2007 Rotary Lombardi Award

photos

LSU’s Glenn Dorsey Wins Lombardi Award

With over 750 persons in attendance in the ballroom of the Hilton Americas Hotel on Wednesday evening December 5th, 2007, LSU’s Glenn Dorsey won the 2007 Rotary Lombardi Award, which was presented to him by Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Bruce Matthews. Only the second LSU player to be one of the finalists – the last was a defensive end in 1971 - this senior defensive tackle and undisputed team leader is the fi rst winner. A 6’ 2”, 303 pound defensive tackle made 64 tackles, 6 sacks and 11 ½ tackles behind the line, despite playing the last five games of the season with a sore knee. A previous winner of the Bronko Nagurski Award and SEC Player of the Year, Dorsey said that the Rotary Lombardi Award was more important, like the Heisman Trophy for linemen. Sitting at his side during the dinner was Les Miles, coach of the nationally 2nd ranked team. Under Rotary Lombardi Award Chairman Hugh McElroy, this year’s award dinner added still further to the $3.5 million thus far raised by the Rotary Lombardi Award, with all net proceeds going to the American Cancer Society.

Click here to read the article in the Houston Chronicle.

www.rotarylombardiaward.org

___________________________________________________

College Football Hall of Fame to Induct Rotary Lombardi Award Winners and Finalist

Tom Brahaney - 1972 Finalist - Oklahoma, Wilson Whitley - 1976 Winner - Houston and Chris Zorich - 1989 Finalist and 1990 Winner - Notre Dame have been named to the 2007 College Football Hall of Fame class.

Read More . . .

___________________________________________________

Founded in the weeks following the death of legendary football coach Vince Lombardi from cancer in 1970, the Rotary Lombardi Award presented by Wachovia Bank has annually delivered upon the mission set forth by Marie Lombardi when she first granted the use of her late husband's name. Her only stipulation was that all net proceeds from the event be donated to the American Cancer Society and millions have been raised since that time.

This year's Rotary Lombardi Award is being presented by Wachovia Bank. The Rotary Club of Houston, in operation since 1912, is an association of more than 300 successful business professionals, all prominent in their individual fields of endeavor, who volunteer their efforts through the work of some two dozen club committees. Assistance is provided to such diverse groups as troubled youngsters, former prison inmates, business oriented high school students, families of cancer patients, deserving college scholarship candidates and the nation's cancer research efforts. The Rotary Club of Houston is leading a neighborhood initiative to benefit Houston’s East End. Through collaboration with major corporate, civic and philanthropic partners, including many Houston area Rotary Clubs, Rotary activities will respond to identified community needs in the areas of public health, education, vocational training and micro-enterprises.

Vince Lombardi never coached a football game in Houston in his life, but 38 years after his passing, his name and Houston have become indelibly linked thanks to the tireless efforts of generations of members of the Rotary Club of Houston.

Since 1970, members of this club have honored the finest linemen in college football with the Rotary Lombardi Award, while raising money for the American Cancer Society. The Rotary Lombardi Award is one of only two national athletic honors to carry the name of Vince Lombardi, the other being the trophy awarded to the winner of the Super Bowl.

ACS Trophy

For information on the 2008 Rotary Lombardi Award, please contact the Rotary Office or call 713-973-9936

Click here to view a short presentation.