The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame, Inc. (NFF) was founded in 1947 with the early leadership of General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl “Red” Blaik, and immortal journalist Grantland Rice. The NFF is a non-profit educational organization that runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship, and athletic achievement in young people.
The NFF STL Tom Lombardo Chapter is designed to serve all levels of amateur football and to develop scholarship, citizenship, and athletic achievement. Through the game of football, Our Chapter serves as a positive influence for our youth and community.
Born April 17, 1923. Killed in action in Ch'ogye, Korea, September 24, 1950
Thomas A. Lombardo started his football career in 1937 playing for Soldan High School where he was not only a four-year starter but was also selected to the “All-Star City Team” all four years, the “All District Team” three years and was selected as “Most Valuable Player” in his senior year, 1940. From 1937 through 1940 Tom was one of the most feared backs in the St. Louis area, playing both running back and quarterback, plus starting as a defense back.
As one of the National Football Foundation’s largest chapters, the STL Tom Lombardo Chapter has been able to both uphold the ideals set forth by the Foundation and represent most of Eastern Missouri and Southwestern Illinois High Schools and its interest in amateur football. The chapter has flourished under the past leadership of Bob Bunton, the 1999 NFF Chapter Leadership Award Recipient for the Midwest Region, and moves forward with now-current President Ken Leach, the 2022 NFF Chapter Award Recipient for the Midwest Region.
Bunton was the founding president of the Tom Lombardo/St. Louis Chapter of the National Football Foundation, served for over 30-years, and still serves as the executive director.
Board of Governors
John Brauch, Dan Dierdorf, Ed Eberhart, Randy Karraker, Tom Lombardo, Nancy Nyikes,
Jim Otis, Gus Otto, Mike Owens, Howard Richards, Johnny Roland, Steve Savard, Bill Suntrup
Executive Director - Bob Bunton
President - Ken Leach
Treasurer - Eric Mundwiller
Board of Directors
Bill Donegan, Larry Frost, Mike Gohn, Bill Greenblatt, Tom Healey, Don Hugo, Patrick Karraker, Larry Kindbom, Karen Lombardo-Baker, Mike McGinnis, Eric Mundwiller, Denny Staub, Tom Swoboda
Banquet Program - Jake Parent
Alumni Chairman - Ken Leach
Selection Committee Chairman - Mike Gohn
Membership Chairman - Tom Healey
Webmaster - Tom Swoboda
Digital Media Director - Patrick Karraker
Secretary - Joyce Debenport
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