each year. Membership is open and additional information on the Club can be found at http://www.maxwellfootballclub.org.

ABOUT MOHEGAN PENNSYLVANIA
Mohegan Pennsylvania, owned by Mohegan, was the first destination to bring gaming to Pennsylvania in 2006 and since then has become one of the premier entertainment, gaming, shopping, and dining destinations in the state. Situated on 400 acres in Plains, Pennsylvania, Mohegan Pennsylvania features a 237-room hotel with on-site spa and adjacent 20,000 square-foot Convention Center. It is currently home to 67,000 square feet of gaming space including nearly 60 live table games, more than 1,700 slot machines and electronic table games, a variety of dining and shopping options, nightlife, entertainment and live harness racing. Mohegan Pennsylvania is within easy access of New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey, and Delaware. More information is available by calling 1.888.WIN.IN.PA (1.888.946.4672) or visiting MoheganPA.com Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram, download our app and view us on YouTube.

February 2, 2023 – PHILADELPHIA, PA
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION

Maxwell Football Club Announces 2022 Andy Talley Regional Coach of the Year, And Brian Westbrook Regional Player of the Year Winners.

The Maxwell Football Club announced today that Susquehanna University Head Coach Tom Perkovich has been selectedas the winner of the Club’s 25th Andy Talley Regional Coach of the Year Award and that Penn State quarterback SeanClifford has been chosen as the winner of the 22 nd Brian Westbrook Regional Player of the Year Award.

Under Perkovich’s direction, Susquehanna compiled an 10-1 record and won their 1st Centennial Conference championship. The River Hawks claimed decisive wins over Dickinson, Gettysburg, Lycoming and Moravian, and exhilarating nail-biters over Johns Hopkins and Muhlenberg, leading up to their first appearance in the NCAA DIII Football Championships since 2009. They concluded the 2022 campaign ranked No.19 in the final Division 3 national
poll.

Clifford led the Nittany Lions to a 11-2 mark in 2022 with an exciting 35-21 Rose Bowl win over Utah serving as an
exclamation point to an outstanding season. Clifford’s Rose Bowl performance was one of the finest of his Penn State
career and earned him game MVP honors. Clifford finished the Granddaddy of them all 16-of-22 for 279 yards, and 2
touchdowns. For the season, Clifford passed for 3107 yards and 21 touchdowns. A four-time team captain who used
COVID eligibility for an extra college campaign, Clifford sits atop program record lists for most career passing statistics,
and he will next pursue opportunities in the NFL.

Perkovich and Clifford will be honored Thursday March 9, 2023 at the 86 th Maxwell Football Club National Awards Galawhich will be held at the Mohegan Pennsylvania. Also receiving awards at this event will be Jalen Hurts – Philadelphia Eagles (Bert Bell Award), Nick Sirianni – Philadelphia Eagles (Greasy Neale Coach of the Year Award), Joe Klecko (Legends Award presented by Mohegan Pennsylvania), Caleb Williams – USC (Maxwell Award), Will Anderson Jr. – Alabama (Chuck Bednarik Award), Drake Maye –North Carolina (Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award), and Willie Fritz –Tulane University (George Munger Collegiate Coach of the Year Award). The Club will be announcing additional winners this week.

Tickets for the Maxwell Football Club National Awards Gala are available for purchase on the Club’s website
https://maxwellfootballclub.org/purchase-tickets/ or by calling 215-643-3833.
Questions concerning any of the Maxwell Football Club’s awards or programs can be directed to MFC Executive Director
Mark Wolpert at info@maxwellfootballclub.org.

Press Release

ABOUT THE MAXWELL FOOTBALL CLUB
The Maxwell Football Club (MFC) was founded in 1935 and is a registered 501c3 Non-Profit Corporation. The MFC
promotes and recognizes excellence at all levels of football from youth leagues through the professional ranks. Each
year the MFC offers programs which focus on player and coach development, safety, and player wellness. The Club also
presents many of the premiere awards in the football world each year. Membership is open and additional information
on the Club can be found at http://www.maxwellfootballclub.org.

ABOUT MOHEGAN PENNSYLVANIA
Mohegan Pennsylvania, owned by Mohegan, was the first destination to bring gaming to Pennsylvania in 2006 and since then has become one of the premier entertainment, gaming, shopping, and dining destinations in the state. Situated on 400 acres in Plains, Pennsylvania, Mohegan Pennsylvania features a 237-room hotel with on-site spa and adjacent 20,000 square-foot Convention Center. It is currently home to 67,000 square feet of gaming space including nearly 60 live table games, more than 1,700 slot machines and electronic table games, a variety of dining and shopping options, nightlife, entertainment and live harness racing. Mohegan Pennsylvania is within easy access of New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey, and Delaware. More information is available by calling 1.888.WIN.IN.PA (1.888.946.4672) or visiting MoheganPA.com Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram, download download our app and view us on Youtube.

Press Release

January 26, 2023 – PHILADELPHIA, PA
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION

Maxwell Football Club Director, Mark Wolpert, announced that New York Jets defensive lineman Joe Klecko has been selected as the winner of the 18 th MFC Legends Award presented by Mohegan Pennsylvania.Klecko was the Jets’ sixth-round selection in the 1977 draft and had an immediate impact with 69 games played, 53 starts and 33.5 sacks over his first four seasons.

Klecko’s recorded 20.5 sacks in 1981 as he teamed up with Mark Gastineau, Marty Lyons and Abdul Salaam to form the dominating “New York Sack Exchange.” The Jets defense that season posted 66 sacks, which remains the franchise single-season record.

Klecko was named to the NFL Pro Bowl rosters four times, after the 1981, ’83, ’84 and & ’85 seasons. In the process, he became one of the league’s rare players to be named to the all-star squads at three different positions — defensive end, defensive tackle and nose tackle.

He was also recognized as an All-Pro first-team selection in 1981 and ’85, was named the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in ’81 and was the ’82 George Halas Award winner that goes to the NFL player, coach or staffer who overcomes the most adversity to succeed.

Teamwise, Klecko has received every accolade there is. His iconic uniform No. 73 was retired in 2004 and was a member of the New York Jets Ring of Honor’s six-member 2010 inaugural class. Jets fans voted him as a member of the New YorkJets All-Time Team in 2019.

He is currently a finalist for selection to the Pro Football Hall of Fame and if selected he will be inducted this summer. Klecko will be honored Thursday March 9, 2023 at the 86 th Maxwell Football Club National Awards Gala which will be held at the Mohegan Pennsylvania.

Also receiving awards at this event will be Jalen Hurts – Philadelphia Eagles (Bert Bell Award), Nick Sirianni – Philadelphia Eagles (Greasy Neale Coach of the Year Award), Caleb Williams – USC (Maxwell
Award), Will Anderson Jr. – Alabama (Chuck Bednarik Award), Sean Clifford – Penn State (The Brian Westbrook Regional Player of the Year Award), Drake Maye –North Carolina (Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award), and Willie Fritz –Tulane University (George Munger Collegiate Coach of the Year Award). The Club will be announcing additional winners this week.

Tickets for the Maxwell Football Club National Awards Gala are available for purchase on the Club’s website

https://maxwellfootballclub.org/purchase-tickets/ or by calling 215-643-3833.

Questions concerning any of the Maxwell Football Club’s awards or programs can be directed to MFC Executive Director Mark Wolpert at info@maxwellfootballclub.org.

ABOUT THE MAXWELL FOOTBALL CLUB
The Maxwell Football Club (MFC) was founded in 1935 and is a registered 501c3 Non-Profit Corporation. The MFC promotes and recognizes excellence at all levels of football from youth leagues through the professional ranks. Each year the MFC offers programs which focus on player and coach development, safety, and player wellness. The Club also presents many of the premiere awards in the football world each year. Membership is open and additional information
on the Club can be found at http://www.maxwellfootballclub.org.

ABOUT MOHEGAN PENNSYLVANIA
Mohegan Pennsylvania, owned by Mohegan, was the first destination to bring gaming to Pennsylvania in 2006 and since then has become one of the premier entertainment, gaming, shopping, and dining destinations in the state. Situated on
400 acres in Plains, Pennsylvania, Mohegan Pennsylvania features a 237-room hotel with on-site spa and adjacent 20,000 square-foot Convention Center. It is currently home to 67,000 square feet of gaming space including nearly 60 live table games, more than 1,700 slot machines and electronic table games, a variety of dining and shopping options, nightlife, entertainment and live harness racing. Mohegan Pennsylvania is within easy access of New York, Philadelphia,
New Jersey, and Delaware. More information is available by calling 1.888.WIN.IN.PA (1.888.946.4672) or visiting MoheganPA.com Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram, download our app and view us
on YouTube.

Press Release

January 25, 2023 Philadelphia, PA

Maxwell Football Club Announces the Winners of the 64th Bert Bell Professional Player of the Year Award and the 34th Greasy Neale Professional Coach of the Year Award

Maxwell Football Club Director, Mark Wolpert, announced that Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has been selected as the winner of the 64th Bert Bell Professional Player of the Year Award, and that Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni has been chosen as the winner of the 34th Greasy Neale Professional Coach of the Year Award.

In only his 3rd NFL season, Hurts exploded into one of the league’s most dangerous offensive weapons accumulating 3701 passing yards, and 22 touchdowns, and adding an additional 760 yards and 13 scores on the ground. Hurts set an all-time Eagles record with 35 total regular season touchdowns this season while leading the Eagles to a 15-3 record and a berth in the NFC Championship game vs the San Francisco 49ers this Sunday. In addition to his Bert Bell honor, he was named to the Pro Bowl and also selected as a 2nd team All-Pro by the Associated Press.

Hurts joins an elite list of Eagles players including; Norm Van Brocklin (1960), Pete Retzlaff (1965), Ron Jaworski (1980), Randall Cunningham (1988-1990-1998), Michael Vick (2010) and Carson Wentz (2017) to win the Bert Bell Award.

In his 2nd season as head coach, Nick Sirianni has led the Eagles to a 15-3 record and a berth in the  NFC Championship game, punctuated by a dominating 38-7 win over the New York Giants in the divisional round of the playoffs. Along the way, the Eagles won the NFC East championship and shattered numerous team records including: most wins in a regular season (14), most points scored in a season (447) and most sacks in a season (70). The Eagles have been dominant on both sides of the ball with a smothering defense and an innovative offense which deploys weapons that are virtually impossible to defend. Prior to being named as the Eagles head coach, Sirianni was the offensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts.

Sirianni joins former Eagles Coaches, Ray Rhodes (1995), Andy Reid (2000-2002-2010), Chip Kelly (2013), and Doug Pederson (2017) as winners of the Greasy Neale Coach of the Year Award.

Hurts and Sirianni will be honored Thursday March 9, 2023 at the 86th Maxwell Football Club National Awards Gala which will be held at the Mohegan Pennsylvania Resort. Also receiving awards at this event will be Caleb Williams – USC (Maxwell Award), Will Anderson Jr. – Alabama (Chuck Bednarik Award), Sean Clifford – Penn State (The Brian Westbrook Regional Player of the Year Award), Drake Maye –North Carolina (Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award), Willie Fritz –Tulane University (George Munger Collegiate Coach of the Year Award) and Joe Klecko – New York Jets (The MFC Legends Award presented by Mohegan Pennsylvania). The Club will be announcing additional winners this week.

Tickets for the Maxwell Football Club National Awards Gala are available for purchase on the Club’s website https://maxwellfootballclub.org/purchase-tickets/ or by calling 215-643-3833.

 

Questions concerning any of the Maxwell Football Club’s awards or programs can be directed to MFC Executive Director Mark Wolpert at info@maxwellfootballclub.org.