The Rotary Lombardi Award program was approved by the Rotary Club in Houston in 1970 shortly after the death of Vince Lombardi. Thanks to the graciousness of Mrs. Vince Lombardi, the Club was authorized to establish the Award in Coach Lombardi's memory.

Working on a short timeline, the original committee conceived, organized and executed the first Rotary Lombardi Dinner in a matter of months.

The committee outlined the criteria for eligibility for the award, which remains in place to this day. A player should be a down lineman on either side of the ball or a linebacker who lines up no further than five yards deep from the ball. While other awards have been created to recognize various positions, the Rotary Lombardi Award remains open to all who were eligible in the initial season.

Ohio State noseguard Jim Stillwagon was named the first winner by a selection committee of 75, including current head coaches, members of the media, and former Packer stars Jerry Kramer and Willie Davis. Vice President Spiro Agnew was the main speaker at the event, which was held at the AstroWorld Hotel.

Vice President Agnew was the first of a number of notables to attend Rotary Lombardi Dinners.

Future Presidents George Bush and Ronald Reagan have also attended past dinners, as did such Hollywood legend Bob Hope. President Gerald Ford served as honoray chairman of the event in 1976 and presented the trophy that year to Wilson Whitley of the University of Houston.

Moving into our 39th year celebrating the Rotary Lombardi Award, its two key elements remain unchanged:

1. The Rotary Lombardi Award continues to be the only award open to all college linemen.
2. As stipulated by Mrs. Lombardi, net proceeds from all Award Dinners and associated activities are contributed to the American Cancer Society to help fight the disease that has claimed the lives of Vince Lombardi and so many others.

Since 1970, millions of dollars have been raised to help the American Cancer Society's programs of cancer research, public education, and direct services to cancer patients.