Voorhees native playing in College Football Championship

VOORHEES, N.J. (WPVI) -- When Ohio State meets Oregon on Monday night for the National Championship in this - the first year of the college football playoffs, the town of Voorhees, New Jersey will have plenty to root for.

Buckeyes red-shirt freshman cornerback Eli Apple is a former Eastern High School star.

His mom Annie - is his biggest fan.

"I'm am completely - just like all the other moms especially the Buckeye moms - we're extremely excited. It's been an absolute dream season," said Annie Apple.

She is not just a parent, but an advocate for change.

After spending $15,000 of their own money travelling to Eli's games last year, she and other parents, along with the help of Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer, began pleading with the NCAA for some funding for families to see their kids play.

"I have family and friends telling me 'Good effort Annie, but nothing is going to be decided until next year or 2017.' I said, 'God created the earth in six days, the NCAA can make a decision in five and would you believe it they did," said Apple.

This week they learned they'd be reimbursed up to $1,250 per parent for travel costs.

It's part of a new pilot program that will also go to the families of the men's and women's basketball Final 4.

"For us as players' families to finally be heard, it means the world. When this playoff system was created no one thought of us but now they heard us," said Apple,

Thinking back to when Eli started on the field in high school, his mom says she is proud to see him living his dream.

"Just to watch him living his dream and as a parent be there to just witness it, there's nothing better," said Apple.

Be sure to catch the College Football Championship on Monday at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN.