County’s top linemen to receive Lombardi Award

That’s when the Rotary Clubs of Monmouth County honor the county’s best senior high school linemen at the 32nd annual Vince Lombardi awards dinner at the Sheraton Hotel, Eatontown.

Players selected for the honor exemplify the traditions and ideals of the legendary Vince Lombardi. Coaches and their staffs considered discipline, courage, endurance, desire, ability and performance in choosing their winners.

Honorees will receive the Block of Granite Award, which symbolizes the famed Ford University’s 1936 Seven Blocks of Granite. Lombardi was the right guard on the legendary team. Lombardi gained fame as the coach of the Green Bay Packers in the 1960s. He coached the Packers to five National Football League titles, including a record three straight (1965-67), and victories in the first two Super Bowls.

Former New York Giants and Jets punter Dave Jennings, who is now a television and radio analyst, will serve as master of ceremonies.

Funds raised from the dinner will aid in the fight against cancer, support the 58 health and human services agencies the United Way of Monmouth County assists, and also aid in supporting the Rotary’s Haiti Project, which assists in building facilities in Haiti to service the medical, educational and spiritual needs of the people in Haiti.

Lombardi died in 1970 of colon cancer.

The Lombardi Award originally was given to college athletes only and the first recipient was Ohio State’s Jim Stillwagon in 1970.

The Rotary Clubs of Monmouth County received permission to present the award at the high school level more than 20 years ago.

The 2003 Vince Lombardi Outstanding Lineman Award winners are: James Vitucci, Colts Neck; Frank DiFranco, Freehold Borough; Dan Cooper, Freehold Township; Anthony DiAntonio, Holmdel; Mike Savoye, Howell; Pat DeNardo, Keyport; Joseph Miscia, Long Branch; Marc Gumnic, Manalapan; Craig Erickson, Matawan Regional; Joseph DeModna, Mater Dei; James Kiernan, Middletown North; Michael Murawinski, Middletown South; James Showanes, Monmouth Regional; Paul McLernan, Ocean Township; Nick Greene, Raritan; Danie Modin, Red Bank Catholic; Mark Biafore, Red Bank Regional; Austin Atwell, Rumson-Fair Haven; Chris Matthews, Shore Regional; and Phil Penta, St. John Vianney.

The Coach of the Year, Team of the Year and John Tuggle Award winners will be announced at the dinner.

Admission price for the evening, which includes reception, silent and live auctions, raffles, dinner and awards program, is $50 per person. For reservations and additional information, call the United Way of Monmouth County at (732) 938-5988.