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Houston, Texas -- Three offensive linemen are among the four finalists for the Rotary Lombardi Award, which will be awarded on December 6 in Houston, Texas, Centers Ben Hamilton of Minnesota and Dominic Raiola of Nebraska and guard Steve Hutchinson of Michigan join with defensive end Jamal Reynolds of Florida State as finalists for the 31st annual honor.
This marks the first time three offensive linemen have been finalists since 1983, when eventual winner Dean Steinkuhler of Nebraska was joined by fellow offensive linemen Doug Dawson of Texas and Bill Fralic of Pittsburgh along with defensive end Reggie White of Tennessee on the final ballot.
The Rotary Lombard Award is annually presented to the college lineman - on offense or defense - who, in addition to outstanding performance on the field, best exemplifies the characteristics and discipline of Vince Lombardi. Corey Moore of Virginia Tech was the 1999 recipient of the Trophy. The 2000 winner will be announced at a dinner in Houston on December 6. Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Houston, the award dinner has raised more than $2.4 million for the American Cancer Society's cancer research programs since its inception in 1970.
The son of former Minnesota Vikings guard Wes Hamilton, Ben Hamilton has been a dominant force in the middle of the Gophers offensive line for four seasons. He has started 42 of 43 games in his career and not allowed a sack since his sophomore season. Hutchinson, a semifinalist in 1999, has made 41 starts for the Wolverines and is on track to become just the second Michigan player to earn first-team All Big 10 honors in four consecutive seasons. Raiola has anchored a Nebraska offensive line that has the Huskers once again leading the nation in rushing. Reynolds lead the Seminoles with 10 sacks and has also caused a pair of safeties.
Hamilton is the first Gopher to be named a finalist for the award. Hutchinson is the fourth player from Michigan to be named a finalist and is looking to become the school's first winner. Raiola is the 10th Husker to become a finalist and is looking to become the fifth to win, matching Ohio State for the most in the award's history. Reynolds is the eighth Seminole finalist (seventh in the last 10 years) and hopes to become their second winner.
The four finalists were selected in voting by nearly 300 members of the selection committee made up of sportswriters, broadcasters and Division I head coaches from around the country. The four finalists and their head coaches will be flown to Houston on December 5 for a myriad of activities in Houston, which includes visits to local hospitals and area youth clubs. The culmination of their time in Houston will be the black tie dinner at the J.W. Marriott Hotel on December 6, where the 31st recipient of the Lombardi Award will be revealed.
Tickets for the 2000 Rotary Lombardi dinner are $200 and can be purchased by calling the Rotary Office (713) 973-9936. This year, interested individuals may also join in the dinner's fundraising efforts through the Lombardi Cancer Challenge, which allows friends and family the opportunity to purchase special pennants that will honor or memorialize individuals who had personal battles with cancer. The pennants, which feature an image of legendary football coach Vince Lombardi, will be inscribed with the name of the designated individual and be placed on display at the Rotary Lombardi Award Dinner.
Pennants are $25 and all proceeds will benefit the Houston chapter of the American Cancer Society, which is dedicated to education, patient services and research to find a cure. Order forms for the Lombardi Cancer Challenge pennants can be obtained by contacting the American Cancer Society Office at (713 706-5634) and online at the official award web site (www.rotarylombardiaward.com).
|
NAME |
SCHOOL |
POS. |
HT. |
WT. |
Yr. |
HOMETOWN |
|
Hamilton, Ben |
Minnesota |
C |
6-5 |
283 |
Sr. |
Plymouth, MN |
|
Hutchinson, Steve |
Michigan |
OG |
6-5 |
299 |
Sr. |
Coral Springs, FL |
|
Nebraska |
C |
6-2 |
300 |
Jr. |
Honolulu, HI | |
|
Reynolds, Jamal |
Florida State |
DE |
6-4 |
255 |
Sr. |
Aiken, SC |