Executive Director's "Spirit of Giving" Award

The essence of the game of football is embodied in "The Spirit of Giving." Coaches give their effort, knowledge, time, talent and resources to those that play the game. The players give, in the same way, to the game and to each other.

The American Football Coaches Foundation was created to provide education and development for football coaches at all levels. Financial support for The Foundation is generated by givers that include coaches, Foundation board members, corporations and those who care about and play the game.  The Executive Director's "Spirit of Giving" Award goes to an individual who personifies that unique spirit.

2014 Spirit of Giving Award Recipient - Homer Rice



2013 Spirit of Givine Award Recipient - Oval Jaynes



2012 Spirit of Giving Award Recipient - Dennis Poppe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
2009 Spirit of Giving Award Recipient - Kris Reis

Kris Reis has supported the American Football Coaches Association with his more than 12 years of service as a tireless volunteer at the Association’s annual convention. He generously gives of his efforts, knowledge, time, talent and resources to help the AFCA educate the coaches who teach America’s youth.

Kris grew up on a farm in Coon Rapids, Iowa. After graduating high school in 1986, he attended Central College and played football for former AFCA president Ron Schipper. Reis lettered four years as a linebacker for the Dutch, earning three All-Iowa Conference selections and was named Team MVP. He was also named to three All-America teams, Kodak, AP and Pizza Hut. To this day, Reis still holds five of the top 10 spots for most tackles in a game in Central College history, including a tie for the top with 24 tackles in a game against Simpson College in 1989. He graduated in 1990 with a degree in Biology and Secondary Education.

Reis has coached football and taught at various schools around the country. As a graduate assistant, he coached linebackers at Drake University from 1993-94, then moved on to North Carolina State as a high school player-coach liaison from 1996-99. Reis was a runningbacks coach and play caller at Greensboro College and coached safeties at Western Carolina University. Currently, Reis is the Coordinator/Principal at Union Academy in Franklin, N.C. He is actively involved with the high school football team and mentoring youth. He and his wife, Karmen, have two children, Kendall and Kamden.



2008 Spirit of Giving Award Recipient - Kenny Hansmire

Kenny Hansmire has always supported the American Football Coaches Association, but now as a board member of The Foundation, he generously gives of his own effort, knowledge, time, talent and resources to help The Foundation in its efforts to educate the coaches that teach America's youth.

Hansmire currently serves as the Executive Director of the AFCA/FBI National Child Identification Program (NCIDP). Since its inception in 1997, there have been over 19 million ID kits distributed across the United States making it the largest program of its kind. NCIDP is partnered with the National Sheriff's Association and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Kenny is the former chairman of the Hula Bowl and current chairman of the Texas vs. the Nation All-Star Challenge bowl game. Hansmire is a native of San Antonio, Texas. He graduated from Howard Payne University and was a wide receiver for the Yellow Jackets. He went on to play professionally with the Houston Oilers, Philadelphia Eagles and the USFL San Antonio Gunslingers in the mid-1980's.

He currently resides in Comanche, Texas, with his wife, Jennifer, and his two daughters, Kailee and Kelsie.


2007 Spirit of Giving Award Recipient - Dennis Grapenthin

Dennis Grapenthin has always supported the American Football Coaches Association, but now as a board member of The Foundation, he generously gives of his own effort, knowledge, time, talent and resources to help The Foundation in its efforts to educate the coaches that teach America's youth. Grapenthin was presented with the inaugural Executive Director's "Spirit of Giving" Award at the Coach of the Year Dinner during the 2008 AFCA Convention in Anaheim.

Grapenthin was born in Chicago and raised on the South Side. He began his career with H.J. Heinz Company, then spent 15 years in sales with Procter & Gamble. Grapenthin began his association with Wilson Sporting Goods in 1977, serving as the Midwest sales manager for all team sports, racket sports and golf. In 1981, Grapenthin was promoted to merchandise manager, then three years later, asked to be moved to marketing for inflated products, such as footballs, basketballs and volleyballs.

As the sporting goods industry evolved, categories grew to a point where specialization was necessary, so football became Grapenthin's specialty. He helped Wilson take a direct approach to growing the football business to a point where Wilson footballs are the number one brand in football. Today, Wilson enjoys over 80 percent market share with two key exclusive endorsements, the National Football League and the NCAA. Grapenthin is currently the vice president and business director for footballs and leather accessories for Wilson.

“Coach George Smith is not only an influence on young people, but the influence is multiplied many times in the beliefs of the young people he helped mold into amazing human beings. George is an outstanding coach, but more importantly, he is an outstanding gentleman.” —Tina Jones, Principal of St. Thomas Aquinas High School