2021 Banquet Canceled Due to Coronavirus – Winged Foot Scholarship Foundation

For the first time in over 30 years, the Winged Foot Scholar-Athlete banquet will not be held.

Organizers announced that due to the coronavirus pandemic, the 31st annual banquet scheduled for May 21 at Naples Grande Beach Resort won’t happen. ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Bilas was scheduled to be the keynote speaker.

“We had everything really in line,” Winged Foot chairman Bud Hornbeck said Monday.

Hornbeck said there may still be some kind of ceremony or recognition for the winner around the original banquet time, and said Bilas had offered to work with the Winged Foot on a solution. Hornbeck said Bilas told him he would be willing to be the keynote speaker next year.

Hornbeck has reached out to Collier County high school athletic directors, who are given the chance to submit a senior student-athlete who excels both academically and athletically.

“We’re going to continue and we’re going to get the applications in from the schools,” Hornbeck said. “Our selection committee will review all of the applications and resumés and we’ll make our decision as to the overall winner.