Columbia Athletics Director M. Dianne Murphy, along with former Syracuse football student-athlete Don McPherson, rang the closing bell at the NASDAQ Market Site January 28. Murphy chairs the National Football Foundation Gridiron Club and McPherson was inducted into the NFF College Football Hall of Fame in 2008.

The pair used the opportunity to highlight NFF initiatives, including a scholarship program that distributes $1 million annually to young football players, reaching more than 400,000 student-athletes about the importance of succeeding both on and off the field.

“The day presented a fabulous opportunity for us to generate awareness in the business community about the Foundation’s work. We believe that many of the lessons learned on the gridiron translate directly into success in the business world,” said NFF President Steve Hatchell. “It’s a tribute to the hard work of our 12,000 members that the NASDAQ recognized us for this honor.”

To watch a video of the event, click here.