Bankert honored

John Bankert, recently retired President/Executive Director of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, was honored last evening by the Northeastern Ohio Chapter of the National Football Foundation at their annual scholar-athlete banquet.  Bankert was presented with the organization’s Dino Lucarelli Lifetime Achievement Award.  Lucarelli, who presented the award, told the sold out crowd that while it is always a pleasure to present an award named in his honor, it was particularly rewarding this year since Bankert, a longtime personal friend was the honoree.

Over the course of his distinguished 41-year career at the Hall of Fame, Bankert played a major role in every aspect of the Hall’s operation.  His long tenure began in 1964, and he is the only fulltime employee to work under each of the Hall’s previous three directors.  He was named the Hall’s fourth Executive Director in 1996 and President in 2003.

Since 1988 the Northeastern Ohio Chapter of the National Football Foundation has made a significant impact in the game of football throughout the region. The chapter encompasses 203 high schools while attempting to play a key role in a game that is a major part of the area’s culture.