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JOHN ROBINSON ENSHRINED IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME

2010-07-20T21:51:40-08:00

JOHN ROBINSON ENSHRINED IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME
John Robinson’s long and distinguished career was culminated this past weekend when the former USC and Nevada Las Vegas coach was enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Indiana.
Robinson won 104 games at USC and compiled the best winning percentage of any college coach in bowl games, winning eight of nine, including four Rose Bowls.
A member of the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, presenters of the annual Ronnie Lott Trophy, Robinson won five conference championships at USC and a National Championship in 1978.
“I was very lucky to go to USC; we had good players. We were expected to win, but we had the opportunity to win,” said Robinson. “The thing I remember the most is my first year. I started out. I was an unknown selection. And I lost the first game, badly. But then we won all the rest of them and went to the Rose Bowl and played (and beat) a great Michigan team, [coached by] Bo Schembechler. And Bo and I got to be very good friends. Just that year, particularly, stands out.”
Robinson was known as one of the great running backs coaches of all-time. Two of his backs, Charles White and Marcus Allen, won the Heisman Trophy. He also coached Ricky Bell at USC and Eric Dickerson, the NFL’s all-time single-season rushing leader, with the Rams.
Robinson began his coaching career at his alma mater, the University of Oregon. Among those he coached at Oregon were Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Fouts and current San Diego Charger Head Coach Norv Turner. He then served as USC’s offensive coordinator under John McKay in 1974 and in the same capacity for the Oakland Raiders under John Madden the following year.
At USC, he was twice named the conference Coach of the Year and in 1979 the National Coach of the Year.
Robinson was hired by the Rams in 1983 and twice took the team to the NFC Championship game. He won 79 games as the Rams’ head coach, most by any coach in the franchise’s history.
He returned to USC in 1993 and won another Rose Bowl. He concluded his coaching career with a five-year stint at UNLV where he won 28 games, one bowl game and was named conference Coach of the Year again.
Today Robinson, 74, works as a color analyst on Sports USA Radio Network and is a volunteer coach at San Marcos High School in San Marcos, where he makes his home.
Named after Pro Football Hall of Fame member, Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy is awarded to college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. Founded in 2004 by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, The Lott Trophy is the first and only college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player. The Lott Trophy is given to the player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation and the Legends Coaches which is a distinguished group of former college football head coaches. The seventh annual Lott Trophy dinner will be held December 12th at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, California. For more information on The Lott Trophy visit: http://www.LottTrophy.com.

BIG MAN ON PURDUE CAMPUS: RYAN KERRIGAN

2010-07-12T21:16:06-08:00

WEST LAFAYETTE, Indiana – To be a big man on the college campus, you must be a football star or a physically large person or a highly regarded student.
Once in a great while you get all three rolled into one.
Meet Ryan Kerrigan of Purdue University, a 6-4, 265-pound defensive end who meets the criteria across the board. An All-American on the field after recording 13 sacks and forcing a national best 7 fumbles, he is also an Academic All-American as a math major with a 3.38 grade point average.
Turns out, he’s a good guy, too. “He’s as genuine and polite a young man as I have had the privilege of being around in my coaching career,” says Purdue Coach Danny Hope.
So it’s no surprise Kerrigan is one of the 42 student-athletes on the Lott Trophy Watch List for 2010. The Lott Trophy is the prestigious national award, now in its seventh season, given to the player who has the biggest IMPACT on his team on and off the field.
IMPACT stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.
After his banner 2009 season when he led the Big Ten in sacks and was named Purdue’s Most Valuable Player on defense, Kerrigan rejected the opportunity to be a high NFL draft choice, opting instead for a collegiate senior year that will see him receive his degree.
“He demonstrated his loyalty to his team and Purdue by returning for his senior season,” said Hope, obviously delighted to have his co-captain back for one more year. “He always puts the team before self and makes time for everyone, whether it is signing an autograph or granting an interview.”
One person likely not pleased to see Kerrigan return to Purdue is Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor. In his last two games against the Buckeyes, Kerrigan has five sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
The win over Ohio State in October and a road victory at Michigan highlighted a disappointing 5-7 season for Purdue last season. Then Kerrigan broke a bone in his foot in the finale against Indiana, an injury that recurred during spring practice. But the senior from Muncie, Indiana is fully recovered and ready to go for 2010. “We had so many guys who are going to be key players for us in the fall who couldn’t practice (in the spring). It’s critical we all take care of ourselves, get our bodies well, train well this summer and get ready for the season,” said Kerrigan.
“Ryan Kerrigan is a class act all the way,” says Purdue’s Sports Information Director Tom Schott. “You only get a handful of guys like this to work with and he’s one of the best, reliable, and conscientious. He’s a dream for us.”
The Boilermakers are said to be much improved for the new season. They and Kerrigan will get an early test when they open Sept. 4 against Notre Dame.
Purdue, of course, is known as a quarterback college. The Big Men on the Campus have always been Lennie Dawson, Bob Griese, Mike Phipps, Gary Danielson, Mark Hermann, Jim Everett and Drew Brees. (As well as astronaut Neil Armstrong and legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden).
Now, Ryan Kerrigan is looking to alter that focus to the defensive line where he figures to be one of the best in the country this year.
One of those rooting for the big defensive end is Athletic Director Morgan Burke, who in March wrote to Kerrigan and said: “Your accomplishments are proof that championship experiences in athletics and academics are occurring at Purdue.”
Named after Pro Football Hall of Fame member, Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy is awarded to college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. Founded in 2004 by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, The Lott Trophy is the first and only college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player. The Lott Trophy is given to the player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation and the Legends Coaches which is a distinguished group of former college football head coaches. To date, the Foundation has donated more than $750,000 to various charities throughout the country. The seventh annual Lott Trophy dinner will be held December 12th at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, California. For more information on The Lott Trophy visit: http://www.LottTrophy.com.

NORTH CAROLINA’S QUINN QUICKLY BECOMES AN ELITE PLAYER

2010-06-14T17:50:50-08:00

Lott Profiles 2010 (No. 3, June 14)
The Q in Robert Quinn’s name does not stand for quitter.
Quite the contrary.
Quit when double teamed? No way. Quit when the play is on the opposite side of the field? No chance. Quit when they discover a tumor in your brain and tell you sports may be out of the question. Nope, not Robert Quinn.
Now a 270-pound defensive end at North Carolina, Robert Quinn has emerged as one of the elite players in the country and has been nominated for the seventh annual Lott Trophy, a distinguished national award given to the player who has the biggest IMPACT on his team on and off the field.
IMPACT stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity, all traits that young Mr. Quinn has exhibited.
As a high school senior in Ladson, South Carolina, Quinn was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Surgery reduced the size of the tumor, which was benign, and drained the fluid around it. Two months later, Quinn was back on the wrestling team and went on to win the state championship a third time.
“(The surgery) taught me to appreciate the little things and make the most of your opportunities,” he told the Sporting News last fall.
Quinn told the Charleston Post and Courier: “When I first had the surgery there were some doubts that I might ever play football again, but as soon as the doctors told me everything was going to be OK I knew I was going to get back on the field. I had no doubt I was going to play football again. I wasn’t going to let something like this keep me off the field, no way.”
Sure, just a little brain tumor, is all.
Quinn is such an impressive young man that many coaches who had recruited him, including Nick Saban at Alabama, Steve Spurrier at South Carolina and Butch Davis at North Carolina said they would still give him a scholarship even if he couldn’t ever play football again.
“You think about all that was almost taken away from me with football and athletics,” he said. You just have to take advantage of everything.”
And as he enters his junior season, Quinn is taking advantage of his vast physical skills. He has run a 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds, bettering the position record at North Carolina held by Julius Peppers, the All-Pro of the Carolina Panthers. He bench presses nearly 400 pounds and has a 32-inch vertical leap.
UNC Coach Davis calls Quinn a “beast.” But Davis also points out: “He’s truly a humble kid. He’s worked extremely hard for everything he’s gotten.”
“I just look at it all as a second chance at life,” says Quinn.
Last September North Carolina thrashed East Carolina, 31-17 and ECU Coach Skip Holtz proclaimed: “I think Quinn is a pro right now.” At one point in the game, Quinn sacked ECU quarterback Patrick Pinkney. “He sacked him so fast, I thought somebody jumped offside,” said North Carolina safety Deunta Williams, who is also on the Lott Trophy Watch List for 2010.
Quinn had a marvelous sophomore season on Chapel Hill, leading the Tar Heels in sacks (11), tackles for loss (19) and quarterback hurries (15). He was awarded the ACC’s Brian Piccolo Award for being the most courageous player in the conference.
But there’s more to the Robert Quinn story.
A year ago, Lavelle Sloan, a local high school running back was diagnosed with a brain tumor the size of a golf ball. He was sent to Duke Hospital in Durham where Quinn heard about the situation. “When I was told about it,” Quinn said. “I knew that I’d do whatever I could to help. It just touched me so personally because I went through the same thing. I knew exactly how he was feeling.”
Quinn visited Sloan in the hospital and arranged for him to come to a North Carolina game. “I told him to take every day to the fullest, to keep your head up, to keep moving, just to keep waking up every morning, to keep fighting.”
But while Quinn’s tumor was benign, Sloan’s was malignant and he died this past April
“When Lavelle went to the [Miami] game and met Robert, he was just brightened,” Sloan’s mother, Marilyn Sloan, said. “He saw a new light coming his way after being depressed.” Nancy Butters, a child life specialist who helped care for Sloan at Duke, said Sloan was thrilled to meet Quinn. “It was a highlight of his final 12 months,” Butters said. “It really meant a lot to him.”
No, the Q in Robert Quinn’s name does not stand for quitter, rather for Quite a Young Man.
Named after Pro Football Hall of Fame member, Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy is awarded to college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. Founded in 2004 by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, The Lott Trophy is the first and only college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player. The Lott Trophy is given to the player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation and the Legends Coaches which is a distinguished group of former college football head coaches. To date, the Foundation has donated more than $750,000 to various charities throughout the country. The seventh annual Lott Trophy dinner will be held December 12th at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, California. For more information on The Lott Trophy visit: http://www.LottTrophy.com.

MOHAMED GROWS INTO CAL STAR

2010-06-03T17:09:50-08:00

MOHAMED GROWS INTO CAL STAR
Lott Profiles 2010 (No. 2, June 1)
The Imperial Valley lies deep in Southern California, tucked up against the Mexican border. It is farm land, where they grow tons of lettuce and thousands of pounds of onions. They grow plenty of melons and truckloads of sugar beets.
And one linebacker. One very good linebacker.
Mike Mohamed, the great-grandson of an immigrant farmer who built a thriving farm in Brawley, has grown to be a 240-pound tackling machine for the California Golden Bears.
Niaz Mohamed Sr. was born in India, migrated to America and became a US Citizen. He bought 1,000 acres of the Imperial Valley and began planting. Today, his son Niaz Mohamed Jr., oversees more than 100 employees all of whom likely root for the big Cal linebacker.
Niaz Jr. is Mike’s grandfather and still running the family business, a source of great family pride in the valley.
Meanwhile, Mike Mohamed is headed for a senior season that is sure to add even more pride to the Mohamed family. He’s already been a three-time Pac-10 All-Academic performer and last season was named first team All-Pac-10 when he led the conference in tackles with 112, giving him 245 for his sterling career.
The combination of excellence in the classroom and on the field has planted Mohamed on The Lott Trophy Watch List, the award that goes to the top college defensive player who has the biggest IMPACT* on his team both on and off the field.
(*IMPACT stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity).
Mohamed is majoring in business administration at the Haas School of Business at Berkeley, one of the top undergrad programs in the country.
The fact that he is able to balance his academics with his football is a tribute to how he was raised.
“I worked in everything from the cooking shed to driving a tractor when I was growing up,” he said. “I learned my work ethic on the farm. The hard work there applies to football. Nothing comes easy and it takes a lot of time.
“I’ve learned to be very time-efficient,” he told Jimmy Tran of The Daily Californian. “I’ve had to get good at picking things up the first or second time I read them. I don’t have the time to keep going over things.”
Fellow Linebacker Mychael Kendricks is dazzled by Mohamed: “He’s smart, without a doubt. He’s fast and strong, too, but when you’re smart on top of that it makes a good combination.”
He’s also one of the most popular players on the Bears.
“He’s the coolest guy,” says D.J. Holt, another linebacker. “He is so chill, never talks about anybody, someone you can trust, a great guy overall. He’s smart, wise and a true friend who gives good advice. He’s always positive and that’s always a good attribute to have as a friend.”
But stardom in college isn’t what makes Mike Mohamed the happiest. “Just being with my family,” he says. “They’re the ones who have been there for me and they always will. My parents made it to all my games last year and other family members are there often.”
“Sports were not an option growing up unless you were working hard in the classroom,” he said. “That really helps when you get to college.”
Mohamed is the oldest of six children, the other five are all younger girls. “His sisters love him,” says his father, Mike. “He’s king of the castle. They’ll do just about anything for him. I don’t get treated that well.”
The goal-oriented Mohameds of Brawley are all over these days. Mike has two cousins, Marty and Kyle, who are starring academically and on the field at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Another cousin, Dylan, is headed to West Point this fall. All have been honored by the National Football Foundation as scholar-athletes.
And giving is part of the Mohamed nature.
“Anytime he’s asked to give his time, he never says no,” says his father. “He’s always willing to help and do things for other people. Sometimes I’m in awe of it because it’s hard for a young man to do.”
Named after Pro Football Hall of Fame member, Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy is awarded to college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. Founded in 2004 by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, The Lott Trophy is the first and only college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player. The Lott Trophy is given to the player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation and the Legends Coaches which is a distinguished group of former college football head coaches. The seventh annual Lott Trophy dinner will be held December 12th at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, California. For more information on The Lott Trophy visit: http://www.LottTrophy.com

Pete Donovan
The Lott Trophy
760/360-0414
Petedonovan@thelotttrophy.com
Plays4pars@aol.com
Thelotttrophy.com

OHIO STATE’S HEYWARD EYES HIS OWN SUCCESS

2010-05-19T20:37:05-08:00

OHIO STATE’S HEYWARD EYES HIS OWN SUCCESS
Lott Profiles 2010 (No. 1, May 19)
NEWPORT BEACH, Ca. – For Cameron Heyward, the shadows are everywhere.
He plays football at Ohio State, a school with a rich history of All-Americans, major award winners and future NFL stars. He plays defensive tackle, a position manned by two of the first three selections in the most recent NFL draft, Ndamukong Suh of Nebraska and Gerald McCoy of Oklahoma. And he is the son of a former college and NFL star, the charismatic Craig “Ironhead” Heyward.
But Cameron Heyward is unfazed by those shadows. He wants to cast his own and is determined to be better than all who went before him.
A giant of a defensive lineman, the super-confident, hard-working Heyward is not just day dreaming. Entering his senior season at Ohio State, he’s considered the best defensive lineman in the country and on every major award watch list, including the Lott Trophy, which goes to the outstanding defensive player who has the biggest IMPACT on his team on and off the field. And Heyward is definitely an IMPACT Player.
At 6-5 and 290 pounds, he can dominate from either the tackle or end position on the defensive front. No less of an expert than Nebraska Coach Bo Pelini, a former Ohio State star, says “To be good, you’ve got to be good up front, and if you have guys like (Suh, the Outland Trophy winner at Nebraska last season) and Cameron Heyward that can really control people up front, it’s going to make everyone around them better. If you don’t have that, you don’t have anything, because if you’re getting dominated at the line of scrimmage, you’re going to have problems. One guy can’t do it by himself. We were good around Suh, too. But the microscope was on him, and the microscope will be on Cameron.”
“I want to be the best,” Heyward told Doug Lesmerises of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “I want to be the most dominant who ever played. The main thing is I’m not there right now, but I want to be there by the start of the season. When you look at Suh and McCoy, they took over the game for the full four quarters, and I want to do that every game and do it all the time. “I’m quick for my size and very agile,” Heyward said. “I can fire off the ball and love disrupting the passing game. I need to work on my fundamentals, like staying low and I still want to get a little stronger.”
Heyward’s father Ironhead Heyward died tragically at the age of 39 just four years ago. Wrote Bob Smizik of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette: “He (Ironhead) had a personality that enhanced everyone and with that smile that lit up a room.” Ironhead was an All-American at Pitt and gained over 4,000 yards as a large (some say over 300 pounds) running back in the pros. Said Pitt Coach Dave Wannstedt at the time of Heyward’s death from a brain tumor, “I will always remember him as a tremendous player who had an irrepressible attitude on and off the field.”
Cameron Heyward is now carving out his own promising career. An all-Big Ten selection, he led the Rose Bowl champion Buckeyes with 7.5 sacks last season, along with 11 TFL and a fumble recovery In addition to his prowess on the field, Heyward pays attention in the classroom. He’ll graduate next spring with a degree in human development and a 3.2 grade point average. Those numbers add up to being a legitimate Lott Trophy candidate. And it would certainly be no surprise if Heyward was at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach in December for the annual Lott Trophy Banquet. Ohio State has been the most successful school in the nation when it comes to The Lott Trophy. The Buckeyes have had four finalists in the first six years of the award with James Laurinaitis winning the trophy in 2008. Laurinaitis was a finalist in ’07 as were Quinn Pitcock in ’06 and A.J. Hawk in ’05. Will Heyward make it five in 2010?

Named after Pro Football Hall of Fame member, Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy is awarded to college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. Founded in 2004 by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, The Lott Trophy is the first and only college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player. The Lott Trophy is given to the player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation and the Legends Coaches which is a distinguished group of former college football head coaches. The seventh annual Lott Trophy dinner will be held December 12th at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, California. For more information on The Lott Trophy visit: http://www.LottTrophy.com.

Pete Donovan
The Lott Trophy
760/360-0414
Plays4pars@aol.com
Thelotttrophy.com

Kermit’s Song

2010-05-13T20:38:54-08:00

Kermit’s Song
By Tom Friend
ESPN:
RIVERSIDE, Calif.—The old pro could feel the earthquake 3,000 miles away. He watched the endless television reports, on two knees, wondering whether his future had suddenly become his past. He looked for familiar faces in the rubble, but ended up with a throbbing headache instead. He cringed at the thought of more funerals and woke up that first night in a sweat, flashing back to a cup of coffee that was never drunk, flashing forward to a house that never had kids. He decided there was nothing worse than an empty home. And at that moment, no home was more barren than the old pro’s.
The one person who had mattered most in his life was already gone. And now it seemed as if the earth was swallowing his second family whole, five at once. He had no way of calming his mind, no way of getting real news, because the phone lines were severed. But it was his gut feeling he’d seen the last of them. Three boys and two girls—history. He decided if they were buried alive, it would be the end of him, that he would be the first man to die twice. He figured his obituary would read: “Former NFL star, 69, dies of guilt.” He figured he’d just lie down and his whole remarkable, tortured life would pass in front of his eyes. Like this ...
Finish the story at …http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=100513/KermitAlexander

Named after Pro Football Hall of Fame member, Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy is awarded to college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. Founded in 2004 by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, The Lott Trophy is the first and only college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player. The Lott Trophy is given to the player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation and the Legends Coaches which is a distinguished group of former college football head coaches. The seventh annual Lott Trophy dinner will be held December 12th at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, California. For more information on The Lott Trophy visit: http://www.LottTrophy.com.

All Four Finalists for the 2009 Lott Trophy Drafted By NFL Teams in the first round

2010-04-27T20:37:15-08:00

NEWPORT BEACH, Ca. – All four finalists for the 2009 Lott Trophy, including winner Jerry Hughes of TCU, were selected in the first round of the recent NFL Draft.
Defensive Tackle Ndamukong Suh of Nebraska was chosen with the second pick by the Detroit Lions, Safety Eric Berry of Tennessee was selected fifth by the Kansas City Chiefs, Linebacker Rolando McClain of Alabama was picked eighth by the Oakland Raiders and Hughes was the 31st overall selection by the Indianapolis Colts. Suh became the second Lott Trophy finalist – joining Chris Long of Virginia who was selected by the Rams – to be the No. 2 overall choice in the draft.
Other Lott finalists who were first-round selections:
2004 – David Pollack* (Georgia), Cincinnati
2004 – Derrick Johnson (Texas), Kansas City
2005 – A.J. Hawk (Ohio State), Green Bay
2007 – Glen Dorsey* (LSU), Kansas City
2007 – Chris Long (Virginia), St. Louis
2008 – Aaron Curry (Wake Forest), Seattle
2008 – Brian Orakpo (Texas), Washington
*Lott Trophy Winner
Myron Rolle, a 2008 Lott Trophy finalist who did not play football last season as he attended Oxford on a Rhodes Scholarship, was chosen in the sixth round by the Tennessee Titans.
“I can say now to my family, my friends and young people who look up to me as a role model that I’m a Rhodes Scholar and I’ve been drafted in the NFL,” said Rolle, who starred as a defensive back at Florida State for three years.
Here is a complete list of Lott Trophy finalists, semi-finalists and quarter-finalists from 2009 and where they were drafted:
Jerry Hughes, TCU (Winner) 1st round, Indianapolis
Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska (Finalist) 1st round, Detroit
Eric Berry, Tennessee (Finalist) 1st round, Kansas City
Rolando McClain, Alabama (Finalist) 1st round, Oakland
Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma (Semi-finalist) 1st round, Tampa Bay
Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri (Qtr-finalist) 1st round, Atlanta
Kyle Wilson, Boise State (Qtr-finalist) 1st round, New York Jets
Taylor Mays, USC (Semi-finalist) 2nd round, San Francisco
Brian Price, UCLA (Quarter-finalist) 2nd round, Tampa Bay
Brandon Spikes, Florida (Quarter-finalist) 2nd round, New England
Pat Angerer, Iowa (Quarter-finalist) 2nd round, Indianapolis
Eric Norwood, South Car. (Semi-finalist) 4th round, Carolina
Trevard Lindley, Kentucky (Qtr-finalist) 4th round, Philadelphia
Alterraun Verner, UCLA (Qtr-finalist) 4th round, Tennessee
Darrel Stuckey, Kansas (Qtr-finalist) 4th round, San Diego
Kurt Coleman, Ohio State (Qtr-finalist) 7th round, Philadelphia

Another former Lott Trophy finalist, Darryl Tapp (Virginia Tech, 2004), was traded this off-season by the Seattle Seahawks to the Philadelphia Eagles. Tapp had 18 sacks in his four seasons in Seattle.

Named after Pro Football Hall of Fame member, Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy is awarded to college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. Founded in 2004 by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, The Lott Trophy is the first and only college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player. The Lott Trophy is given to the player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation and the Legends Coaches which is a distinguished group of former college football head coaches. The seventh annual Lott Trophy dinner will be held December 12th at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, California. For more information on The Lott Trophy visit: http://www.LottTrophy.com.

Pete Donovan
The Lott Trophy
760/360-0414
Plays4pars@aol.com
Thelotttrophy.com

LOTT TROPHY NAMES 2010 WATCH LIST

2010-04-15T17:12:21-08:00

For Release April 15, 2010
LOTT TROPHY NAMES 2010 WATCH LIST
Newport Beach, Ca. – The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation has announced the 2010 Watch List for the seventh annual Lott Trophy.
One spends summers on medical missions in Africa; one was diagnosed with a brain tumor in high school; another is coming back from cancer.
One led the country in sacks last season, another in interceptions.
They are just five of the 42 selected to the 2010 Lott Trophy Watch List, a cross-section of the finest student-athletes on the college football landscape.
Sam Acho of Texas (missions), Robert Quinn of North Carolina (high school tumor) and Mark Herzlich (cancer survivor) of Boston College have unique stories off the field, but like the other nominees they are outstanding performers on it, making them ideal candidates for the seventh annual Lott Trophy.
Von Miller (sack leader) of Texas A&M and Rahim Moore (interception leader) of UCLA are back, looking to be leaders once again.
The 2010 Lott Trophy Watch List was announced at a luncheon in Newport Beach by Ronnie Lott.
As a group, the 42 intercepted 81 passes last season and sacked opposing quarterbacks 185 times.
Thirty-six different schools are represented on the annual Lott Watch List with six schools—UCLA, North Carolina, Ohio State, Oregon, LSU and Virginia Tech—each having two candidates.
“This is a superb list of young men,” said Ronnie Lott, announcing the Watch List at a luncheon in Newport Beach. “We at the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation are always pleased to see the accomplishments of such outstanding student-athletes, all of whom are worthy of consideration for the Lott Trophy.”
Sponsored by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation in Newport Beach, Ca., the award is given to a player who exhibit’s the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.
Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, members of the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation Board of Directors and distinguished alumni of various schools around the nation.
The winner, who will be announced at the annual black-tie gala in December, receives $25,000 for his school’s general scholarship fund. Three runnerups each receive $5,000.
The previous winners of the Lott Trophy:
2004 - David Pollack, Georgia
2005 - DeMeco Ryans, Alabama
2006 - Dante Hughes, Cal
2007 - Glenn Dorsey, LSU
2008 - James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
2009 - Jerry Hughes, TCU
In six years, the IMPACT Foundation has now donated more than $750,000 to various charities.

2010 Lott Trophy Watch List
Sam Acho, DL, Texas, 6-3, 260, Dallas
Led Longhorns with 9 sacks…Had 13 TFL, 57 total tackles, 4 fumble recoveries…Academic All-American…Lott semi-finalist last year…Three-time member of Athletics Director’s Honor Roll…Spent time at the Jubilee Community Center helping teach adults English as a second language…Has taken mission trips to Nigeria where he performs mission work and helps provide medical care…Volunteers time to special events for local homeless shelters…Volunteered to help with landscaping around Richland College.
Akeem Ayers, LB, UCLA, 6-4, 252, Los Angeles
Recorded 14.5 tackles for loss and 6 sacks last season…Added four interceptions (two returned for touchdowns) and totaled 75 tackles…Director’s Honor Roll.
Mark Barron, S, Alabama, 6-2, 215, Mobile, Ala.
2nd team All-American…7 interceptions led SEC…125 return yards…2nd on team with 76 tackles…19 passes defended and 11 passes broken up.
Jeremy Beal, DE, Oklahoma, 6-3, 261, Carrollton, Tx
11 sacks last season…All Big-12 as sophomore and junior…3rd team All-American (AP) in ’09…Big-12 Player of the Week…15.5 tackles for loss in soph season
Brandon Boykin, S, Georgia, 5-10, 185, Fayettville, Ga.
Set Georgia school records with 38 kickoff returns for 988 yards and three touchdowns…Had two returns of 100 yards for scores…Had 54 tackles and three interceptions.
Rashad Carmichael, CB, Virginia Tech, 5-11, 186, Clinton, Md.
Six interceptions last season, 55 tackles…High school scholar-athlete three years.
Ugo Chinasa, DE, Oklahoma State, 6-5, 252, Richardson, Tx.
Led Cowboys with 6.5 sacks…Honorable mention all-conference.
Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa, 6-3, 282, St. Louis
National Defensive Player of the Year by College Football Performance Group…9.5 sacks last season…18 TFL (11th in nation)…Had 9 tackles and 2 sacks in Orange Bowl win over Georgia Tech…Iowa leadership team as sophomore and junior…All Big-Ten…3rd team All-American
Jared Crick, DL, Nebraska, 6-6, 285, Cozad, Ne.
All Big-12…15 TFL…9.5 sacks…16 QB hurries…Set school record with 5 sacks in one game (vs. Baylor)…Named National Player of the Week vs. Baylor…73 tackles on season, 2 fumble recoveries.
Brian Duncan, LB, Texas Tech, 6-1, 240, Baton Rouge, La.
Led team with 88 tackles (7 TFL)…Member of AFCA Good Works Team…
John Graves, DE, Virginia Tech, 6-3, 277, Richmond, Va.
Double major in psychology and sociology…Graduated in summer…Academic All-ACC…Blocked kicks in three consecutive games in ’08…Has played both DE and DT.
Mark Herzlich, LB, Boston College, 6-4, 238, Wayne, Pa.
Missed ’09 season while recovering from cancer…ACC Defensive Player of the Year in ’08…Awarded honorary Lott Trophy last year…Also named winner of Disney Spirit Award and ACC Commissioner’s Cup for his courage and outreach…Has 247 career tackles…All-American as a junior in ‘08
Cameron Heyward, DT, Ohio State, 6-6, 287, Suwanee, Ga.
Led Buckeyes in sacks (6.5), had 10 TFL…Son of former NFL Player Craig “Ironhead” Heyward…All Big Ten (2nd team)
Ross Homan, LB, Ohio State, 6-0, 229, Coldwater, Oh
Led Buckeyes in tackles (108) and interceptions (5)…All Big Ten (2nd team)…Had 12 tackles and an interception in Rose Bowl win over Oregon.
Jeron Johnson, S, Boise State, 5-11, 194, Compton, Ca.
Led team in tackles with 91…4 interceptions…2nd team All-WAC…All conference academic…Led Broncos in tackles as a sophomore, too.
Tejay Johnson, S, TCU, 6-1, 212, Garland, Tx.
All-Mountain West…59 tackles, 3 interceptions…working on degree for habilitation for deaf and hard of hearing…Mentors middle school kids…Volunteers at a homeless shelter…Participates in Big Brothers/Big Sisters…Served on the committee for TCU’s Black Senior Weekend…Member of the gospel choir on campus…On the executive board for TCU’s NAACP chapter
A.J. Jones, LB, Florida, 6-1, 226, Tampa
Member of Goodwill Gators who do volunteer work in the community…Has started 29 games in his career…37 tackles, 4.5 TFL last season
Greg Jones, LB, Michigan State, 6-1, 228, Cincinnati
Consensus All-American…Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year…Finished third in the country with 154 tackles…13 tackles in bowl game
Thomas Keiser, DE, Stanford, 6-5, 257, Wexford, Pa.
Led Stanford with 15 tackles for losses and 9 sacks…Wuerffel Trophy nominee for combining exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement
Ryan Kerrigan, DL, Purdue, 6-4, 263, Muncie, Ind.
Academic All-American…13 sacks (3rd in nation, led Big Ten)…18.5 tackles for loss…Led nation with seven forced fumbles…All Big Ten…Hendricks Watch List…Most Valuable Player on team
Casey Matthews, LB, Oregon, 6-2, 235, Agoura Hills, Ca.
2nd team All Pac-10…81 tackles…Son of former USC All-American and NFL standout Clay Matthews
Cliff Matthews, DE, South Carolina, 6-4, 249, Cheraw, SC
Had 10 tackles for losses, 7 sacks and team best 4 fumble recoveries for Gamecocks in ‘09
Josh McNary, DE, Army, 6-1, 225, Houston
22.5 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks-4th in nation…36.5 tackles for losses in three-year career
Wyatt Middleton, S, Navy, 6-2, 208, Norcross, Ga.
Four-year starter…Led team with four interceptions in ’09…68 tackles, two fumble recoveries, 7 passes defended
Von Miller, DE/LB, Texas A&M, 6-3, 240, DeSoto, Tx.
All-American (Sports Illustrated and Sporting News)…17 sacks led nation…Finalist for Hendricks Award and Semi-finalist for Butkus Award
Dontay Moch, DE, Nevada, 6-1, 245, Chandler, Az.
WAC Defensive Player of the Year…19.5 tackles for loss, 8th in the country…2nd team all-conference as a junior with 9.5 sacks
Mike Mohamed, LB, Cal, 6-3, 237, Brawley, Ca.
All Pac-10…Led conference with 112 tackles…Academic All Pac-10…Twice Pac-10 Player of the Week last season…Has six career interceptions… Wuerffel Trophy nominee for combining exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement… Blocked six punts in high school
Rahim Moore, S, UCLA, 6-1, 197, Los Angeles
Led nation with 10 interceptions…All Pac-10…Has started since freshman season
Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State, 6-1, 285, Los Altos, Ca.
All Pac-10…19.5 career sacks…Co-recipient of Morris Trophy as outstanding defensive lineman in the Pac-10…Grew up playing rugby in Tonga…Participated in “Learning Through Listening” program, a study of Native American issues in Oregon.
Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU, 6-1, 211, Pompano Beach, Fl.
All-American (2nd team)…All SEC…15 passes defended…No. 1 NFL prospect in SEC
Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina, 6-5, 260, Ladson, SC
All-conference performer…19 TFL, 11 sacks…No. 1 rated NFL prospect at Defensive End….Diagnosed with brain tumor in high school, but returned to win third straight heavyweight wrestling championship…Has befriended a local high school football player who has a brain tumor…Was named ACC Brian Piccolo Award winner for most courageous player in 2008.
Andrew Rich, S, BYU, 6-3, 223, Ogden, Utah
Led team with 85 tackles…4 interceptions…2nd team All-Mountain West…Academic All-Mountain West…Maintained 3.85 GPA in high school
Greg Romeus, DL, Pitt, 6-6, 270, Coral Springs, Fl.
Big East Defensive Player of the Year…11.5 TFL…8 sacks…Finalist for the Hendricks Award…3rd team All-American
Kenny Rowe, DE/LB, Oregon, 6-3, 232, Long Beach, Ca.
Led Pac-10 with 11.5 sacks…Had 15 tackles for loss…In Rose Bowl against Ohio State had three sacks and four TFL…Honorable mention all-conference
Kelvin Sheppard, LB, LSU, 6-3, 239, Stone Mountain, Ga.
Led Tigers with 103 tackles (3rd in SEC), 8.5 tackles for losses
Malcolm Smith, LB, USC, 6-1, 225, Northridge, Ca.
2nd on Trojans with 72 tackles in ’09…Had 6 tackles for losses…Brother of former Trojan wide receiver Steve Smith.
J.T. Thomas, LB, West Virginia, 6-2, 225, Ft. Lauderdale, Fl.
All-Big East…2nd on team with 76 tackles…Academic honor roll
JJ Watt, DE, Wisconsin, 6-6, 287, Pewaukee, Wi
Recorded 15.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 44 total tackles…Academic All-Big Ten
Deunta Williams, S, North Carolina, 6-2, 205, Jacksonville, NC
All-ACC…Six interceptions in ‘09…ACC Frosh Defensive Player of Year in ’07…Started every game in college (38)…Has 12 career interceptions (3rd most in school history)
Lawrence Wilson, LB, Connecticut, 6-1, 220, Tuscaloosa, Al.
10th in country with 140 tackles…11 TFL, 5 sacks…All-Big East
Alex Wujciak, LB, Maryland, 6-3, 225, West Caldwell, NJ
All-ACC…8th in country with 131 tackles…One of only two players in the nation (also Nick Bellore, CMU) to post 130 or more tackles each of the last two season…Ranked 13th nationally in tackles per game (10.2) in 2008 and eighth (10.9) last season…Has recorded double-digit tackles in 17 of his last 22 games
Anthony Wright, CB, Air Force, 5-10, 190, Cleveland
Led Mountain West with 7 interceptions for 160 yards and two touchdowns…All-Conference…National Defensive Back Player of the Bowl season by College Football Performance Group…Completed Global Engagement and Space training last summer
Named after Pro Football Hall of Fame member, Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy is awarded to college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. Founded in 2004 by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, The Lott Trophy is the first and only college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player. The Lott Trophy is given to the player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation and the Legends Coaches which is a distinguished group of former college football head coaches. The seventh annual Lott Trophy dinner will be held December 12th at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, California. For more information on The Lott Trophy visit: http://www.LottTrophy.com.

Pete Donovan
The Lott Trophy
760/360-0414
Plays4pars@aol.com
Thelotttrophy.com

The Memorial Service for Merlin Olsen

2010-03-18T05:05:18-08:00

On a gorgeous, sun-splashed March afternoon in Pasadena, NFL royalty gathered to honor one of its own. They came not in helmets, but in dark suits. There were no snarls, just sniffles.
They came to say good-bye to Merlin Olsen.
At the imposing All-Saints Church, they sat and listened to stories about one of the greatest players in professional football history. But they heard little of his gridiron prowess. They heard instead of a man who so defined character and integrity, of a man who put family first. Of a man who was humble in celebrity and one who cared for all around him.
Merlin Olsen died at 69 last week, the victim of a rare form of cancer. Arguably the greatest player in the history of the Los Angeles Rams franchise, the anchor of the famed ‘Fearsome Foursome’ and a member of the pro football Hall of Fame, Olsen was remembered as a giant of a man off the field, one who found success in multiple fields of endeavor.
“He was a scholar, an athlete, an announcer, an actor, a philanthropist, but he was more than any of those things,” said lifelong friend Ron Hadfield. “He touched so many lives as we can see today.”
More than 250 people attended the 90-minute service. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell flew in from New York. Former teammate and Hall of Famer Jack Youngblood came from Florida. Another ex-Ram and Hall of Famer, Tom Mack, came from Las Vegas to deliver one of the eulogies. “That was not an earthquake you heard at 4 this morning,” said Mack, “that was Merlin getting his last sack.”
The two remaining members of the Fearsome Foursome, the defensive line that redefined how the game was played 40 years ago, were there – Deacon Jones and Rosey Grier, who delivered the opening prayer.
There were enough teammates to fill a locker room – Dennis Harrah, Pat Haden, Vince Ferragamo, Rich Saul, Lawrence McCutcheon, Bob Klein, Myron Pottios and many others. And Hall of Famers from other teams – Marcus Allen, Ron Mix, Dan Fouts, Mike Haynes.
None could believe anything could take down the mammoth Olsen. “I don’t think he even ever had a cold,” said an emotional Youngblood.
Richard Rothbard, who traveled with Merlin and his wife Susan over the past 30 years, told everyone that his friend had indeed seen the world: “We saw the sun rise over the Taj Mahal, the sunset over the Amazon. We took a hot air balloon over the Serengeti in Africa, biked through Ireland, rode camels and had cocktails on the India-Pakistan border. Merlin was our leader, always looking for the next adventure.”
Another ex-Ram, Merlin’s brother, Phil Olsen, gave the closing eulogy: “There are countless stories about Merlin, stories about his family and his many passions. He did everything with a purpose and tried always to do the right thing. He was a great man.
“Those who knew him best saw that he worked very hard to live out the principles he believed in and he set a good example for others in the process. His legacy of personal achievement and caring for others continues on in the lives of those he touched.”
Merlin had a mission statement for life:
*The focus of my life begins at home with family, loved ones and friends. I want to use my resources to create a secure environment that fosters love, learning, laughter and mutual success.
*I will protect and value integrity.
*I will admit and quickly correct my mistakes.
*I will be a self-starter.
*I will be a caring person.
*I will be a good listener with an open mind.
*I will continue to grow and learn.
*I will facilitate and celebrate the success of others.

Named after Pro Football Hall of Fame member, Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy is awarded to college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. Founded in 2004 by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, The Lott Trophy is the first and only college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player. The Lott Trophy is given to the player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation and the Legends Coaches which is a distinguished group of former college football head coaches. The sixth annual Lott Trophy dinner will be held December 13th at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, California. For more information on The Lott Trophy visit: http://www.LottTrophy.com.

Merlin Olsen Dies at 69

2010-03-12T00:38:48-08:00

Merlin Olsen, a giant in the National Football League who was as known for his intellect, integrity and character as well as his Hall of Fame football prowess, has died at 69.
A member of both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame, Olsen died after a nearly year-long battle with cancer.
He was the keynote speaker at the 4th annual Lott Trophy Award dinner in 2007 and has served on the Advisory Board of The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, who sponsor the trophy.
“He was as fine a man as I’ve ever known,” said former Los Angeles Rams’ Public Relations Director Pete Donovan, who serves as the Media Director for The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation/The Lott Trophy. “Merlin was everything you want in a man, in a human being. He was caring, honest, hard-working, witty, intelligent, talented and extremely dedicated to his family. Those of us who knew him were unusally blessed.”
An All-American at Utah State where he won the Outland Trophy as the top defensive lineman in the country, Olsen was selected in the first round of the NFL draft by the Rams in 1962. He played in a remarkable 14 consecutive Pro Bowls and was named first team All-Pro six times. He teamed with Deacon Jones, Rosey Grier and Lamar Lundy to form the famed “Fearsome Foursome.”
Following his career in football, Olsen maintained a high level of success, first as the lead analyst on NBC’s pro football games with long-time friend Dick Enberg and later as an actor in both “Little House on the Prarie” and “Father Murphy.”
In 2006, he chaired a committee that celebrated 75 years of Rams’ football that culminated in a dramatic dinner on the floor of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, home to the Rams during Olsen’s playing days.

Voting for the Lott Trophy

2010-02-11T00:45:33-08:00

In choosing the annual winner of The Lott Trophy, the challenge for the more than 200 members of the National Voter Panel is to find a balance between the value of a player to his team, both on and off the field.
In other words, be a great player and a great guy.
It is the criteria set by the founders of The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation back in 2004 when they launched the Lott Trophy. “He must be a great player,” was the late Bill Walsh’s sentiment. Walsh, one of the original members of the IMPACT Foundation Board of Directors, of course, coached Lott with the San Francisco 49ers and marveled at the greatness of the former USC All-American.
But the award is not about greatness on the field alone. It encompasses the IMPACT acronym: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. How do you balance 10 sacks against a GPA of 3.5? Is it better to lead your conference in tackles or your team in a community project?
That’s why we put such a premium on selecting the voters for the award. We encourage each of them to consider the many facets that go into being a superior student-athlete worthy of The Lott Trophy.
Although it seems hard to believe, this is the seventh year of The Lott Trophy. And, while voting for the eventual winner of the award can be challenging, it’s equally as difficult a task in selecting the 42 student-athletes who make up our Watch List each year (we can, and often do, add to this list once the season begins.) Why 42? Well, that was Ronnie Lott’s number during his Hall of Fame NFL career.
We look at several criteria when building the Watch List:
1. The players’ performance on the field the previous season.
2. The honors he received the previous season.
3. His community work and his academic standing (as provided by the schools).
4. His value to his team (as judged by their success) and his teammates (often times he is a team captain).
So, as we prepare the 2010 Watch List, there are, as always, a series of challenges. First all, two of our four finalists from last year have decided to forego their senior year of college and enter the NFL draft – Eric Berry of Tennessee and Rolando McClain of Alabama. Semi-finalist Gerald McCoy of Oklahoma and quarter-finalist Brian Price of UCLA did the same. Did that leave the cupboard bare? Hardly. But with so many underclassmen leaving school early, we have to dig a little deeper.
While it is not necessarily a criteria, we have to be aware of getting good representation from the schools expected to be among the best in the nation, those competing for conference titles and major bowl appearances. Each of the first six winners of The Lott Trophy played on teams with at least 10 wins:
2004-David Pollack, Georgia (10-2, won Outback Bowl)
2005-DeMeco Ryans, Alabama (10-2, won Cotton Bowl)
2006-Dante Hughes, Cal (10-3, won Holiday Bowl)
2007-Glenn Dorsey, LSU (11-2, won Sugar Bowl)
2008-James Laurinaitis, Ohio State (10-3, lost Fiesta Bowl)
2009-Jerry Hughes, TCU (12-1, lost Fiesta Bowl)
For sure there are always surprises. Quinn Pitcock of Ohio State was not on our original Watch List in ’06, but made it to the finals.
We ask the schools’ Sports Information Directors to nominate a player (or players in some cases) and then begin our research on the nominee. It’s rare we take two from a school, but if each of the players merit consideration, we don’t hesitate in adding them.
Some schools provide more information than others, especially in the areas we are looking for – academics and community. One year we discovered a leading candidate was involved in a community outreach program in town, but we got the information from a sportswriter, the school being unaware of the players’ volunteerism. So we always seek multiple sources.
So, as we pour through stats and websites and Google our way around the college football nation, we are discovering dozens of worthy candidates, role models in the locker room, on campus and in the community.
Who will be the 42? We announce the 2010 Watch List April 15.
—Pete Donovan

Named after Pro Football Hall of Fame member, Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy is awarded to college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. Founded in 2004 by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, The Lott Trophy is the first and only college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player. The Lott Trophy is given to the player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation and the Legends Coaches which is a distinguished group of former college football head coaches. The sixth annual Lott Trophy dinner will be held December 13th at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, California. For more information on The Lott Trophy visit: http://www.LottTrophy.com.

HUGHES NAMED WINNER OF LOTT TROPHY

2009-12-14T07:16:59-08:00

Dec. 13, 2009

HUGHES NAMED WINNER OF LOTT TROPHY

Newport Beach, Ca. – Jerry Hughes of TCU has been named the winner of the sixth annual Lott Trophy at a gala banquet Sunday night at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, California.

Hughes is a senior Defensive End from Sugar Land, Texas and has been the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year each of the past two seasons. He led the undefeated Horned Frogs in sacks (11.5) and tackles for losses (15) this season.
Hughes was named the winner of the Hendricks Award earlier this week as the top defensive end in college football.
TCU will receive $25,000 for its general scholarship fund for Hughes’ accomplishment.
The other three finalists were Eric Berry of Tennessee, Rolando McClain of Alabama and Ndamukong Suh of Nebraska.

The award is sponsored by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation.

Named after Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott, the Lott Trophy is awarded to college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. Now in its sixth year, the Lott Trophy is the first college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player.

Sponsored by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation in Newport Beach, the award is given to the player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. Hughes has been very involved in charity outreach programs in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and was honored with a Local Hero award earlier this season. He will graduate on time from TCU in the spring after carrying 18 units this past semester.

TCU will play Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl Jan. 5 in Phoenix.

Past winners of The Lott Trophy:

2004 – David Pollack, Georgia

2005 – DeMeco Ryans, Alabama

2006 – Dante Hughes, California

2007 – Glenn Dorsey, LSU

2008 – James Laurinaitis, Ohio State

2009 – Jerry Hughes, TCU

In six years, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation has donated more than $750,000 to various charities, including $25,000 to each of the winners’ universities.

Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the IMPACT Foundation, the IMPACT Foundation Board of Advisors comprised of retired NFL players and the Legends Coaches, a distinguished group of former college head coaches.

Named after Pro Football Hall of Fame member, Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy is awarded to college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. Founded in 2004 by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, The Lott Trophy is the first and only college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player. The Lott Trophy is given to the player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation and the Legends Coaches which is a distinguished group of former college football head coaches. The sixth annual Lott Trophy dinner will be held December 13th at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, California. For more information on The Lott Trophy visit: http://www.LottTrophy.com.

LOTT FINALISTS FINISHING WITH A FLURRY

2009-12-09T17:44:26-08:00

With the 2009 regular season having come to a finish and the bowl games next on the horizon, the four finalists for the sixth annual Lott Trophy have been making headlines across the country:

All four finalists were selected to the American Football Coaches Assn. All-American team.

Ndamukong Suh of Nebraska had a spectacular and memorable day against Texas in the Big 12 championship game. Although the Cornhuskers lost, 13-12, Suh was the dominant player on the field, recording 4.5 sacks, 6 tackles for losses and 12 total tackles (all career highs). Texas quarterback Colt McCoy had never been sacked 4.5 times in any game by an entire team prior to Suh’s relentless attack. He also had seven tackles for loss and two others for no gain, meaning he had a total of nine tackles for a loss or no gain. Said long-time ABC announcer Brent Musburger: “It was the greatest single defensive performance I have ever seen.”

Suh has been chosen the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. He is a finalist for five other national awards in addition to the Lott Trophy.

Rolando McClain of Alabama was the driving force for the Crimson Tide defense in defeating Florida, 32-13, in the SEC Championship and the right to play for the national championship. McClain was credited with three quarterback hurries, five tackles and a pass breakup. For the season, he leads Alabama with 96 tackles and 12 tackles for losses and has added 11 quarterback hurries and two interceptions.

Jerry Hughes of TCU was selected the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.

Eric Berry of Tennessee was the only player to repeat on the AFCA All-American team. In three years at Tennessee, the junior safety has recorded 241 tackles and intercepted 14 passes, returning them for 494 yards.

Should McClain or Berry be chosen SEC Defensive Player of the Year, they would follow a list of Lott Trophy candidates who have won the award. David Pollack of Georgia was the Player of the Year in ’04 and went on to win the inaugural Lott Trophy. DeMeco Ryans of Alabama repeated with both awards in ’05 and Glenn Dorsey of LSU did the same in ’07. Berry won the SEC award last year when he was a Lott Trophy semi-finalist.

Where they’re going:

Alabama will play in the National Championship game against Texas on Jan. 7.

TCU will play Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl Jan. 5.

Nebraska will play Arizona in the San Diego Holiday Bowl Dec. 30.

Tennessee will play Virginia Tech in the Chick Fil-a Bowl Dec. 31.

Pete Donovan
The Lott Trophy
760/360-0414
Plays4pars@aol.com
Thelotttrophy.com

ALABAMA’S McCLAIN NAMED LOTT PLAYER OF WEEK

2009-12-01T19:39:40-08:00

ALABAMA’S McCLAIN NAMED LOTT PLAYER OF WEEK

NEWPORT BEACH, Ca. – Alabama Linebacker Rolando McClain has been named the Lott Trophy IMPACT Player of the Week for the second time this season.

McClain, a junior from Decatur, Georgia, led the Crimson Tide with 12 tackles in the 26-21 win over Auburn last Friday.

McClain, a Lott Trophy finalist, leads Alabama with 96 tackles on the season. He has 12 tackles for losses, four sacks, 11 quarterback hurries and two interceptions.

Alabama will receive $1,000 for its general scholarship fund in recognition of McClain’s achievement.

“In my opinion McClain is the best defensive player in the country,” said former Auburn Coach Pat Dye, a member of the Legends Coaches who selected the Player of the Week. “All you have to do is look at what he did against Auburn in a very tight game. He had a huge sack in the closing minutes, and then bats down the Auburn Hail Mary pass in the end zone on the final play to preserve Alabama’s win.”

McClain was also selected the SEC Defensive Player of the Week.

Other players nominated for the Player of the Week were Ndamukong Suh of Nebraska, Eric Berry of Tennessee and Jerry Hughes of TCU.

2009 Lott Trophy IMPACT Players of the Week

Week 1 – Mike Nixon, Arizona State

Week 2 – Derrick Morgan, Georgia Tech

Week 3 – Eric Berry, Tennessee

Week 4 – Pat Angerer, Iowa

Week 5 – Taylor Mays, USC

Week 6 – Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska

Week 7 – Rolando McClain, Alabama

Week 8 – Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska

Week 9 – Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri

Week 10 – Eric Berry, Tennessee

Week 11 – Jerry Hughes, TCU

Week 12 – Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska.

Week 13 – Rolando McClain, Alabama

Past winners of The Lott Trophy:

2004 – David Pollack, Georgia

2005 – DeMeco Ryans, Alabama

2006 – Dante Hughes, California

2007 – Glenn Dorsey, LSU

2008 – James Laurinaitis, Ohio State

In five years, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation has donated more than $650,000 to various charities, including $25,000 to each of the winners’ universities.

Named after Pro Football Hall of Fame member, Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy is awarded to college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. Founded in 2004 by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, The Lott Trophy is the first and only college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player. The Lott Trophy is given to the player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation and the Legends Coaches which is a distinguished group of former college football head coaches. The sixth annual Lott Trophy dinner will be held December 13th at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, California. For more information on The Lott Trophy visit: http://www.LottTrophy.com

LOTT TROPHY NAMES FOUR FINALISTS

2009-11-29T01:47:43-08:00

For Release Nov. 28, 2009

LOTT TROPHY NAMES FOUR FINALISTS

Newport Beach, Ca. – The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation has announced the four finalists for the 2009 Lott Trophy.

They are Safety Eric Berry of Tennessee, Defensive End Jerry Hughes of TCU, Linebacker Rolando McClain of Alabama and Defensive Tackle Ndamukong Suh of Nebraska.

The sixth annual Lott Trophy Banquet will be held Dec. 13 at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, Ca. where the winner will be announced. All four finalists will be in attendance at the banquet where the keynote speaker will be Peter Ueberroth.

The four finalists have been highly recommended for their off-field endeavors as well as their accomplishments on the field.

Berry is a junior from Fairburn, Georgia who was the SEC Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore and is widely considered the best defensive back in the country. He was twice selected the Lott Player of the Week this season.

Hughes is a senior from Sugar Land, Texas who was converted from a high school running back to defense as a freshman. Hughes was the Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year last season when he led the country in sacks with 15. This year, in addition to his continued stellar play on the field, he has been honored as a local hero for his community involvement in the Fort Worth area.

McClain is a junior from Decatur, Georgia who is the driving force on an Alabama defense that has been superb in leading the Crimson Tide to an undefeated (12-0) season.

Suh is a 300-pound senior from Portland, Oregon who has been the dominant defensive player in the country, credited with 22 quarterback hurries and 16 tackles for losses. He’s been named a Lott Player of the Week a record three times this season.

It is the first time Tennessee, TCU and Nebraska have had a finalist for the Lott Trophy. Alabama’s DeMeco Ryans won the award in 2005.

Past winners of The Lott Trophy:

2004 – David Pollack, Georgia

2005 – DeMeco Ryans, Alabama

2006 – Dante Hughes, California

2007 – Glenn Dorsey, LSU

2008 – James Laurinaitis, Ohio State

In five years, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation has donated more than $650,000 to various charities, including $25,000 to each of the winners’ universities.

Named after Pro Football Hall of Fame member, Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy is awarded to college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. Founded in 2004 by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, The Lott Trophy is the first and only college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player. The Lott Trophy is given to the player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation and the Legends Coaches which is a distinguished group of former college football head coaches. The sixth annual Lott Trophy dinner will be held December 13th at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, California. For more information on The Lott Trophy visit: http://www.LottTrophy.com.

Pete Donovan
The Lott Trophy
760/360-0414
Plays4pars@aol.com
Thelotttrophy.com

NEBRASKA’S NDAMUKONG SUH NAMED LOTT PLAYER OF WEEK FOR THIRD TIME

2009-11-24T03:37:23-08:00

NEBRASKA’S NDAMUKONG SUH NAMED LOTT PLAYER OF WEEK FOR THIRD TIME

NEWPORT BEACH, Ca. – Nebraska Defensive Tackle Ndamukong Suh has been named the Lott Trophy IMPACT Player of the Week for the third time this season. Suh is the only player to win the award three times in a year.

Suh, a 6-4, 300-pound senior from Portland, Oregon had nine tackles, two for losses (including 1.5 sacks), two pass break ups and a quarterback hurry in Nebraska’s 17-3 win over Kansas State that clinched the Big 12 North for the Cornhuskers.

Suh, a Lott Trophy semi-finalist, leads Nebraska with 65 tackles, 15 tackles for losses, 20 quarterback hurries. 10 pass breakups and three blocked kicks.

Nebraska will receive $1,000 for its general scholarship fund in recognition of Suh’s achievement.

“Not much more can be said about Ndamukong Suh after the season he’s had,” said former Arkansas Coach Frank Broyles, a member of the Legends Coaches who selected the Player of the Week. “He is so dominant that opponents have to double or triple team him to stop him, making him the most valuable defensive player on Nebraska.”

Other players nominated for the Player of the Week were Rolando McClain of Alabama, Eric Berry of Tennessee, Gerald McCoy of Oklahoma and Jerry Hughes of TCU.

2009 Lott Trophy IMPACT Players of the Week

1 – Mike Nixon, Arizona State

Week 2 – Derrick Morgan, Georgia Tech

Week 3 – Eric Berry, Tennessee

Week 4 – Pat Angerer, Iowa

Week 5 – Taylor Mays, USC

Week 6 – Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska

Week 7 – Rolando McClain, Alabama

Week 8 – Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska

Week 9 – Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri

Week 10 – Eric Berry, Tennessee

Week 11 – Jerry Hughes, TCU

Week 12 – Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska.

Past winners of The Lott Trophy:

2004 – David Pollack, Georgia

2005 – DeMeco Ryans, Alabama

2006 – Dante Hughes, California

2007 – Glenn Dorsey, LSU

2008 – James Laurinaitis, Ohio State

In five years, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation has donated more than $650,000 to various charities, including $25,000 to each of the winners’ universities.

Named after Pro Football Hall of Fame member, Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy is awarded to college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. Founded in 2004 by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, The Lott Trophy is the first and only college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player. The Lott Trophy is given to the player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation and the Legends Coaches which is a distinguished group of former college football head coaches. The sixth annual Lott Trophy dinner will be held December 13th at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, California. For more information on The Lott Trophy visit: http://www.LottTrophy.com
http://www.lotttrophy.com/
Pete Donovan
The Lott Trophy
760/360-0414
Plays4pars@aol.com
Thelotttrophy.com

PETER UEBERROTH TO BE KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT ANNUAL LOTT TROPHY BANQUET

2009-11-20T03:33:44-08:00

PETER UEBERROTH TO BE KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT ANNUAL LOTT TROPHY BANQUET

(For release as desired, Nov. 19, 2009)

NEWPORT BEACH, Ca. – Peter Ueberroth, one of the most distinguished figures in American sports over the past 25 years, will be the keynote speaker at the 6th annual Lott Trophy Banquet Dec. 13.

Ueberroth served as the chairman of the Los Angeles Olympic Committee that ran the successful 1984 Olympic Games. He was named Time Magazine’s Man of the Year.

Ueberroth then was elected commissioner of Major League baseball and was in that position for five years. During that span, baseball enjoyed huge growth and franchises recognized record profits.

“Peter Ueberroth follows an impressive list of keynote speakers we have been fortunate to have over the years,” said John Hamilton, Chairman of the Pacific Club’s IMPACT Foundation, sponsors of The Lott Trophy. “Mr. Ueberroth is highly respected in the sports world and will, I’m sure, have a powerful and positive message for our finalists and our audience.”

Previous keynote speakers at the Lott Banquet have been Bill Walsh, John Robinson, Jack Kemp, Frank Gifford, Merlin Olsen and Keith Jackson.

The Banquet, which honors the four finalists for the Lott Trophy and announces the winner, will be held at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach.

Past winners of The Lott Trophy:

2004 – David Pollack, Georgia

2005 – DeMeco Ryans, Alabama

2006 – Dante Hughes, California

2007 – Glenn Dorsey, LSU

2008 – James Laurinaitis, Ohio State

In five years, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation has donated more than $650,000 to various charities, including $25,000 to each of the winners’ universities.

Named after Pro Football Hall of Fame member, Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy is awarded to college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. Founded in 2004 by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, The Lott Trophy is the first and only college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player. The Lott Trophy is given to the player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation and the Legends Coaches which is a distinguished group of former college football head coaches. The sixth annual Lott Trophy dinner will be held December 13th at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, California. For more information on The Lott Trophy visit: http://www.LottTrophy.com

Pete Donovan
The Lott Trophy
760/360-0414
Plays4pars@aol.com
Thelotttrophy.com

TCU’S JERRY HUGHES NAMED LOTT TROPHY PLAYER OF THE WEEK

2009-11-17T22:53:45-08:00

TCU’S JERRY HUGHES NAMED LOTT TROPHY PLAYER OF THE WEEK

NEWPORT BEACH, Ca. – TCU Defensive End Jerry Hughes has been named the Lott Trophy IMPACT Player of the Week.

Hughes, a 6-3, 257-pound senior from Sugar Land, Texas had eight tackles, including 2.5 for losses and 1.5 sacks in a 55-28 win over Utah that kept the Horned Frogs undefeated at 10-0.

Hughes, a Lott Trophy semi-finalist, leads TCU with 10.5 sacks, 13 tackles for losses and six quarterback hurries.

TCU will receive $1,000 for its general scholarship fund in recognition of Hughes’ achievement.

“TCU lives off of their defensive pressure and Jerry Hughes is the guy that makes their defense go,” said former BYU Coach LaVell Edwards, a member of the Legends Coaches who selected the Player of the Week. “Without his outstanding play every week, TCU would just be another good team.”

Other players nominated for the Player of the Week were Rolando McClain of Alabama, Sam Acho of Texas, Gerald McCoy of Oklahoma and Ndamukong Suh of Nebraska.

2009 Lott Trophy IMPACT Players of the Week

Week 1 – Mike Nixon, Arizona State

Week 2 – Derrick Morgan, Georgia Tech

Week 3 – Eric Berry, Tennessee

Week 4 – Pat Angerer, Iowa

Week 5 – Taylor Mays, USC

Week 6 – Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska

Week 7 – Rolando McClain, Alabama

Week 8 – Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska

Week 9 – Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri

Week 10 – Eric Berry, Tennessee

Week 11 – Jerry Hughes, TCU

Past winners of The Lott Trophy:

2004 – David Pollack, Georgia

2005 – DeMeco Ryans, Alabama

2006 – Dante Hughes, California

2007 – Glenn Dorsey, LSU

2008 – James Laurinaitis, Ohio State

In five years, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation has donated more than $650,000 to various charities, including $25,000 to each of the winners’ universities.

Watching The Watch List

Sam Acho, Texas – Five tackles and forced fumble in 47-14 win over Baylor.

Rolando McClain, Alabama – Ten tackles, 2.5 for losses and a sack in 31-3 win over Mississippi State.

Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska – Two quarterback hurries and 2.5 tackles in 31-17 win over Kansas.

Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma – Four tackles, 1.5 for losses and a quarterback hurry in 65-10 win over Texas A&M.

Taylor Mays, USC – Eleven tackles and a fumble recovery in loss to Stanford, 55-21.

Named after Pro Football Hall of Fame member, Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy is awarded to college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. Founded in 2004 by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, The Lott Trophy is the first and only college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player. The Lott Trophy is given to the player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation and the Legends Coaches which is a distinguished group of former college football head coaches. The sixth annual Lott Trophy dinner will be held December 13th at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, California. For more information on The Lott Trophy visit: http://www.LottTrophy.com

LOTT TROPHY NAMES EIGHT SEMI-FINALISTS

2009-11-12T02:18:39-08:00

Nov. 11, 2009

LOTT TROPHY NAMES EIGHT SEMI-FINALISTS

Newport Beach, Ca. – The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation has announced the eight semi-finalists for the 2009 Lott Trophy.

The list includes two safeties, two defensive tackles, one linebacker and three defensive ends.

The eight semi-finalists are: Safety Eric Berry of Tennessee (a semi-finalist last year), Safety Taylor Mays of USC, Defensive Tackle Ndaumkong Suh of Nebraska, Defensive Tackle Gerald McCoy of Oklahoma, Linebacker Rolando McClain of Alabama, Defensive End Sam Acho of Texas, Defensive End Jerry Hughes of TCU and Defensive End Eric Norwood of South Carolina.

Ballots will be sent to over 300 members of the Lott Trophy National Voter Panel, a list that includes Hall of Fame coaches and players, select members of the media and distinguished business leaders throughout the country.

The four finalists will be announced Nov. 24 and they will travel to the sixth annual Lott Trophy Banquet Dec. 13 where the winner will be announced.

A look at the eight semi-finalists:

Eric Berry (Safety, Jr., Tennessee, 5-11, 195, Fairburn, Ga.): Has 14 career interceptions and 494 return yards, second most in NCAA history. Consensus All-American and SEC Defensive Player of the Year last season. Lott Player of the Week twice. “That guy is one of the most dominant players in the country. There is no better safety in college football today.” - Former UCLA Coach Terry Donahue, a member of the Board of Directors of the IMPACT Foundation.

Taylor Mays (Safety, Sr., USC, 6-4, 225, Seattle): All-American his last two seasons at Southern California. Team captain. Lott Player of the Week against Cal. “Taylor Mays is a man of character and integrity. His leadership skills are demonstrated on and off the field.” - Mimi Butler, USC Student Athlete Academic Services.

Gerald McCoy (DT, Jr., Oklahoma, 6-4, 300, Oklahoma City): All-American and team captain. Has 12 tackles for losses this season. “One of the most outstanding young men I have been honored to coach. He is a young man focused on goodness in his own life and in finding ways to spread it to others.” - Bob Stoops, Head Football Coach, Oklahoma.

Ndamukong Suh (DT, Sr., Nebraska, 6-4, 300, Portland, Oregon): Has blocked three kicks this year. Lott Player of the Week twice. Eleven tackles for losses. ” I have had the good fortune to work with a number of outstanding players, great leaders and men of excellent character. I can assure you that Ndamukong Suh ranks right near the top of that list when you evaluate his total impact on our football program.” - Bo Pelini, Head Coach, Nebraska.

Rolando McClain (LB, Jr., Alabama, 6-4, 249, Decatur, Ga.): Leads undefeated Tide in tackles with 66. “He is the best defensive player I have seen this year. No, make that the best defensive player I’ve seen in many years.” – Former Auburn Head Coach Pat Dye.

Sam Acho (DE, Jr., Texas, 6-3, 260, Dallas): Leads nation with four fumbles recovered*26 tackles, 5 sacks, 8 tackles for losses*Texas Athletic Director’s Honor Roll four straight times*Academic All-District in ‘09*Went on medical mission to Nigeria with his father and brother this past summer* “Sam stands out to me as an especially accomplished and earnest student-athlete. Quite simply, he is a great young man—and a tremendous football player.” - William Powers, Jr., President, University of Texas

Jerry Hughes (DE, Sr., TCU, 6-3, 267, Sugar Land, Texas): Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year last season when he led the country in sacks with 15. Has nine sacks this year for undefeated TCU. “Jerry Hughes is among the very few… Few who have the integrity to always, without fail, select the right path. Instead, he is an encourager who motivates and uplifts others.—Le Ann Roberts, Communications Studies, TCU.

Eric Norwood (DE, Sr., South Carolina, 6-0, 249, Acworth, Ga.): “Has 62 tackles, seven sacks (28 in his career with 51.5 tackles for losses). Team captain. “He’s the way we want our student-athletes to be, I think he epitomizes it. I can talk forever about him, that’s how strongly I feel about him and his character.” - Raymond M. Harrison, Jr., Director of Academics and Life Skills, University of South Carolina.

Past winners of The Lott Trophy:

2004 – David Pollack, Georgia

2005 – DeMeco Ryans, Alabama

2006 – Dante Hughes, California

2007 – Glenn Dorsey, LSU

2008 – James Laurinaitis, Ohio State

In five years, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation has donated more than $650,000 to various charities, including $25,000 to each of the winners’ universities.

Named after Pro Football Hall of Fame member, Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy is awarded to college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. Founded in 2004 by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, The Lott Trophy is the first and only college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player. The Lott Trophy is given to the player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation and the Legends Coaches which is a distinguished group of former college football head coaches. The sixth annual Lott Trophy dinner will be held December 13th at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, California. For more information on The Lott Trophy visit: http://www.LottTrophy.com.

Pete Donovan
The Lott Trophy
760/360-0414
Plays4pars@aol.com
Thelotttrophy.com

TENNESSEE’S ERIC BERRY NAMED LOTT PLAYER OF THE WEEK FOR SECOND TIME THIS SEASON

2009-11-11T17:58:03-08:00

TENNESSEE’S ERIC BERRY NAMED LOTT
PLAYER OF THE WEEK FOR SECOND TIME THIS SEASON

NEWPORT BEACH, Ca. – Tennessee Safety Eric Berry has been named the Lott Trophy IMPACT Player of the Week for the second time this season.
Berry, a 5-11, 195-pound junior from Fairburn, Georgia, had an interception, a fumble recovery and five tackles in Tennessee’s 56-28 win over Memphis. It was the second time this year Berry was named the Lott Trophy Player of the Week.
Tennessee will receive $1,000 for its general scholarship fund in recognition of Berry’s achievement.
“Berry can flat out play,” said former Auburn Coach Pat Dye, a member of the Legends Coaches who selected the Player of the Week. “He can dominate a team from the defensive side of the ball, which is awfully hard to do. He’s the best safety in the country, in my opinoin.”
Other players nominated for the Player of the Week were Rolando McClain of Alabama, Ndamukong Suh of Nebraska, Kyle Wilson of Boise State and Greg Jones of Michigan State.
2009 Lott Trophy IMPACT Players of the Week
Week 1 – Mike Nixon, Arizona State
Week 2 – Derrick Morgan, Georgia Tech
Week 3 – Eric Berry, Tennessee
Week 4 – Pat Angerer, Iowa
Week 5 – Taylor Mays, USC
Week 6 – Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska
Week 7 – Rolando McClain, Alabama
Week 8 – Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska
Week 9 – Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri
Week 10 - Eric Berry, Tennessee
Named after Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott, the Lott Trophy is awarded to college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. Now in its sixth year, the Lott Trophy is the first college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player.
Sponsored by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation in Newport Beach, the award is given to the player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.
Past winners of The Lott Trophy:
2004 – David Pollack, Georgia
2005 – DeMeco Ryans, Alabama
2006 – Dante Hughes, California
2007 – Glenn Dorsey, LSU
2008 – James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
In five years, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation has donated more than $650,000 to various charities, including $25,000 to each of the winners’ universities.
Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the IMPACT Foundation, the IMPACT Foundation Board of Advisors comprised of retired NFL players and the Legends Coaches, a distinguished group of former college head coaches.
Watching The Watch List

Kyle Wilson, Boise State - Had four punt returns for 83 yrds, including a long of 59, one interception and three tackles in 45-35 win over Louisiana Tech..

Rolando McClain, Alabama - Led team with nine tackles and had a quarterback hurry in 24-15 win over LSU.

Greg Jones, Michigan State - Had eight tackles, a forced fumble and two quarterback hurries in 49-14 win over Western Michigan.
Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska - Blocked a field goal (his third block of the season) and had three quarterback hurries in 10-3 win over Oklahoma.

Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri - 11 tackles, two for losses and a sack in 40-32 loss to Baylor.

Pat Angerer, Iowa - Team high 17 tackles in loss to Northwestern, 17-10.

Eric Norwood, South Carolina - Eight tackles, two for losses and a sack in 22-16 loss to Arkansas.

Named after Pro Football Hall of Fame member, Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy is awarded to college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. Founded in 2004 by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, The Lott Trophy is the first and only college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player. The Lott Trophy is given to the player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation and the Legends Coaches which is a distinguished group of former college football head coaches. The sixth annual Lott Trophy dinner will be held December 13th at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, California. For more information on The Lott Trophy visit: http://www.LottTrophy.com

Pete Donovan
The Lott Trophy
760/360-0414
Plays4pars@aol.com
Thelotttrophy.com

MISSOURI’S SEAN WEATHERSPOON NAMED LOTT TROPHY PLAYER OF THE WEEK

2009-11-04T05:08:47-08:00

NEWPORT BEACH, Ca. – Missouri Linebacker Sean Weatherspoon has been named the Lott Trophy IMPACT Player of the Week.

Weatherspoon, a 6-2, 245-pound senior from Jasper, Texas led the Tigers with 12 tackles in a 36-17 win over Colorado. Missouri’s defense held the Buffaloes to -14 yards rushing.

Weatherspoon, a Lott Trophy quarter-finalist the past two years, now has 73 tackles on the season to lead the team and 375 in his career.

Missouri will receive $1,000 for its general scholarship fund in recognition of Weatherspoon’s achievement.

“Weatherspoon is a big, agile linebacker who has been a standout for the past two seasons,” said former Washington Coach Don James, a member of the Legends Coaches who selected the Player of the Week. “His steady play against Colorado kept the Buffaloes offense stymied all day long.”
Other players nominated for the Player of the Week were Jerry Hughes of TCU, Pat Angerer of Iowa, Kyle Wilson of Boise State and Greg Jones of Michigan State.

2009 Lott Trophy IMPACT Players of the Week

Week 1 – Mike Nixon, Arizona State

Week 2 – Derrick Morgan, Georgia Tech

Week 3 – Eric Berry, Tennessee

Week 4 – Pat Angerer, Iowa

Week 5 – Taylor Mays, USC

Week 6 – Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska

Week 7 – Rolando McClain, Alabama

Week 8 – Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska

Week 9 – Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri

Past winners of The Lott Trophy:

2004 – David Pollack, Georgia

2005 – DeMeco Ryans, Alabama

2006 – Dante Hughes, California

2007 – Glenn Dorsey, LSU

2008 – James Laurinaitis, Ohio State

In five years, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation has donated more than $650,000 to various charities, including $25,000 to each of the winners’ universities.

Watching The Watch List

Greg Jones, Michigan State – Game high 12 tackles (with one sack) in 42-34 loss to Minnesota.

Jerry Hughes, TCU – 5 tackles and a quarterback hurry in 41-0 win over UNLV.

Kyle Wilson, Boise State – Returned an interception for 27 yards and a touchdown in 45-7 win over San Jose State.

Mike Nixon, Arizona State – Had 7 tackles, 2 for losses, a forced fumble and 2 passes broken up in 23-21 loss to Cal.

Taylor Mays, USC – Had 8 tackles in 47-20 loss to Oregon.

Pat Angerer, Iowa – Led team with 12 tackles and had a forced fumble in 42-24 win over Indiana.

Eric Norwood, South Carolina – 6 tackles, 2 pass breakups and a quarterback hurry in 31-13 loss to Tennessee.

Alterraun Verner, UCLA – 9 tackles, 1 pass broken up in loss to Oregon State, 26-17.

Named after Pro Football Hall of Fame member, Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy is awarded to college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. Founded in 2004 by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, The Lott Trophy is the first and only college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player. The Lott Trophy is given to the player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation and the Legends Coaches which is a distinguished group of former college football head coaches. The sixth annual Lott Trophy dinner will be held December 13th at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, California. For more information on The Lott Trophy visit: http://www.LottTrophy.com

Pete Donovan
The Lott Trophy
760/360-0414
Plays4pars@aol.com
Thelotttrophy.com

BOSTON COLLEGE’S MARK HERZLICH TO RECEIVE HONORAY LOTT TROPHY

2009-11-02T21:33:44-08:00

BOSTON COLLEGE’S MARK HERZLICH

TO RECEIVE HONORAY LOTT TROPHY

Newport Beach, Ca. – Boston College Linebacker Mark Herzlich, who has missed the entire 2009 football season while undergoing treatment for cancer, will receive an honorary Lott Trophy, it was announced today by the Board of Directors of The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, sponsors of the award.

It is only the second time an honorary Lott Trophy has been awarded, the first going to the family of Pat Tillman in 2004. Tillman, the former college and NFL standout, volunteered for the military and was killed in Afghanistan.

“Mark Herzlich represents all that is good in today’s student-athlete and epitomizes what we look for in Lott Trophy candidates,” said John Hamilton, Chairman of the Board of the IMPACT Foundation. “His perseverance, attitude and good works are an inspiration to all of us who love college football.”

Herzlich, a senior from Wayne, Pa., was the ACC Defensive Player of the Year last season and also an Academic all-conference selection majoring in finance. He led Boston College in tackles with 113 and had six interceptions. He was a quarter-finalist for The Lott Trophy in 2008 and on the Watch List for 2009.

Past winners of The Lott Trophy:

2004 – David Pollack, Georgia

2005 – DeMeco Ryans, Alabama

2006 – Dante Hughes, California

2007 – Glenn Dorsey, LSU

2008 – James Laurinaitis, Ohio State

In five years, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation has donated more than $650,000 to various charities, including $25,000 to each of the winners’ universities.

Named after Pro Football Hall of Fame member, Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy is awarded to college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. Founded in 2004 by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, The Lott Trophy is the first and only college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player. The Lott Trophy is given to the player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation and the Legends Coaches which is a distinguished group of former college football head coaches. The sixth annual Lott Trophy dinner will be held December 13th at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, California. For more information on The Lott Trophy visit: http://www.LottTrophy.com.

NEBRASKA’S SUH NAMED LOTT TROPHY PLAYER OF THE WEEK

2009-10-27T17:13:44-08:00

NEBRASKA’S SUH NAMED LOTT TROPHY PLAYER OF THE WEEK

NEWPORT BEACH, Ca. – Nebraska Defensive Tackle Ndamukong Suh has been named the Lott Trophy IMPACT Player of the Week.

Suh, a 6-4, 300-pound senior from Portland, Oregon blocked a field goal and a PAT, added a sack, three quarterback hurries and eight total tackles in a 9-7 loss to Iowa State. It was the second time this season Suh has been named the Lott Trophy IMPACT Player of the Week.

The Nebraska Defensive Most Valuable Player last year, Suh was on the Big 12 Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll this past spring and is scheduled to receive his degree in construction management this December.

Nebraska will receive $1,000 for its general scholarship fund in recognition of Suh’s accomplishment.

“Ndamukong Suh has been as dominant a defensive lineman as I have observed in college football this year,” said former Nebraska Coach Tom Osborne (and current Cornhusker Athletic Director), a member of the Legends Coaches who selected the Player of the Week. “He pursues sideline to sideline, is a great pass rusher, and makes it almost impossible for anyone to run the ball effectively through the middle of our line. He has exceptional speed, athleticism, power, and tenacity as well as being a very intelligent football player.”
Other players nominated for the Player of the Week were Jerry Hughes of TCU, Pat Angerer of Iowa, Sean Weatherspoon of Missouri and Greg Jones of Michigan State.

2009 Lott Trophy IMPACT Players of the Week

Week 1 – Mike Nixon, Arizona State

Week 2 – Derrick Morgan, Georgia Tech

Week 3 – Eric Berry, Tennessee

Week 4 – Pat Angerer, Iowa

Week 5 – Taylor Mays, USC

Week 6 – Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska

Week 7 – Rolando McClain, Alabama

Week 8 – Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska

Past winners of The Lott Trophy:

2004 – David Pollack, Georgia

2005 – DeMeco Ryans, Alabama

2006 – Dante Hughes, California

2007 – Glenn Dorsey, LSU

2008 – James Laurinaitis, Ohio State

In five years, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation has donated more than $650,000 to various charities, including $25,000 to each of the winners’ universities.

Watching The Watch List

Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri – 11 tackles, 3 for losses with one sack; an interception and a pass broken up in 41-7 loss to Texas.

Greg Jones, Michigan State – Game high 12 tackles in 15-13 loss to Iowa.

Jerry Hughes, TCU – 1 sack (9 on the season), a forced fumble, a quarterback hurry and 4 tackles in 38-7 win over BYU.

Taylor Mays, USC – Had 11 tackles in win over State, 42-36.

Pat Angerer, Iowa – Led team with 9 tackles in win over Michigan State, 15-13.

Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma – Had 2 tackles for losses, a pass broken up and 4 tackles in 35-13 win over Kansas.

Eric Berry , Tennessee – 5 tackles, forced fumble, fumble recovery, 2 passes broken up and a quarterback hurry in 12-10 loss to Alabama.

Rolando McClain, Alabama – 8 tackles (1/2 for loss) in 12-10 win over Tennessee.

Eric Norwood, South Carolina – 2 tackles for losses, a pass break up and a quarterback hurry in 14-10 win over Vanderbilt.

Kurt Coleman, Ohio State – Interception return for 40 yards plus 4 tackles in 38-7 win over Minnesota.

Joe Pawelek, Baylor – 10 tackles (led team) in 34-7 loss to Oklahoma State.

Named after Pro Football Hall of Fame member, Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy is awarded to college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. Founded in 2004 by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, The Lott Trophy is the first and only college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player. The Lott Trophy is given to the player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation and the Legends Coaches which is a distinguished group of former college football head coaches. The sixth annual Lott Trophy dinner will be held December 13th at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, California. For more information on The Lott Trophy visit: http://www.LottTrophy.com.

Pete Donovan
The Lott Trophy
760/360-0414
Plays4pars@aol.com
Thelotttrophy.com

LOTT TROPHY NAMES QUARTER-FINALISTS

2009-10-20T22:43:53-08:00

LOTT TROPHY NAMES QUARTER-FINALISTS

NEWPORT BEACH, Ca. – The Pacific Club IMPACT* Foundation has announced the 20 quarter-finalists for the annual Lott Trophy.

Sponsored by The Pacific Club IMPACT* Foundation in Newport Beach, the award is given to the player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.

The quarter-finalists (alphabetically)

Sam Acho (DL, Texas)

Pat Angerer (LB, Iowa)

Eric Berry (DB, Tennessee)

Kurt Coleman (DB, Ohio State)

Jerry Hughes (DL, TCU)

Greg Jones (LB, Michigan State)

Trevard Lindley (DB, Kentucky)

Taylor Mays (DB, USC)

Rolando McClain (LB, Alabama)

Gerald McCoy (DL, Oklahoma)

Mike Nixon (LB, Arizona State)

Eric Norwood (DL, South Carolina)

Joe Pawelek (LB, Baylor)

Brian Price (DL, UCLA)

Brandon Spikes (LB, Florida)

Darrell Stuckey (DB, Kansas)

Ndamukong Suh (DL, Nebraska)

Alterraun Verner (DB, UCLA)

Sean Weatherspoon (LB, Missouri)

Kyle Wilson (DB, Boise State)

There are eight defensive backs on the quarter-finalist list; six linebackers and six defensive linemen. The Big 12 has six players on the list, the SEC five, the Pac-10 four, the Big Ten three and one each from the Mountain West and WAC..

The semi-finalists will be announced Nov. 3 and the four finalists Nov. 24. Those four finalists will be flown to Newport Beach, Ca. for the annual black-tie banquet that will be televised by FOX Sports West.

Past winners of The Lott Trophy:

2004 – David Pollack, Georgia

2005 – DeMeco Ryans, Alabama

2006 – Dante Hughes, California

2007 – Glenn Dorsey, LSU

2008 – James Laurinaitis, Ohio State

In five years, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation has donated more than $650,000 to various charities, including $25,000 to each of the winners’ universities.

Named after Pro Football Hall of Fame member, Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy is awarded to college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. Founded in 2004 by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, The Lott Trophy is the first and only college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player. The Lott Trophy is given to the player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation and the Legends Coaches which is a distinguished group of former college football head coaches. The sixth annual Lott Trophy dinner will be held December 13th at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, California. For more information on The Lott Trophy visit: http://www.LottTrophy.com.

Media Contact: Pete Donovan

Media Relations, The Lott Trophy

714.315.9575 / Plays4pars@aol.com

ALABAMA’S McCLAIN NAMED LOTT TROPHY PLAYER OF THE WEEK

2009-10-19T21:42:21-08:00

ALABAMA’S McCLAIN NAMED LOTT TROPHY PLAYER OF THE WEEK

NEWPORT BEACH, Ca. – Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain has been named the Lott Trophy IMPACT Player of the Week.

McClain, a 6-4, 258-pound junior from Decatur, Alabama, was credited with 7 tackles (one for a loss) and two quarterback hurries as Alabama held South Carolina without a touchdown in a 20-6 win. Alabama’s defense is ranked No. 1 in the country and the Tide is 7-0.

An All SEC selection last season as a sophomore, McClain has also made it on the SEC Academic Honor Roll.

Alabama will receive $1,000 for its general scholarship fund in recognition of McClain’s accomplishment.

“This guy shows up every single Saturday,” said former Auburn Coach Pat Dye, a member of the Legends Coaches who selected the Player of the Week. “He is the best defensive player I have seen this year. No, make that the best defensive player I’ve seen in many years.”

Other players nominated for the Player of the Week were Greg Jones of Michigan State, Gerald McCoy of Oklahoma, Pat Angerer of Iowa and Darrell Stuckey of Kansas.

2009 Lott Trophy IMPACT Players of the Week

Week 1 – Mike Nixon, Arizona State

Week 2 – Derrick Morgan, Georgia Tech

Week 3 – Eric Berry, Tennessee

Week 4 – Pat Angerer, Iowa

Week 5 – Taylor Mays, USC

Week 6 – Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska

Week 7 – Rolando McClain, Alabama

Past winners of The Lott Trophy:

2004 – David Pollack, Georgia

2005 – DeMeco Ryans, Alabama

2006 – Dante Hughes, California

2007 – Glenn Dorsey, LSU

2008 – James Laurinaitis, Ohio State

In five years, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation has donated more than $650,000 to various charities, including $25,000 to each of the winners’ universities.

Watching The Watch List

Greg Jones, Michigan State – Recorded 14 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 quarterback hurries and one pass break up in Spartans’ 24-14 win over Northwestern.

Jerry Hughes, TCU – 2 sacks (to give him 8 on the season) in 44-6 wi over Colorado State to keep TCU undefeated at 6-0.

Taylor Mays, USC – Had 10 tackles in win over Notre Dame, 34-27.

Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska – Credited with 4 quarterback hurries and 2 tackles for losses in 31-10 loss to Texas Tech.

Pat Angerer, Iowa – His 9 tackles included a sack in 20-10 win over Wisconsin to keep Hawkeyes undefeated.

Darrell Stuckey, Kansas – Led team with 12 tackles and added an interception in loss to Colorado, 34-30.

Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma – Credited with 5 quarterback hurries and 2 tackles for loss (with a sack) in 16-13 loss to Texas.

Kurt Coleman, Ohio State – 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery in loss to Purdue, 26-18.

Joe Pawelek, Baylor – 10 tackles, one pass break up in loss to Iowa State, 24-10.

INJURIES: Kentucky’s Trevard Lindley has missed the last two games with an ankle injury while Florida’s Brandon Spikes was forced to the sidelines with a groin problem during the Gators’ game with Arkansas.

Named after Pro Football Hall of Fame member, Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy is awarded to college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. Founded in 2004 by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, The Lott Trophy is the first and only college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player. The Lott Trophy is given to the player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation and the Legends Coaches which is a distinguished group of former college football head coaches. The sixth annual Lott Trophy dinner will be held December 13th at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, California. For more information on The Lott Trophy visit: http://www.LottTrophy.com.

Pete Donovan
The Lott Trophy
760/360-0414
Plays4pars@aol.com
Thelotttrophy.com

LOTT CANDIDATE SHOWS KIDS THE RIGHT WAY

2009-10-14T21:44:19-08:00

LOTT CANDIDATE SHOWS KIDS THE RIGHT WAY

What do you do on your day off?

If you’re a USC football All-American headed to a huge NFL contract, you could do about anything you want. The beach. Sleep late. Flip on the TV.

But Taylor Mays chose to spend last Saturday, a bye weekend for the No. 5-ranked Trojans, going to a youth football clinic in the Watts area of Los Angeles and spread both fun and advise to underprivileged kids.

“To get to where you want in life, you’ve got to be able to do the right things,” Mays told the kids, who were all in awe of the 6-3, 230-pound senior’s remarkable physique and easy-going manner.

It is that kind of community involvement – along with his impressive football accomplishments—that makes Mays a quarter-finalist for the annual Lott Trophy, given to the student-athlete who combines on field success with off-field dedication.

“These are the kind of out-reach involvements our candidates for the Lott Trophy exhibit all the time,” said Bob Cristiano, President of the Pacifc Club’s IMPACT Foundation, sponsors of the annual award. “Taylor is one of those outstanding young men we are proud to consider for the award.”

The winner of the award will be announced at a banquet Dec. 13 at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach.

To see Mays and his teammates at work on their day off, go to: http://all-access.cbssports.com/player.html?code=usc&media=144388

Named after Pro Football Hall of Fame member, Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy is awarded to college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. Founded in 2004 by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, The Lott Trophy is the first and only college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player. The Lott Trophy is given to the player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation and the Legends Coaches which is a distinguished group of former college football head coaches. The sixth annual Lott Trophy dinner will be held December 13th at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, California. For more information on The Lott Trophy visit: http://www.LottTrophy.com.

Pete Donovan
The Lott Trophy
760/360-0414
Plays4pars@aol.com
Thelotttrophy.com

NEBRASKA’S SUH NAMED LOTT TROPHY PLAYER OF THE WEEK

2009-10-12T19:34:04-08:00

NEWPORT BEACH, Ca. – Nebraska Defensive Tackle Ndamukong Suh has been named the Lott Trophy IMPACT Player of the Week.

Suh, a 6-4, 300-pound senior from Portland, Oregon intercepted a pass that led to a touchdown that put the Cornhuskers ahead in a game they eventually won, 27-12, over Missouri. Suh also forced a fumble, recorded a sack and was credited with six tackles. He now has four interceptions in his career, a school record for defensive tackles.

Nebraska will receive $1,000 for its general scholarship fund in recognition of Suh’s accomplishment.

“I saw this game in person and was I ever impressed with the quickness and athleticism of Suh,” said former Washington Coach Don James, a member of the Legends Coaches who selected the Player of the Week. “It is hard to believe he is a defensive tackle with those skills and that big body. He almost had a second interception that just slipped out of his grasp – a very dominating performance.”

Other players nominated for the Player of the Week were Rolando McClain of Alabama, Eric Berry of Tennessee, Brandon Spikes of Florida and Kurt Coleman of Ohio State.

2009 Lott Trophy IMPACT Players of the Week

Week 1 – Mike Nixon, Arizona State

Week 2 – Derrick Morgan, Georgia Tech

Week 3 – Eric Berry, Tennessee

Week 4 – Pat Angerer, Iowa

Week 5 – Taylor Mays, USC

Week 6 – Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska

Past winners of The Lott Trophy:

2004 – David Pollack, Georgia

2005 – DeMeco Ryans, Alabama

2006 – Dante Hughes, California

2007 – Glenn Dorsey, LSU

2008 – James Laurinaitis, Ohio State

In five years, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation has donated more than $650,000 to various charities, including $25,000 to each of the winners’ universities.

Watching The Watch List

Brandon Spikes, Florida – Had two key sacks in the closing minutes of the game as Gators defeated LSU, 13-3, to remain undefeated. Spikes finished with a team high 11 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska – Had interception that led to go-ahead touchdown in 27-12 win over Missouri. Had six tackles, a forced fumble and the interception (the fourth of his career, most in school history for a defensive tackle).

Rolando McClain, Alabama – Had an interception, a quarterback hurry, a tackle for a loss and 7 total tackles in win over Ole Miss, 22-3.

Kurt Coleman, Ohio State – Returned an interception 89 yards for a touchdown and had 14 tackles for Buckeyes in 31-13 win over Wisconsin.

Greg Jones, Michigan State – Team best 11 tackles, a sack and 2 quarterback hurries in win over Illinois, 24-14.

Roddrick Muckelroy, Texas – Led Longhorns with 11 tackles, including 2 tackles for losses, a sack and 2 passes broken up in 38-14 win over Colorado.

Sam Acho, Texas – Had 3 tackles for losses, a sack and 5 tackles in win over Colorado, 38-14.

Darrell Stuckey, Kansas – Led Jayhawks with 14 tackles (one for a loss) in 41-36 win over Iowa State.

Eric Berry, Tennessee – Returned a fumble 46 yards, broke up two passes and had five tackles in 45-19 win over Georgia.

Pat Angerer, Iowa – 12 tackles in win over Michigan, 30-28.

Brandon Graham, Michigan – 9 tackles, 2 sacks, 3.5 tackles for losses in loss to Iowa, 30-28.

INJURIES: Penn State’s Sean Lee sat out a third consecutive week with a knee injury…Kentucky’s Trevard Lindley missed the South Carolina game with an ankle injury.

Named after Pro Football Hall of Fame member, Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy is awarded to college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. Founded in 2004 by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, The Lott Trophy is the first and only college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player. The Lott Trophy is given to the player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation and the Legends Coaches which is a distinguished group of former college football head coaches. The sixth annual Lott Trophy dinner will be held December 13th at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, California. For more information on The Lott Trophy visit: http://www.LottTrophy.com.

Pete Donovan
The Lott Trophy
760/360-0414
Plays4pars@aol.com
Thelotttrophy.com

LOTT TROPHY ADDS FOUR PLAYERS TO WATCH LIST

2009-10-07T19:32:34-08:00

LOTT TROPHY ADDS FOUR PLAYERS TO WATCH LIST

NEWPORT BEACH, Ca. – Four standout defensive players have been added to the Watch List for the 2009 Lott Trophy, it was announced by the Pacific Club’s IMPACT Foundation, sponsors of the award.

Sam Acho of Texas, Trevard Lindley of Kentucky, Brian Price of UCLA and Kyle Wilson of Boise State have been nominated for the award along with 40 other players who were announced earlier this year.

Acho is a 6-3, 260-pound junior defensive end from Dallas. He leads the nation in fumbles recovered with four and has been on the Texas Athletic Director’s Honor Roll four straight times. This past summer he went on a medical mission to Nigeria with his father and brother.

Lindley is a 6-0, 179-pound senior defensive back from Hiram, Ga. who has recorded 171 tackles and 10 interceptions during his Wildcat career. He has started 43 consecutive games and has already received a degree from Kentucky in art studio.

Price is a 6-2, 300-pound junior defensive tackle from Los Angeles, who anchors the Bruins’ defensive line. He has 7 tackles for losses and 2 sacks to date this season.

Wilson is a 5-10, 186-pound senior cornerback from Piscataway, New Jersey. He’s the captain of the Bronco defense, was an All-WAC selection last season and is an honor student, posting a 4.0 GPA in the spring. Wilson is on track to graduate in December.

Past winners of The Lott Trophy:

2004 – David Pollack, Georgia

2005 – DeMeco Ryans, Alabama

2006 – Dante Hughes, California

2007 – Glenn Dorsey, LSU

2008 – James Laurinaitis, Ohio State

In five years, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation has donated more than $650,000 to various charities, including $25,000 to each of the winners’ universities.

Named after Pro Football Hall of Fame member, Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy is awarded to college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. Founded in 2004 by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, The Lott Trophy is the first and only college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player. The Lott Trophy is given to the player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation and the Legends Coaches which is a distinguished group of former college football head coaches. The sixth annual Lott Trophy dinner will be held December 13th at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, California. For more information on The Lott Trophy visit: http://www.LottTrophy.com.

Media Contact: Pete Donovan

Media Relations, The Lott Trophy

714.315.9575 / Plays4pars@aol.com

USC’S TAYLOR MAYS NAMED LOTT TROPHY PLAYER OF THE WEEK

2009-10-06T23:08:27-08:00

USC’S TAYLOR MAYS NAMED LOTT TROPHY PLAYER OF THE WEEK

NEWPORT BEACH, Ca. – USC Safety Taylor Mays has been named the Lott Trophy IMPACT Player of the Week.

Mays, a 6-3, 235-pound senior from Seattle, had a team high 10 tackles and an interception in the end zone that ended Cal’s opening drive in a 30-3 win over the Golden Bears Saturday that moved the Trojans to 4-1.

USC will receive $1,000 for its general scholarship fund in recognition of Mays’ accomplishment.

“Mays’ interception sucked the air out of any confidence Cal might have had coming into the USC game,” said former USC Coach John Robinson, a member of the Legends Coaches who selected the Player of the Week. “That set the tone for the game. Mays’ play told the Cal players, ‘You can’t score on us.’ After that play, Cal folded.”

Other players nominated for the Player of the Week were Eric Norwood of South Carolina, Rolando McClain of Alabama, Eric Berry of Tennessee and Jerry Hughes of TCU.

2009 Lott Trophy IMPACT Players of the Week

Week 1 – Mike Nixon, Arizona State

Week 2 – Derrick Morgan, Georgia Tech

Week 3 – Eric Berry, Tennessee

Week 4 – Pat Angerer, Iowa

Week 5 – Taylor Mays, USC

Past winners of The Lott Trophy:

2004 – David Pollack, Georgia

2005 – DeMeco Ryans, Alabama

2006 – Dante Hughes, California

2007 – Glenn Dorsey, LSU

2008 – James Laurinaitis, Ohio State

In five years, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation has donated more than $650,000 to various charities, including $25,000 to each of the winners’ universities.

Watching The Watch List

Rolando McClain, Alabama – Forced a fumble that led to a touchdown and intercepted a pass (returned 21 yards) that led to a touchdown in 38-20 win over Kentucky. Led Tide with 10 tackles.

Eric Norwood, South Carolina- Blocked a field goal and had an interception in 38-14 win over South Carolina State. Also credited with 2 quarterback hurries.

Jerry Hughes, TCU – Recorded 2 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and 8 total tackles in 39-14 win over SMU. TCU held SMU to -16 yards rushing and no first downs on the ground.

Eric Berry, Tennessee – Had team high 14 tackles, one for a loss and a pass breakup in loss to Auburn, 26-22.

Reed Williams, West Virginia – Led team with 9 tackles and had 3 passes broken up in 35-24 win over Colorado.

Greg Jones, Michigan State – Had 8 tackles, one for a loss and a fumble recovery that he returned 15 yards in overtime win over Michigan, 26-20.

Pat Angerer, Iowa – Led Hawkeyes with 11 tackles in 24-21 win over Arkansas State.

Brian Duncan, Texas Tech-8 tackles, 1 for a loss and 2 pass breakups in 48-28 win over New Mexico.

INJURIES-Penn State Linebacker Sean Lee missed his second consecutive week with a sprained knee injury.

ALSO OUT-Ohio State Defensive Back Kurt Coleman sat out the Indiana game after being suspended by the Big Ten for a late hit the previous week.

Named after Pro Football Hall of Fame member, Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy is awarded to college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. Founded in 2004 by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, The Lott Trophy is the first and only college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player. The Lott Trophy is given to the player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation and the Legends Coaches which is a distinguished group of former college football head coaches. The sixth annual Lott Trophy dinner will be held December 13th at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, California. For more information on The Lott Trophy visit: http://www.LottTrophy.com.

Media Contact: Pete Donovan

Media Relations, The Lott Trophy

714.315.9575 / Plays4pars@aol.com

IOWA’S PAT ANGERER NAMED LOTT TROPHY PLAYER OF THE WEEK

2009-09-29T15:54:08-08:00

IOWA’S PAT ANGERER NAMED LOTT TROPHY PLAYER OF THE WEEK

NEWPORT BEACH, Ca. – Iowa Linebacker Pat Angerer has been named the Lott Trophy IMPACT Player of the Week.

Angerer, a 6-1, 235-pound senior from Bettendorf, Iowa, had a team high 14 tackles, an interception (returned for 38 yards) that set up a touchdown and a forced fumble that helped seal Iowa’s 21-10 win over previously unbeaten Penn State. The Hawkeyes are 4-0.

Iowa will receive $1,000 for its general scholarship fund in recognition of Angerer’s accomplishment.

“Angerer had a great game along with the entire Iowa defense,” said former Ohio State Coach John Cooper, a member of the Legends Coaches who selected the Player of the Week. “Angerer’s interception broke Penn State’s back. If Penn State could have kept that drive alive, they could have won the game, but that interception ended their undefeated season.”

Angerer was also named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week.

Other players nominated for the Player of the Week were Eric Norwood of South Carolina, Sean Weatherspoon of Missouri, George Selvie of South Florida and Brandon Spikes of Florida.

2009 Lott Trophy IMPACT Players of the Week

Week 1 – Mike Nixon, Arizona State

Week 2 – Derrick Morgan, Georgia Tech

Week 3 – Eric Berry, Tennessee

Week 4 – Pat Angerer, Iowa

Past winners of The Lott Trophy:

2004 – David Pollack, Georgia

2005 – DeMeco Ryans, Alabama

2006 – Dante Hughes, California

2007 – Glenn Dorsey, LSU

2008 – James Laurinaitis, Ohio State

In five years, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation has donated more than $650,000 to various charities, including $25,000 to each of the winners’ universities.

Watching The Watch List

Eric Norwood , South Carolina – Recorded two sacks in his team high 10 tackles. Also had 2 quarterback hurries and a blocked punt in upset win over Mississippi, 16-10. Mississippi had only 109 yards passing on 8 for 22. Norwood now had 28 career sacks, best in school history.

Brandon Spikes, Florida – Led Gators with 10 tackles in win over Kentucky, 41-7.

George Selvie, South Florida – Had 2 tackles for loss, a sack and a fumble recovery in 17-7 win over Florida State.

Darrell Stuckey, Kansas – 7 tackles and a forced fumble as Kansas went to 4-0 with 35-28 win over Southern Mississippi.

Brian Duncan, Texas Tech – Recorded 14 tackles and broke up two passes in loss to Houston, 29-28.

Greg Jones, Michigan State – Led Spartans with 14 tackles in 38-30 loss to Wisconsin.

Kurt Coleman, Ohio State – Led Buckeyes with 9 tackles, a forced fumble and a pass breakup as Ohio State recorded second straight shutout, 30-0 over Illinois.

Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri – Had team high 9 tackles (one for a loss) as Mizzou went to 4-0 with a 31-21 win over Nevada.

Keaton Kristick , Oregon State – 12 tackles, one for a loss, in loss to Arizona, 37-32.

Injuries: Oregon’s T.J. Ward missed his third consecutive game with an ankle sprain…Penn State’s Sean Lee missed the Iowa game with a knee injury…Taylor Mays of USC returned to the lineup after missing a week…

Named after Pro Football Hall of Fame member, Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy is awarded to college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. Founded in 2004 by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, The Lott Trophy is the first and only college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player. The Lott Trophy is given to the player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation and the Legends Coaches which is a distinguished group of former college football head coaches. The sixth annual Lott Trophy dinner will be held December 13th at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, California. For more information on The Lott Trophy visit: http://www.LottTrophy.com.