DC TOUCHDOWN CLUB TO PRESENT RALPH FRIEDGEN WITH LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

One of college football’s top offensive coaches, led Maryland to seven bowl games in 10 seasons and was twice named ACC Coach of the Year

Ralph Friedgen, who led the University of Maryland football team to a remarkable turnaround, will be presented a Lifetime Achievement Award at the DC Touchdown Club 3M Awards Dinner on Thursday, April 21 in Bethesda, Md.

Dinner tickets and Touchdown Club memberships are on sale now as the Touchdown Club honors the best and brightest in the National Capital Region’s football community.

“We are thrilled to be able to honor Coach Friedgen, celebrate his career and present him with this award,” Military Bowl Foundation President & Executive Director Steve Beck said. “Coach Friedgen was one of the nation’s leading offensive minds and his teams achieved remarkable success. He was instrumental in the rebirth of Maryland football in the 21st century.”

Friedgen, who has been named the national Coach of the Year and also won the Broyles Awards as the nation’s top assistant coach, had been a career-long assistant until he was hired at Maryland following the 2000 season. A 1970 graduate of Maryland, Friedgen had also been a graduate assistant coach at the school to begin his career as well as the Terrapins’ offensive line coach and offensive coordinator from 1982 to 1986.

Affectionately known as “Fridge,” he inherited a team that had not played in a bowl game in 10 seasons. That first season, in 2001, Friedgen led Maryland to a 10-2 record, the ACC title and a berth in the Orange Bowl.

In 10 seasons in College Park, Friedgen guided the Terrapins to seven bowl appearances and a 75-50 record. His final game as head coach was an emotional 51-20 victory over East Carolina in the 2010 Military Bowl after which he was carried off the field by his players.

In addition to Friedgen, the award winners are:

·        Founder’s Award: Joe Jacoby, Washington Redskins. Offensive tackle was a four-time Pro Bowler and a member of the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team.

·        Pro Player of the Year: Trevon Diggs, Dallas Cowboys. Former star at Avalon School in Wheaton led the NFL with 11 interceptions this past season.

·        College Player of the Year: Jordan Addison, Pitt. Former star at Tuscarora High in Frederick won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top wide receiver after catching 100 passes for 1,593 yards.

·        Circle of Legends: Bob Milloy. Winningest high school coach in Maryland history guided his teams to 405 victories, eight Maryland public school titles and four WCAC championships.

·        Lifetime Achievement Award: Lou Holtz. Guided six collegiate programs to bowl games and a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.

·        Virginia HS Player of the Year Jacob Thomas, Stone Bridge. Led Bulldogs to consecutive Virginia 5A championships won on the game’s final play. Completed 109 of 156 passes for 2,357 yards and 31 touchdowns with just three interceptions this past season. Committed to James Madison.

·        Maryland HS Player of the Year Kevin Winston Jr., DeMatha Catholic. Starred at wide receiver and safety, catching 42 passes, while making 77 tackles with four interceptions. Will play for Penn State.

·        D.C. HS Player of the Year Jamar Curtis, St. John’s. Rushed for 1,007 yards and scored 12 touchdowns as the Cadets finished undefeated and won the WCAC title. Will play for Lafayette.

·        Washington Metro High School Coach of the Year John Kelley, Quince Orchard. Guided the Cougars to an undefeated season and Maryland 4A title. Career record of 86-10 in seven seasons.

CONTACT: Josh Barr, jbarr@militarybowl.org

About the DC Touchdown Club

The DC Touchdown Club honors the best in Washington Metro football, with year-round events highlighted by an annual awards dinner. Operated by the Military Bowl Foundation, the Club promotes the game of football, hosts entertaining social events and generates a significant philanthropic impact for Patriot Point. To learn more about the DC Touchdown Club, visit dctouchdownclub.com or follow DC Touchdown Club on Twitter and Instagram @DCTouchdownClub and like DC Touchdown Club on Facebook.

About the Military Bowl Foundation

The Military Bowl Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates premier events in the National Capital Region to benefit our nation’s service members. Originally formed to create the region’s first-ever college football postseason bowl game, the Foundation now not only runs the Military Bowl presented by Peraton but additionally operates the DC Touchdown Club and Patriot Point, a retreat for recovering service members, their families and caregivers on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The Foundation hosts engaging events throughout the year to raise money and awareness for military service members, directly impacting those who give so much of themselves for the country.

About 3M

At 3M, we apply science in collaborative ways to improve lives daily. With $30 billion in sales, our 90,000 employees connect with customers all around the world. Learn more about 3M’s creative solutions to the world’s problems at www.3M.com or on Twitter @3M or @3MNews.

3M supports initiatives that advance equitable STEM and business outcomes for under-represented and under-resourced populations by increasing STEM exposure through classroom experiences and afterschool and extracurricular activities, supporting experiential learning experiences and investing in teacher professional development and build a pipeline of diverse STEM teachers.