ABOUT THE CLUB
PRESS RELEASES
October 16, 2017
U.S COAST GUARD ACADEMY’S RYAN ROBERTSON DEFENDER OF THE NATION WEEKLY PLAYER PROFILE
Bio: From Emmitsburg, MD, Ryan Robertson is the son of Rich and Lisa Robertson and brother to two sisters, Nicole and Kellie. In high school, he captained both the football and baseball teams as well as competing on the indoor track team. Robertson is a senior on the Dean’s List currently majoring in mechanical engineering.
Stats: High School – Captain, first team All-county and second team All-state selection for coach Joe Polce at Walkersville High.
2016 – Led the team with 81 tackles, 60 solo to go with three for loss and an interception.
2017 – Team captain… will start at strong safety for the second straight season.
Quote from U.S. Coast Guard Academy Head Coach Bill George:
“Ryan has been a top performer and leader of the United States Coast Guard Academy football team on and off the field for the past four years. He has achieved all-league honors in the past two years and has served as a captain of the football team his senior year.”
The recipient of the Defender of the Nation Award will be announced on November 1st from one of the Nation’s (9) military academies and institutions including Air Force Academy, The Citadel, Coast Guard Academy, Naval Academy, Norwich University, Texas A&M University, Virginia Tech, VMI and West Point and is based on exceptional leadership qualities on the field, in the classroom and in the community. The recipient must also exhibit a high standard of integrity by leading through example.
The annual Bronko Nagurski Trophy Awards Banquet presented by ACN, will be held on Monday, December 4th at the Charlotte Convention Center. In addition to honoring the 2017 Defender of the Nation Award winner, the banquet will celebrate the recipient of the Bronko Nagurski Trophy sponsored by ACN and Legends Award sponsored by Florida East Coast Railway. Notre Dame’s Ross Browner, a member of the FWAA’s 1976 All-America Team and a College Football Hall of Famer will be honored as the Legends Award winner and Georgia Head
ABOUT THE CHARLOTTE TOUCHDOWN CLUB AND ITS PRESENTING SPONSORS
The Charlotte Touchdown Club is a non-profit organization founded in 1990 for the purpose of promoting high school, collegiate, and professional football in the Charlotte, N.C., region. Since its inception, the club has grown as well as diversified boasting a Sponsor Team of more than 80 companies. The club’s activities and services focus community attention on the outstanding citizenship, scholarship, sportsmanship, and leadership of area athletes and coaches. Through corporate and individual support, more than $2,000,000 has been raised to benefit the club’s scholarship efforts. For more information, contact John Rocco (704-347-2918or jrocco@touchdownclub.mysites.io). The official website of the Charlotte Touchdown Club is www.touchdownclub.mysites.io.
THE INDEPENDENCE FUND
Moving Our Nation’s Wounded Heroes Towards Greater Independence!
The Independence Fund’s mission is to support the Nation’s injured and wounded Veterans with the tools to achieve their independence and freedoms they have fought so hard to preserve! It is a laser-focused non-profit organization that provides independence to severely wounded Veterans through mobility, wellness, and caregiver support. Those who sacrifice for our country do so willingly with great pride and honor, and it is our privilege to serve them!
2016 DEFENDER OF THE NATION AWARD RECIPIENT: ANDREW KING
Andrew King, Cadet at the United States Military Academy at West Point is the recipient of the inaugural Defender of the Nation Award. A two-year starter at linebacker, King has served as Platoon Leader and Honor Officer and majors in Law and Legal Studies. Jeff Monken, United States Military Academy Head Football Coach, commented, “Andrew is one of the finest young men I have been associated with during my coaching career. He has the respect of everyone in the locker room as well as the Corps of Cadets for his character and his commitment to the United States Military Academy’s values of Duty, Honor, Country I am extremely proud of Andrew and what he has been able to accomplish at the Academy and he is truly one of America’s best.”
2017 DEFENDER OF THE NATION PLAYER PROFILES
• September 21: U.S. Naval Academy / D.J. Palmore
• September 28: U.S. Air Force Academy / Grant Ross
• October 6: Norwich University / Austin Roberts
• October 12: Virginia Tech / Andrew Motuapuaka
• October 16: U.S. Coast Guard Academy / Ryan Robertson