Lombardi Award honors
top scholastic linemen
VERONICA YANKOWSKI Marlboro’s Danielle Tarzy swims the breaststroke during the girls’ 200 yard IM at the Shore Conference Swimming Championships at the Ocean County YMCA in Toms River on Feb. 12.
Linemen, who labor in obscurity on the football gridiron, will have their moments in the sun on March 7 when the Rotary Clubs of Monmouth County present the 31st Annual Vince Lombardi Dinner at the Sheraton Hotel, Eatontown.
The event honors the top senior linemen from Monmouth County High Schools. Dave Jennings, the former NFL punter for the New York Giants and Jets and current football analyst, will serve as the master of ceremonies.
The linemen will receive the Block of Granite Award, reminiscent of the "Seven Blocks of Granite" nickname for the 1936 Fordham University football team. Lombardi was the right guard on that famous line.
Lombardi, of course, gained his fame as the head coach of the Green Bay Packers, leading them to five NFL titles in the 1960s and the first two Super Bowl crowns. His 1965-67 Packers set the record for consecutive NFL titles.
Lombardi died in 1970 from cancer and that year the collegiate Lombardi Award was handed out for the very first time to Ohio State’s Jim Stillwagon.
The Rotary Club of Monmouth County received permission afterwards to present the award on the high school level.
The county coaches and their staffs selected the players who best exemplify the traditions and ideals of the legendary Lombardi. They judged their players on discipline, courage, endurance, desire, ability and performance.
Winners of the 2002 Lombardi Award are: Terrence Guy, Asbury Park; Rich McGraw, Colts Neck; Jim Breese, Freehold Borough; Erik Yngstrom, Freehold Township; Pat Codd, Holmdel; Rich Robertiello, Howell; Bryan Scott, Keansburg; A.J. Youncofski, Keyport; Charles Ferrara III, Long Branch; Rich Peckio, Manalapan; David Kircher, Manasquan; Ryan Brand, Marlboro; Pat Callahan, Matawan Regional; Brian Masterson, Mater Dei; Shane Render, Middletown North; Drew Nagel, Middletown South; Daniel Perillo, Monmouth Regional; Anthony Bernard, Neptune; Drew Tedeshi, Ocean Township; Steve Oddo, Raritan; Robert Occhiuzzi, Red Bank Catholic; Julius Holmes, Red Bank Regional; John Valkos, Rumson-Fair Haven; Derek Myers, Shore Regional; Thomas Dutcher, St. John Vianney; and James Pittenger, Wall Township.
Other awards to be presented that night are the Coach of the Year, Team of the Year and the John Tuggle Award.
Funds raised from the dinner will aid in the fight against cancer, support 46 health and human services agencies the United Way of Monmouth County assists and also aid in sponsoring children in need of corrective heart surgery under the Rotary Gift of Life Foundation.
Admission price, which includes reception, silent and live auctions, raffles and awards program, is $50 per person.
For reservations or additional information on the dinner, call the United Way of Monmouth County at (732) 938-5988.

