Monmouth County’s top high school linemen will have their turn in the spotlight on March 1 when the Sheraton Hotel, Eatontown, hosts the 30th Annual Vince Lombardi Awards Dinner, sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of Monmouth County.
Dave Jennings, former New York Giants and New York Jets punter and current Jets radio analyst, will once again serve as master of ceremonies.
The Lombardi Awards honor the late Green Bay Packers head coach, who led the Packers to five NFL titles in the 1960s, including a record three straight (1965-67) and wins in the first two Super Bowls. Lombardi was a member of Fordham University’s famous Seven Blocks of Granite in 1936; hence, the award honors linemen.
In naming the award, which began at the college level and was first awarded to Ohio State’s Jim Stillwagon in 1970, after Lombardi, it provides linemen, who mostly toil in anonymity on the football field, their chance to be recognized for their achievements.
The individuals selected for the award best exemplify the traditions and ideals of the legendary Lombardi. In judging those individuals, coaches and their staff considered the following: discipline, courage, endurance, desire, ability and performance.
Locally, the 2002 Lombardi Award winners are: Michael Nemeth, Allentown; Michael Sarapochillo, Colts Neck; Ed Wilgucki, Freehold Borough; Mike Castellano, Freehold Township; Chris Sapienza, Holmdel; Mike Bottiglieri, Howell; Williams Dowd, Keansburg; Steve Cline, Keyport; Anthony Miscia, Long Branch; Ed Sliwoski, Manalapan; Joe Recanatini, Marlboro; Ed Derechailo, Matawan; Chris Cardone, Mater Dei; Tony Hudson, Middletown North; Thomas Mauro, Middletown South; Dave Wendel, Monmouth Regional; Jesse Orbach, Raritan; Matthew Natasi, Red Bank Catholic; Sam Kinningham, Red Bank Regional; Kelan McElduff, Rumson-Fair Haven; Justin Lugones, Shore Regional; and Matt Doda, St. John Vianney.
Other awards to be presented on March 12 are the Monmouth County Coach of the Year, Team of the Year, and John Tuggle Award.
The funds raised from this dinner will aid in the fight against cancer as well as support the 39 health and human services agencies the United Way of Monmouth County assists, and will aid in sponsoring children in need of corrective heart surgery under the Rotary Gift of Life Foundation. Lombardi died of cancer in 1970.
Tickets for the dinner are on sale at the United Way of Monmouth County and are $50 each. To purchase tickets call the United Way at (732) 938-5988.