Todd Ellis Named 2026 Chris Schenkel Award Winner
The former Gamecock quarterback and longtime broadcaster has been honored by the National Football Foundation.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Football
The National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame named Todd Ellis the 2026 recipient of the Chris Schenkel Award. This honor recognizes sports broadcasters for their significant longevity and connection to a single university.
Why it matters
The award celebrates the deep commitment and career consistency of broadcasters who have become the voices of their respective university programs over decades of service.
Ellis holds the South Carolina program record with 9,953 career passing yards. He has served the Gamecock Sports Network for 35 years, including 24 seasons as the lead play-by-play announcer.
The players
Todd Ellis
He is the former South Carolina starting quarterback and a longtime broadcaster for the Gamecock Sports Network.
National Football Foundation
This organization promotes amateur football and oversees the College Football Hall of Fame.
Lee Corso
He is a veteran broadcaster and analyst who received the Chris Schenkel Award in 2025.
The details
Ellis was notified of the honor via a personal phone call from the National Football Foundation president. He previously served as the starting quarterback for South Carolina from 1986 to 1989 before transitioning into his long-standing broadcasting career.
Timeline
Todd Ellis played as a starting quarterback from 1986 to 1989.
The Chris Schenkel Award was first established in 1996.
Lee Corso received the award in 2025.
Todd Ellis was announced as the 2026 winner on September 30, 2026.
The award will be presented on December 8, 2026.
The Big Picture
This selection follows the established pattern of the Chris Schenkel Award, which has honored 31 broadcasters since its inception.
This award cements the legacy of a figure central to South Carolina athletics. It highlights the continued integration of former standout athletes into the media coverage surrounding the university program.
The takeaway
Recognizing broadcasters for their dedication to one school underscores the value of institutional history in college sports. Fans benefit from long-term broadcast stability, which fosters a deeper narrative connection between alumni players and the current program.
What happens next
The Chris Schenkel Award will be presented to Todd Ellis at the 68th NFF Annual Awards Dinner on December 8, 2026.
Further reading
For more on the latest developments in the sport, explore Football.
